Chapter 3 of 10
3. When Aware of What We Have, Start Digging
THERE IS ALWAYS TIME TO DEVELOP
Some types of kitchen gardening may start as a hobby or small interest, but others may become self-sustaining.
What may have started as a hobby might easily develop into a full-fledged production by the end of the year.
For instance, you may choose to make the walkways wider or convert the low-lying parts to raised beds. In the garden, there is no better place to think about your design.
The general public does not scrutinize what you make, thus utility is crucial.
MAKE YOUR TOOLS LIST
What scale you will be working on in your garden will determine the equipment you require.
A fork and spade, as well as trowels, pruners, rakes, buckets, spraying tools, carrying equipment, and watering tools, are still essential for the ordinary gardener.
Then, you could require personal items like caps and gloves. Also, remember to include the children's tools. The requirement for powered tools may increase as manufacturing volume increases.
"The right tool for the job is fine, but we do not always have them at hand."
Over the years, greater attention has been paid to physical limitations and aids have been developed. There are tools available with various supports and sizes because not everyone has a strong grip. The day when individuals struggled to utilize ineffective equipment is long gone. To assist everyone, the Internet has a variety of sources. For everyone's enjoyment, businesses are reducing barriers for novice gardeners.
A medium-flat-bladed spade helps prevent back strain from excessive lifting. A flat blade may be used for a variety of tasks, including dividing perennial plants and edging lawns. The key to having the proper tools is to use them in a variety of ways while keeping expenses down. However, compared to using a garden shovel, using a fork to ease veggies out reduces the likelihood of cutting the vegetables.
Be cautious when purchasing equipment only because it is what the TV gardeners have. They might not be ideal for us at all times.
A collection of tools organized by category is shown below. It does not mean we cannot get by with one of each, but scale comes into play once more. You should concentrate on having hand tools if you just utilize pots or containers.
1. Cutting tools include loppers, shears, pruners, handsaws, scissors, and garden knives.
2. Digging tools include a spade, hand-trowel, hand-fork, shovel, fork, and hoe.
3. For clearing, rakes, and brushes are useful.
4. Sowing can be assisted by a sieve, a dibber, chopsticks, and seed trays.
5. Carrying items include a wheelbarrow, cart, watering can, and drying rack.
6. Holding items include a water bottle, watering can, hose, and drying rack.
7. The management of seed kinds and expiration dates requires a storage mechanism for the seeds.
"Annual maintenance and cleaning will assist to support the tools."
A camera is one instrument that I consider indispensable. You may synchronize photos taken with your phone's camera with a picture app so that you can view them in a gallery every month. It also aids in keeping track of what and when we sowed.
Instead of using a lawnmower on a lawn, you might need to use a weed eater or trimmer. It becomes a matter of whether there will still be a need for a mower on any lawns, or whether having something that can fly around rapidly and be smaller will be more practical.
"The bigger the job, the bigger the tools."
Even while these items can assist you in taking care of your plants, the hard landscaping may call for a few more. For moving soil, the spade will be the main instrument. However, if the project is substantial, a wheelbarrow or even a small digger might be helpful.
The same holds true whether working with concrete or stone. Gloves and eye protection are required since moving and cutting can be difficult. Similar tools are required for timber buildings. Do not forget to wear sturdy shoes.
In building, a good tape measure and a level are crucial tools. String and a keen eye are all you need to make basic dry walls.
I am sure there is a video on YouTube if you have ever been unclear about a task you wish to perform. I participate in a handful, and allotments and homesteads tend to be the greatest ones. The experience is diverse yet consistently beneficial.
BE RESOURCEFUL
The lifespan of a tool may and ought to be quite long. Investing in low-quality plastic hand tools runs the risk of blistering and breaking when put under stress. I have some that I am aware will not last.
"What we buy is an investment."
One thing to keep in mind is that gardeners are adaptable; if we lack the necessary tools, we either find a substitute or borrow something from a friend. The lack of a greenhouse is an illustration when getting things done. Most individuals who start plants early do it in an inside, sunny window. However, I have grown tomatoes and hot peppers in the cozy airing closet next to the boiler. Heatmaps underneath the seed trays can also be useful.
SOURCING CHEAP MATERIALS
The amount of creativity you need to use may depend on your budget. For example, making a climbing structure out of a pair of old garden gates will be useful and durable. Similarly, recycling wood only works if the wood is in decent shape; otherwise, you will have to replace the wood as soon as it wears out.
For individuals who are just starting out or even in a new place, finding the resources could seem more challenging. For bricks and boards, check out any neighborhood recycling facilities. Aged wood is the only thing that can look finer in a garden. Compare freshly cut yellow pine boards to older ones that have an aged grey appearance. Gray and silver patinas give the piece personality.
START WITH GOOD FOUNDATIONS
The things that are under the walkways must work just as hard as those above. The fact that there will be more traffic when the season's change means that we must perform well. Also, consider the weather, particularly the rain in the fall when it is chilly and damp. The routes might become unstable because of sinkage or floods. Under the flags or in the post holes, a dry mixture of cement, sand, and gravel can help establish a stable foundation.
Hazards might also be present in gravel. A walk on the beach might arise from having too much of it. It will be more labor if any of the wheels sink. Additionally, it must be edged since soil changing over time might cause it to mix.
We may still alter the arrangement after the design and development phases to make the routes more accessible. And that is the wonderful thing about gardening—we can change things just like we do at home.
As you maneuver about the plots, keep in mind that your pathways must be robust.
Paperback Layout
This is what to anticipate from the eBook edition. The paperback layout shown in the sample below is what it would seem like if you wanted one with a more opulent design.
