Gardening without the right equipment is like cooking without utensils: possible but much more complicated.
Whatever the gardening equipment, it must be chosen according to need and strength. But it must also be your size to limit effort and avoid pain and injuries. For example, a rake will hurt your back if it forces you to bend down to get a good grip on the handle or pruning shears will give you blisters if they aren’t the size of your hand. Or, a watering can will wear you out if it is too heavy for you once full! So, equip yourself intelligently to get the most out of your tools.
Gardening equipment for working the soil
To aerate the earth, turn it over (in moderation, always!), get rid of weeds, or even harvest your crops. Solid and fairly heavy gardening equipment will be your ally to increase your strength and efforts.
Grelinette
The must-have to aerate your soil effortlessly is the grelinette (also called organic fork or aerator)! It is a large fork with two wooden handles planted in the ground to turn it over and decompact it. The grelinette allows you to use the weight of your entire body to lift the earth rather than the muscles in your back. With it, say goodbye to early-season aches and hello to the simplicity of this beautiful invention!
Use
Stand up on the central bar and lean back, holding on to the sleeves to lift the earth. You don’t have to turn it completely upside down. This is simply a matter of breaking up the clumps so that the roots of your future plants can go deep into the ground to recover the necessary nutrients and water.
Work backward, planting approximately every 30cm in parallel lines. You can also use it in a specific location. For example, you must dig a hole for a tree, and your soil is not loose enough.
Weeder
The weeder is a good way to remove weeds from the ground without bending over if you are the type to spend time in your garden, of course, regularly.
Use
Pass the weeder at the base of the weed to cut the root. Since it no longer has leaves, it will not have the energy to grow back. The technique is effective when the grass is still quite young. You must, therefore, take the time to apply it regularly to the base of your plants for optimal results.
The weeder allows you to get rid of unwanted people little by little, without any chemicals or bending down.
Spade, shovel, and fork
The spade, shovel, and fork are a classic trio of gardening equipment that will allow you to dig your holes and remove stones from the ground. But also, for the spade, aerate the soil in small areas and dig up underground plants (potatoes, parsnips, etc.).
Use of gardening equipment
Choose your gardening equipment according to your needs. For example, digging holes with a shovel, digging plants with a fork, or cutting roots with a spade. In all cases, the operation is the same. Just push it in with your foot so it’s deep enough. Then, keeping your back straight and your foot on the tool, make a lever movement to lift the earth and recover what you discover (stones, potatoes, pirate treasure, etc.).
These tools will also allow you to turn your compost if you have one and to uproot large weeds or small well-rooted plants. In short, all three will find their place in your daily life as a gardener.