Everything Roses

Rose Gardening Tools

There are a wide array of gardening tools available today. Most are of good quality and relatively inexpensive.

There are only a few must haves for the home gardener and that will be our focus here.

A good pruner is one gardening tool that you will use almost daily.

There are two types of pruners on the market: one is called an "anvil" pruner, and the other is called a "bypass" pruner.

An anvil pruner has blades that meet on top of each other. Bypass pruners have blades that pass each other like scissors do.

Always use bypass pruners so you don't crush your canes and stems.

When choosing pruning shears look for a pair with well padded comfortable grips, and that also fit your hand well.

This is one gardening tool where good quality and comfort is important.



Lopping Shears

When your rose garden starts to mature there will come times when this will be an indispensable tool for cutting back old, thick canes that are too much for a set of pruning shears.

If you are just starting your rose garden, save the expense as you probably won't need this for a season or two.

Choose a lightweight model with a strong handle.

Shovels with fiberglass handles are the best choice as they tend to be lightweight and weather resistant.

They also have the added benefit of having a bit more flex to them and so make digging or moving soil easier on the back.



Wheelbarrow

Avoid the temptation to buy the cute garden "carts." You are at some point likely to need a real wheelbarrow.

As your gardening addiction, I mean hobby, takes off there will be no end to the things you will be hauling in and out of your garden.

Some of those things (bags of soil, mulch or large plants) will be very heavy and you'll be glad that you have a real wheelbarrow to help you.



Gloves

Quote: "You can complain because a rose has thorns...

or you can rejoice because thorns have a rose." - Tom Wilson

A rose garden is no place for thin, light weight gloves.

Unless you don't mind the occasional thorn scratch...

opt for leather work gloves with those big, fold-down cuffs. Your hands will thank you for it.



Kneeling Pads

Some people prefer the big 8"x15" water-resistant pads with handles, while others prefer strap-on knee pads.

The kneepads are more convenient because they move when you move, but the one-size-fits-all knee cups may not work for you. In that case, the pad will suit you fine.

This home gardening tool is indispensable for turning and loosening soil throughout your garden.

Choose a good quality model with steel forks and a sturdy handle.



Watering Wand

Great for watering potted roses or hanging plants and for giving your rose and flower beds a good root soaking.

Choose a model with a quick shutoff valve on the wand itself, and a quick release fitting for the end that plugs into the hose.

Spend the money to get a model with brass fittings instead of plastic, it will last years longer.

Also, there are watering wands available with adjustable heads which offer different spray patterns to suit your various needs.



Garden Rake

These are the rakes with the sharp steel teeth that you use for leveling and grading planting beds. Choose one with a sturdy handle and short steel tines.



Leaf Rake

A simple tool we're all familiar with, a leaf rake will help for cleaning up clippings, leaves and other garden debris.

You may want to buy both a "regular" size rake, and one of the smaller "child size" rakes for pulling debris from tight quarters or from behind your roses.



Pressure Sprayer

An indispensable part of any gardening tool kit.

A pressure sprayer allows the home gardener to apply fertilizers, fungicides, or pesticides only where they're needed.

Self-contained and pressurized with a small pump-handle, home garden sprayers are available in 1 to 5 gallon sizes.

This compact and portable tool allows for easy mixing and application of any liquid gardening product.

You shouldn't have any trouble locating a source to purchase these basic gardening tools.

Your local garden supply store will stock all these tools, and more.

Or if you don't mind purchasing gently-used items, check out area yard sales for your gardening supplies.

Good Luck and Happy Gardening!