Our top 5 Tools for gardening
*INCLUDING EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE
FOR BURGON & BALL
Time to clean up and tool up - for the Spring
“Get your shears sharpened and your spades sparkling.” There is a lot of advice out there on what you should be doing to get yourself ‘gardening ready’ for the Spring. In this article, we outline our very own top 5 tool recommendations - call it our ‘essentials list’ if you will.
Of course, there will be many other tools and equipment required throughout the season, but we are particularly pleased to say that Burgon & Ball have offered an exclusive discount on the 5 tools mentioned in this blog, so if you’d like to grab your own - you can use the exclusive code at the bottom of this blog entry.
We don’t take a commission - it is simply because we love these tools. Burgon & Ball have been so supportive to us, not least in their help with tooling up our Chelsea planting team last year. We’ve gotten to know their great range of tools and equipment - and here’s our favourite 5:
Perennial Spade - RHS Endorsed
This is a must-have. It’s perfect for when you need a spade but without the length (or weight). We use ours for splitting and dividing, but also for digging. It is especially helpful when planting or digging on your knees as it is the perfect size to quickly grab. I dare say that I (Joe) actually prefer this to a bulb planter because its less hassle and (providing your soil is well prepared) this tool makes light work of a mass-planting session.
Flower & Fruit Snip - RHS Endorsed
Simple. Sharp. Precise. We used to grow a lot of flowers for cutting and these snips are a perfect middle ground cutter for jobs like this. Coping really well with a range of stem thickness (though don’t overdo it!), we also really like the no-fuss handle. Sometimes, when you have your hands full and you have located the perfect spot on a stem that needs cutting - you don’t want to be faffing around with a switch or latch to release your snips. The simple strap is quick and easy.
Telescopic Ratchet Lopper - RHS Endorsed
Lightweight, yet impressively strong. The sort of loppers that make you feel powerful. These are well reviewed and for good reason. They can handle up to 4cm branches, and you don’t feel like you’re having to put much effort in when using them. The extra length is also great for those hard to reach places. Clever 5 stage ratchet also means you don’t pull a muscle when chomping through the thick stuff.
Right - we have tried a few and these are the best. Just make sure you put them on the right way around. It took a few times of having the straps pointing inwards for me to work out that this means you can knock the velcro off with your knees. Plus I have seen people wearing them upside down too (!).
Just use your eyes, and look at what you’re doing when you put them on. They are super comfortable and unlike the knee pad that you place on the floor - you don’t have to go looking for these when you reach the bottom of the garden. They are attached to you all the time so you can plonk down on your knees with confidence!
Laura is quite picky about forks (both in the garden and at the dinner table). In the garden, when she asks me to pass her a fork, she doesn’t just mean any old thing lying around - she wants her fork. It has been rumoured that Monty doesn’t let others use or touch his favourite fork. Laura has gotten pretty close to that way of life, but sometimes she lets me pass it to her.
This is a light and nimble garden fork - perfect for small spaces but also perfect for Laura. It doesn’t lack strength or quality, it is just has a slighter build to it and means less of your energy goes into lifting and manoeuvring tools! I’m not meant to use it, but I do.
DISCOUNT CODE:
So if you fancy picking up any of these tools (or others?!) then head over to Burgon & Ball
- using this code at the checkout:
CAREY20
This will give you 20% off your order (only one use per customer, and full T&C’s are available here)
The code expires in exactly one month from the launch of this article, so it will stop working at 23:59 on the 29th Feb.
Enjoy!
