Garden work requires some basic tools and equipment. You can purchase these as the need arises. Yard and garage sales are a good place to find good quality tools at bargain prices. When you buy garden tools how can you tell good quality from poor. Basically the higher-priced tools are made of heavier more durable materials. Here are some basic things to remember when purchasing tools.

A heavy gage steel blade holds its edge better and lasts longer. A wooden handle should be sealed with varnish. You can use linseed oil to seal the wood to prevent dry rot, and to provide a smooth grip. A tool head with a socket that fits over the end of the handle is strongest and will resist breaking.

Tools for Trimming Cutting and Pruning

The pruning shears are small hand-held pruners used to cut away excess or dried ends of woody shrubs and plants. They are made to cut small and medium-sized shoots and branches. Attempting to cut larger branches can easily damage them.

Another useful tool in the garden is a micro blade pruner the stainless steel blades on this personal pruner are ideal for cutting flowers, fruit or harvesting vegetables. It could easily become your favorite tool for dead heading flowers. These handy 6 1/2-inch pruner include 2 inch long blades. It has rubber grip handles. They are easy to sterilize.

Loppers are another useful tool. Heavy-duty pruning shears. They have two arm length handles that produce high cutting force at the blade, they are used to trim and cut heavy branches pruning shears cant handle.

With the appearance of a giant pair of scissors hedge shears are suitable for trimming branches of hedges. With their long reach and quick straight cuts they are useful garden tools. A notch in one blade close to the center pivot, helps hold the branches close to the center pivot were the most cutting force is leveraged and gives better control.

A bow saw has a steel blade stretched tight across the U-shaped handle this resembles a bow. The very deep teeth on the thin wide blade cut through Greenwood quickly. Bow saws are used to cut large branches.

A pruning saw has a stiff blade with sharp teeth on both edges and a handle on one end. The fine teeth on one edge are used for cutting small branches. The large coarse teeth on the other edge are suitable for cutting larger branches. The single-edged pruning saw has a curved handle and a folding blade. Because of their small size pruning saws are easy to maneuver in the tight quarters of an overgrown bush or shrub.

Whether gas, muscle or electrically powered a lawn mower is an essential piece of equipment in maintaining your lawn.