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Gardening Success Begins With the Right Basic Tools
(NUI) - Homeowners commonly ask what tools to buy for do-it-yourself gardening and landscaping projects. The lawn and garden specialists at Sears suggest the following assortment of Craftsman tools which are appropriate for gardeners of any skill level.
- A round-point digging shovel is essential for digging, lifting and throwing soil and other materials. The shovel's curved, pointed blade makes it ideal for turning soil over, digging holes for plants, removing dirt that's been loosened and filling holes back in after planting. It also can be used to load soil or other materials into a wheelbarrow or garden cart, mix and distribute soil and fertilizer, or mix and move concrete. The blade has a wide, forward-turned step for secure foot placement.
- A border spade has a flat, rectangular blade that easily slices through sod and soil to help create defined landscape borders. The border spade also is great for making neat, squared-off trenches and planting holes. Its mid-length fiber glass handle and ergonomic D-grip are easy to use when standing or kneeling. A turned step at the top of the blade provides secure and comfortable foot placement.
- A bowhead soil rake is ideal for loosening and leveling soil and creating planting beds. Soil and other materials are pulled toward the user with the tines down and pushed away from the user when the tines are pointed upward. The durable, forged-steel tines are used to break up clods and crusted soil; gather and remove sticks, stones and other debris; or mix fertilizer into soil.
- A garden hoe is essential for weeding. Its heavy-duty forged head is angled to efficiently chop and drag weeds. The garden hoe also is used to break up clods and form planting hills and furrows.
- A general-purpose lawn and leaf rake incorporates 22 galvanized steel tines, arranged in a straight line for efficient raking and moving leaves and loose debris on lawns as well as hard surfaces, such as drives and patios. It's also effective for removing matted thatch and wet grass.
- A general-purpose garden trowel is as versatile as a round-point shovel, but designed for knee-level and container digging tasks. A garden trowel is good for digging small holes, planting flowers and bulbs, or mixing and scooping potting soil and granular fertilizer. It has a narrow, V-shaped blade of stainless steel, aluminum or resin and a short handle that fits in the palm of the hand.
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