Always remember to take proper precautions to ensure physical
safety while gardening, regardless of equipment choice. This
includes the use of eye wear to protect from liquid splash and
dust particles when mixing chemicals or to protect from rocks,
twigs, or other loose objects when using power equipment; helmets
made of high-impact plastics for head protection during tree and
shrub pruning and other overhead tasks; gloves to protect hands
and wrists from abrasion, blistering, burns, and dirt; and, most
importantly, if you must use power tools while gardening, wear
ear muffs or ear plugs to protect your hearing.
Make a support rod for your hanging baskets using an old mop or
broom handle. Place two sturdy hooks into your porch or patio
roof about as far apart as the handle is long. Suspend the rod
with two equal lengths of chain. The rod can hold several hanging
baskets, depending on size.
Mark the handle of your spade or hoe in inches for a handy
measuring device for row width and planting distances. Paint or
tape the measurements on the handle. A coat of varnish can make
the marks last longer.
Make cleaning and oiling garden tools quick and easy by keeping
a 5-gallon pail of coarse sand near your tool storage area.
Moisten the sand with used motor oil. Whenever you return tools
to storage, all you have to do to keep them clean and rust free
is plunge them a few times into the sand.
Put your tools away at the end of the day; clean them and hang
them up, if possible. Keep the cutting edge sharp for easier use.
When you remodel the kitchen, save a section of the old
cabinets and use it for a potting bench. It provides a
comfortable working height and storage below for pots, media,
tools, etc.
"So many seeds -- so little time." --Author unknown
Join "Garden Notes" and plan for Harvest
Success as you track and record your gardening progress. Your Free Personal
Garden Journal includes printable pages making it easy for you to:
Monthly
FREE
Refer a Friend
to Garden Simply!
