Essential Garden Tools for Autumn
Essential Garden Tools for Autumn
Any gardener knows that gardening doesn’t stop when the summer ends, if anything we are now entering the busiest phase of the year; pruning, tidying, planning, maintenance. These are just some of the things on everyone’s to do list before the winter creeps up on us and it is a race against the clock.
We think that to see you through the autumn you need the following tools:
1. Rake
This tool is without doubt needed for raking away falling leaves and debris as the trees start to change colour. Perfect for keeping those lawns nice and tidy!
2. Secateurs
The autumn brings a big to-do list for a pair of secateurs such as; cutting back perennials, deadheading flowers, pruning shrubs and small branches.
3. Loppers
These are needed when the branches are a little too thick for your secateurs, when the branches start to inch up in size a lopper becomes the opted favourite due to it being able to get more leverage over a secateur.
4. Garden Gloves
A underrated essential but completely needed! Gloves are great in the cooler months for keeping your hands warm from the cold as well protection from thorns and debris. You can choose waterproof or insulated gloves to help keep those chills away.
5. Spade or Digging Fork
An essential all year round really but we thought we needed to pop it on the list but at this time of year turning over soil, transplanting plants and dividing up perennials would be on your spades to do list!
6. Wheelbarrow
Again, an all year round essential but at this time of year your wheelbarrow should be busy moving leaves and compost or mulch!
8. Garden Hose or Watering Can
Important for watering newly planted bulbs or late crops before frost sets in. The autumn is also a perfect time of year for setting up a water butt for next year and collect all the rain through winter.
Some Top Tips:
- Sharpen blades: Autumn is a great time to sharpen your pruners, loppers, and shears. The best way to sharpen our Okatsune secateurs or snips is with a whetstone.
- Clean tools: Prevent rust and disease by washing and drying your tools after use. We would recommend cleaning your Okatsune blades with either olive oil or Camelia oil as this removes stubborn saps but the natural residues don’t leave any harsh chemicals on the blades.
- Store properly: Dry, indoor storage protects tools from weathering in winter. Keeping the blades dry and closed and stored inside over the winter months is the best way of protecting your Okatsune tools as well as prolonging their life.
