So you have decided to create your first garden space. What is the first step? Before you do anything, it is important to define what you want to plant and where you want to plant it. Do you want to create a vegetable garden or a flower garden? Do you have a section of your yard that gets ample sunlight? As a general rule, you want to use a space that gets at least six hours of sunlight every day. Once you figure out the logistics, the next step is to figure out what tools you will need. As you might expect, there are countless types of garden supplies. From a simple rake to a huge rear tine tiller, it can be overwhelming to try to figure out what you actually need. While everyone’s needs are different, here is a quick look at a sample of garden supplies that may be worth looking into.
Shovels – Shovels are one of the most common types of garden supplies. Because they are used so often, they are a “must have” tool. Shovels with round points are very useful for digging. If you will be moving a lot of material, consider a shovel with a flat point. Since you will use your shovel(s) so often, it is smart to invest in a quality one that will last.
Forks – Forks aren’t as common as shovels, but they can be very useful garden supplies. There are two primary types of forks. A hay fork has rounded prongs and is perfect for moving around material like compost. On the other hand, a spading fork has flat prongs and is best used in digging. Spading forks are particularly useful when digging through rocky soil.
Tillers – Tillers are the perfect tool to get your plot of land ready for planting. There are three primary types of tillers, and choosing the right one depends on the size of the job. Mini-cultivators are lightweight and portable. They are best suited for small spaces (less than 1,000 square feet) where the soil is already soft. Front tine tillers are bigger versions of mini-cultivators. They are also best suited for softer soil, but can be used in bigger spaces (up to about 5,000 square feet). If your space is bigger than 5,000 square feet or the soil is very hard, a rear tine tiller is the most heavy duty tiller and should do the trick.
Obviously this is a very small sample of garden supplies that could be helpful for the start of your garden. For further advice, local nurseries can prove very helpful. As a different alternative, many websites have garden learning centers where you can gain even more knowledge. With the right knowledge and tools, you will be well on your way to creating the perfect garden!