Favorite Tools

It seems that I cannot walk through any part of my home lot without having my favorite trowel and pruning shears at my side even if it was not my original intent to perform specific chores with them. There seems always to be something to prune whether it’s dead wood removal, general grooming, or rejuvinative pruning. Likewise with the trowel, to dig or scuff out weeds or to transplant this or that. Carrying them with me to begin with avoids having to go to the shed, but when I do I usually come back with other tools as well.

My wife says that I should keep the trowel and shears in the house by the back door -- especially the shears since they are sometimes needed even when the ground is frozen. She has also taken it on herself to spray them with fluorescent paint – saying that she can’t stand my tantrums when I misplace them – and then being dragged outside to help search for them.

Is anyone else in this same fix (not the wife part, of course)?

Shakemh

I have tools strowed around my house. I have a nice storage rack for everything, but I multi-task a lot and end up with a spade here and a hoe tthere. They all have day-glo parts somewhere. I need a new sharpshooter, its my favorite spade with a long narrow blade and a D grip. My wooden handled one snaped last week.
I have a folding pruning saw and by-pass clippers in my hip pocket.

My favorite tool is the weed digger. I have them all over the place, because I've lost tons of them throughout this 5 acre yard. I wish they'd start showing back up again before I have to buy more again.

I have a pair of small garden scissors with a belt clip, a pocket knife,a pair of tiny manicure scissors, a stack of white hand towels and a really big hat ( it can carry a lot of things when it's not on my head..lol.)

Hubby has to remind me to take the pocket knife & garden scissors out of my back pocket when we go out to eat or any place else... seems they are always with me....lol
He keeps telling me I need a "make over" because all this is not very fashionable.
I told him it just depends on the company you keep...:)

When I do have to give them up, I have a little green household tote with a handle that I put them in and it has the rooting powder, name tags and laundry marker etc. in it and stays on my kitchen counter...kind of out of sight.
Nice thread...thanks.

MsC

I'm now on my third pair of Felco Pruners in 2 years, because I keep losing them... and they are not cheap. Bigger tools walk off but untimately turn up so I don't worry about them.

All efforts to keep pruners attached to me via a holster are useless. Same with any garden tool organizer.

My favorite tool is my shovel. It's like this one: http://www.appealingitems.com/union-tools-little-hog-round-point-d-handle-shovel.html

Perfect for getting in tight spots to separate perennials - and yes, it is easier for those of us "petite" people to use.

I need to clean off my shovels and give 'em one last dunk in the oil/sand bucket. (BTW, mineral oil works GREAT for this purpose - more environmentally-friendly than used motor oil and doesn't turn rancid like vegetable oil. I can highly recommend everyone investing in a 5-gallon bucket w/lid, a bag of clean play sand and a couple quarts of mineral oil. Your tools will reward you with easier digging if you have oiled sand to clean them off after use.)

LoL, darius... I've sat on my garden shears a time or two in a hurry...somethings are better left unattached... :-0 !!

MsC

My pruners are kept on the dining room table. That way they're handy if I'm going out the door or into the living room to tend the houseplants.
My absolute favorite tool for outside is my pitch fork (digging fork?). I'm not sure what it's called. The tines are really heavy duty and shorter than a regular pitch fork. I use it for double digging my garden beds. I would also love a new spade for digging. I'm 5'2" so every store we go into, I have to try their tools for size!

Terry
Hats off to you. I hope others reading this thread take note of the care you give your tools. The other day I was at a neighbor’s place and couldn’t believe what I saw. He had a Troy Built rototiller (no more than a year old) that must have cost close to $1000 sitting out in the weather, also a lawn mower, wheelbarrow, etc. – and he has a double garage too boot! I expect next spring he’ll be asking to borrow my trustworthy Craftsman that has never been exposed to the dark of night for close to twelve years now. If so, he’ll be in for a letdown since I do not lend out any power/mechanical tools. I will cut down your trees, rototill, and pick up leaves with a Cyclone Rake, but lend any of these things out – sorry – no soap.

Darius
I’m with you. I have a pair of Felco by-pass shears that I all but sleep with. Expensive, but worth every cent. (Actually, they were given to me by a neighbor as a gift). Have had them for ten years now, staying sharp and rarely binds. Quality tools are worth the cost, rather than frustratedly going through a parade of cheaper ones at an accumulated cost far exceeding the cost of the “real thing” -- as long as you don't lose them.

I might venture to say here, while risking a smirk ot two, that gardening tools are to a gardener what pots and pans are to a cook.

Shakemh

Yes, Shakemh, and I value and treasure the best of both!