If you plan to be a gardener, start with the right tools. A hoe, rake, hose, and spade are the minimum that you will need. Planting without these supplies will be difficult, time consuming, and sometimes even impossible. Many garden centers offer “getting started kits” with all of the supplies you will need.

An easy way to transport tools to and from the garden is to use an old golf bag. Many golf bags have a stand built into them so it makes grabbing and organizing the tools a breeze. Use the pockets in the sides of the bag to store all kinds of assorted gardening tools, seeds, and gloves, or just use them to store a refreshing beverage.

Clean your garden tools before you put them away. It seems strange to worry about keeping a gardening tool clean, but it’s actually very important for the health of your plants. Tools that are put away while coated in dirt can harbor microbes and even insects that can be deadly to your plants.

You can get most of the gardening tools you need second-hand. Visit yard sales and estate sales near you to look for gardening tools at a very low price. You can also visit online trading or donation groups to trade items you have for gardening tools, or even to find find free tools.

If you are just getting into gardening, make sure you heed all of the directions on fertilizer and chemical labels. If you do not do this very simple step, you can end up causing skin irritation problems that are very painful. So make sure you take precautions, follow the simple directions and be safe.

The best way to spread mulch on your organic garden is with a flat-headed rake. A flat-headed rake is effectively two tools in one. You can use the tined side to distribute mulch over fresh areas. When you flip the rake over, its flat side makes an efficient tool for smoothing your mulch and making sure it is distributed evenly.

 Photo by garryknight