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Most of the
products listed in this section are available through garden centres
and DIY stores. The tools link page identifies
the manufacturers and distributors of these tools and the garden
shopping page gives you the option of buying the products online.
What
to look for in tools and how to buy them
- Try tools before buying - consider the
tool weight, your grip and balance.
- Find the lightest tools with the widest
handles - they are easier to grip.
- Increase the handle width by padding
out.
- When choosing shears or secateurs, try
a number of the same model - some springs and actions will be looser
than others.
- Choose 'ratchet' type pruners - several
easier squeezes cut through the branch.
- Check what material the tool is made
of - stainless steel tools offer less resistance in the soil, and
are easier to clean, but are not so sharp. Plastic, carbon fibre or
aluminium are the lightest.
- Look for tools with interchangeable
heads - buy a length of handle that suits you to use with a selection
of tool heads. The heads can double as hand tools.
- Consider purchasing power tools - great
for larger jobs like hedge-cutting and grass-trimming large areas.
Check you can cope with the weight.
- Good posture makes gardening easier
- whatever job is being undertaken keep the back as straight as possible
and select tools which allow the correct posture to be maintained.
- Vary gardening jobs undertaken, so that
different body and hand movements are required.
- Two-wheeled barrows with 'pram' or 'walking
stick' handles are generally the easiest to use and can be steered
with just one hand.
- Borrowing tools from neighbours or relatives
before you buy, provides the opportunity to make sure you are making
the best purchase.
Click
here for information on how to buy tools and equipment
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