Welcome to Gardening tips
Article
The Tools of Rose Gardening
Ron King
Like any job you tackle, it's always easier if you have the right tools. Before heading out to your rose garden, make sure you arm yourself with these basic rose gardening tools.
Gloves
"You can complain because a rose has thorns, or you can rejoice because thorns have a rose." - Tom Wilson.
The rose garden is no place for thin, wimpy gloves. Unless you enjoy feeling the thorns pierce your skin, opt for leather work gloves with those big, fold-down cuffs.
Pruners
A good pruner is one 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. Always use bypass pruners so you don't crush your canes and stems.
Loppers
When your rose garden starts to mature there will come a time when loppers will be indispensable for cutting back old, thick canes that are too much for pruning shears. If you are just starting your rose garden, save your money, since you won't need this for a few years.
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 with handles should suit you fine.
Short Digging Fork
This tool is indispensable for turning and loosening soil in small patches. Choose a good quality model with steel tines and a sturdy handle.
Watering Wand
Great for watering potted roses and for giving your other roses 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 attaches to the hose. Spend the money to get a wand with brass fittings instead of plastic. It will last years longer.
Long-Handled Shovel
Choose a lightweight model with a strong handle. Shovels with fiberglass throats are good choices. Spend a few extra dollars and get one with a padded handle, and it will save you lots of blisters as the years go by.
Wheelbarrow
Avoid the temptation to buy the cute garden "carts." You are going 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 will be very heavy and you'll be glad that you have a real wheelbarrow to help you.
Garden Rake
This is the rake with the sharp steel teeth that you use for leveling and smoothing beds. Choose one with a sturdy handle and steel tines.
Leaf Rake
You'll use this tool often 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.
You shouldn't have any trouble locating these basic rose gardening tools. Your local garden supply store will likely stock them, or if you don't mind purchasing gently-used items, check out yard sales for your gardening supplies.
Enjoy yourself!
About the Author
Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit Grow-Roses-Now to learn more about this popular gardening activity.
Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.
Indoor Hydroponics Gardening Best products
Indoor Hydroponics Gardening News
indoor hydroponics gardening
IMPORTANT: Bing News RSS feed has moved!
That’s why Thomas S. and Kelly T. Mason launched North Country Hydroponics at the Price Chopper Plaza, 1283 Arsenal St., an indoor garden store offering planting systems to grow nearly everything. The 1,700-square-foot store will be a mecca ...
Read moreIndoor gardening offers creative solutions for hobbyists
IRON MOUNTAIN -- The winter months certainly aren't for gardening and with short growing seasons it's difficult to get the plant production you desire. Residents in the Upper Peninsula have found an easy alternative to beat the cold with indoor hydroponic ...
Read moreDigging into indoor gardening
While hydroponic set-ups tend to be an unsightly mess of ... miniature alien colony” — on indoor, soil-less gardening. Hidden aquatic air pumps circulate water from an internal reservoir at the base of the screen straight to the top of the structure ...
Read moreNY Design Week 2012: Live Screen by Danielle Trofe
“The risks created by building a home grown indoor hydroponic garden make our Phototron product a very attractive alternative,” said Sterling Scott, CEO of Phototron Holdings. “Phototrons are UL certified for electric safety, use low temperature ...
Read morePhototron Makes Indoor Hydroponic Growing Safe and Easy
With its ECO-Brain and Phototron Plant Nutrition line of all natural hydroponic nutrients, Phototron makes indoor gardening easy, and produces extraordinary results. For comprehensive investor relations material, please follow the appropriate link ...
Read morePhototron Hydroponic Grow Kits Now Available on Greners.com
Way to Grow has locations in Denver, Lakewood, Boulder and Fort Collins and is one of the largest hydroponics and indoor gardening stores in Colorado. It sells grow lights, cultivation and watering systems, fertilizers, ventilation parts and ...
Read moreColorado hydroponics store owner charged with marijuana distribution
Grow Shop Hydroponics, the best garden store in San Francisco that offers general hydroponics ... offers reputable brands that are best for all types of general hydroponics, indoor growing lights and grow room tents. Whether harvesting home-grown tomatoes ...
Read moreSan Francisco Garden Store, Grow Shop Hydroponics Offers Graduation Sale Throughout May
FORT COLLINS, Colo.—The owner of a Fort Collins-based chain of indoor hydroponic gardening stores has reached a plea deal on a federal marijuana charge. Federal prosecutors this week accused Way To Grow CEO Corey Innis of helping to distribute ...
Read moreWay To Grow CEO reaches plea deal on drug charge
SAN FRANCISCO—The owners of two Northern California indoor gardening stores were arrested by federal drug agents on Wednesday after authorities conducted a year-long investigation they said showed the hydroponic equipment shops were at the center of a ...
Read more