Tips to Selecting the Best Gardening Tools

By Darlene Bishop

Different types of gardens require different types of garden tools. Hardware stores typically offer a wide range of tools, but specialty shops offer more exclusive garden tools that shout quality. Wherever you decide to shop, here are a few pointers to help you choose correctly.

Is your garden large or small? A small garden obviously won't require the same type of large garden equipment you would need for a more extensive one. For instance, a riding mower is unnecessary if you only have a small strip of lawn. Who does most of the gardening? Some tools are too heavy for use by just anyone.

When you buy secateurs, also called hand pruners or pruning shears, make sure the blade always stays sharp to avoid damaging the plant. Look for models that have blades that can be sharpened or replaced, as well as models with tension control and sizes that best fit your hands.

Hedge trimmers or shears are handy - but only if you have a hedge, or plan to grow one. Some hedge trimmers have curved blades to stop branches from sliding out when cut.

Forks are used for turning and aerating compost and for breaking up lumps of soil. The cheaper ones may not be strong enough for heavy soil, so check for sturdiness.

A shovel has a scoop blade and is best used to move dirt and garden soil. A spade has a flat blade great for cutting edges, digging and dividing plants. The edge of a spade should be kept sharp for clean and efficient cutting and to cause the least amount of damage to plants. Shovels and spades are a basic garden necessity. You need at least one of each.

While secateurs are for smaller plants like roses, pruning saws are used for pruning trees and larger shrubs. They have a narrow curved blade that fits between stems or branches easily and cuts them as you pull back on the saw.

A chipping hoe is a handy tool for getting rid of small weeds. The Dutch or push-hoe is slightly more user-friendly of the available choices since the action required to use it does not jar the neck and shoulder quite so much.

A rake is also a basic requirement for the garden. A strong rake with a flat head and sharp metal prongs is used for smoothing a garden bed and getting out the last of the bumps and weeds. A plastic rake is used to gather leaves and grass clippings and shouldn't be expected to perform heavier tasks.

While these are just a few of your options, you can see the variety of tools available to help you maintain a lush, healthy garden. Keep in mind that gardening tools don't have to be expensive. Many online shops can offer excellent deals for the tools you need. And you could even be blessed enough to find some things at flea markets or yard sales.

Article © 2007 by Darlene Bishop.

Darlene "Dee" Bishop is the owner of Bishop's Corner, an online/catalog shop offering over 3,500 quality gifts, home decor items, toys, housewares, gardener's delights and much more for every budget. Contact her online at http://bishopscornerweb.com today.

Japanese Gardens Influence Japanese Interior Decorating

By Andrew Caxton

There are a couple of fixed images I have when I think about Japanese gardens. One is a bonsai tree, and the other is the art of Zen. Bonsai has become to me the definitive idea of Japanese gardening with beautiful images in small spaces. And Zen represents a Japanese garden in my mind because every Japanese garden that I have seen has had a Zen theme to it. Even the homes in Japan have a Zen theme to them, but it is in the garden that you really see the spirit of Zen and Zen design.

The first time I learned anything about Japanese gardens was when my mother, who worked in a language school, introduced me to the Japanese language professor. This gentleman spent many years in Japan studying and learning the Japanese language. In addition to learning the language, he learned a great deal about the culture of Japan, most notably for him, the gardens of Japan. He brought the concept of a Japanese garden to his home.

I was able to see a Japanese garden for myself when my mother and I were invited, along with all of the other colleagues from the language school, to his home to celebrate the birthday of this professor's first grandson. I couldn't help but notice the garden in the back, and I was immediately struck by the beauty and simplicity of the miniature Japanese garden he had created. I had no idea at the time that I was gazing upon a Japanese garden; I simply enjoyed the clean lines and delicate symmetry of this living work of art. At first, I was afraid to walk around in it, it seemed so delicate and I was afraid to disturb it.

Luckily, our host noticed how awe-struck I was, and he came to me and explained the entire concept behind the design of a tranquil Japanese garden. He explained that certain design structures are inherent in a Japanese garden, and pointed each one out to me, how rocks, water and plants are used. He had beautiful bonsai, as well as a Koi pond that represented bounty and prosperity.

I could not pull myself away from the beauty of this garden, and the master of the house had, in the space of a few hours, converted me from someone who knew nothing about Japanese gardens to someone who was convinced he had to create the beauty, simplicity and symbolism of a Japanese garden for himself. I now have a tranquil Japanese garden of my own, and am thankful to the professor for introducing me to this lovely art form.

Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on this subject for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com A website with tips on japanese interior decorating.

Complete Your Garden Using the Right Landscaping Accessories

By Andrew Caxton

Even some of the best designed gardens can often be improved upon with the use of landscaping accessories. There are many different accessories to choose from and so you really shouldn’t have a problem finding something to suit you. You just need to know what is available in order to know what will best fit in with your landscaping needs.

The Various Accessories Available

Some of the various landscaping accessories include:

• Garden sheds

• Garden benches

• Arbors

• Lawn ornaments

All create a unique look and they can go really well with the rest of the landscaping. Garden sheds for example come in all different shapes and sizes and they can give the garden a really homely look, especially wooden sheds. As well as looking good, they also provide a handy storage space where you can keep your lawnmower and other gardening equipment. Most gardens look complete with a shed so if you have not yet thought about purchasing one you definitely should!

Garden benches offer a place where you can sit and enjoy the garden which you have created. They go particularly well overlooking features such as a pond or other water feature and perhaps even overlooking flowerbeds. It really does provide a place for you to go and relax, especially after a hard day at work.

Arbors have the potential to look absolutely beautiful and many people like to decorate their gardens with them. If you allow colorful flowers to gown around it, you will notice how homely it actually makes your home feel. You truly cannot go wrong with an arbor as it looks great on both lawn and patio.

Lawn ornaments include things such as garden Gnomes and bird baths. They are things which look good and add that little extra something to the garden. You can purchase lawn ornaments in all different styles and sizes so you should easily find something to suit you and your needs. Always remember that whatever you decide to purchase for your garden, it does need serious consideration. This is because you do not want to purchase something which either does not fit or simply looks out of place. So, be sure that it will suit the garden and that you measure it beforehand.

Overall landscaping accessories really do come in handy for any garden no matter how big or small. As long as you take your time and consider everything thoroughly beforehand you should end up with an accessory which really brightens up the garden.

Andrew Caxton is the author and editor of many lawn care articles and newsletters published at http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com . A website with tips on type of grass.