HAVING the right gardening tools can not only save time but also help the garden look its very best.
The sheer number of gardening tools available can make it difficult to decide which ones to purchase. There are also many cheap versions that are of poor quality and may not be safe to use.
Generally garden tools can be divided into the various purposes:
cutting and sawing
weeding and pruning
movement of planting medium and plants
garden lawn maintenance
watering and fertiliser application
pest and disease control
gardener’s protection
The development of gardening and horticulture tools actually follows the development of humankind. Ancient civilisations used stones, bones and wooden tools. This was followed by the development of metals such as copper, iron and steel. Today we have many motorised tools such as lawn mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers.
Hand saws
It is actually a good idea to invest a bit more in handsaws as they will last longer and work more efficiently. If a saw is too blunt to cut a branch, you will waste time, energy and even money.
SPECIALISED TOOL: Trunk splitters separate the trunk and thick branches along their length.
Quality pruning saws are mainly from Japanese manufacturers and the Australian Yates group. The Topman-Ultimate Pruning Speed Saw has a 240-millimetre (9.5 inches) blade that is replaceable. The handle comes complete with an elastomer grip and is angled for efficient sawing. The handle gives a non-slip grip that is comfortable, so is less tiring to use. The saw is actually a computer designed tapered blade for smooth pruning or cutting.
To ensure sharp and clean cuts, it is automated with Borazon wheel cut teeth and further hardened with chrome plating to prevent rust. I have used two of these tools so far and found they work very well.
For bigger jobs of cutting down trees and logs, I recommend you use the German-made Stihl chainsaw. A small 14-inch blade can do a wonderful job. It is almost maintenance free, light and easy to handle.
Do take care when it comes to the technique of handling and manner in which we cut or prune branches and stems. Do not cut the roots where soil or sandstones are present as these particles can dull the chainsaw’s ‘teeth’.
Always leave sharpening or changing of the chain to the experts. You may also need to change the spark plug after prolonged use.
Bonsai tools
The other cutting tools we use in gardening are secateurs. There are many different blades and shapes for pruning, cutting and trimming. For example, every single bonsai tool has a specific task to perform when it comes to shaping and training bonsai trees.
Shears or scissors control the growth of tree specimens. Specialised scissors come in a range of sizes – small ones can fit into tight spaces to trim the delicate growth such as leaves and buds.
Concave pruners are designed for bonsai cultivators to remove branches by crafting a depression wound on the trunk or branch of the bonsai. The elongated cut by this tool ensures rapid healing and less scarring.
Root cutters do just what their name implies. The thick blades of root cutters resist damage, while the design resembles a branch with narrow angled blades.
Root hooks help to remove bonsai plants from their pots for re-potting. It also removes old soil and helps to straighten tangled roots. This single-pronged hook cleans the root system without damaging the plant.
Jin pliers compress and tear away bark and wood to create the appearance of dead wood and weathered limbs on bonsai. Use the jin pliers to tie and unwind the training wire.
A trunk splitter is a heavy duty tool that separates the trunk and thick branches along their length to facilitate positioning for bending and shape making.
Knob cutters have half-sphere blades that resemble a parrot’s beak. The design nibbles away at unwanted surface wood, bumps and raised scarring or branches to ensure a proper fit in containers.
Wire cutters are designed to cut and snip the training wire without causing damage to the bonsai.
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