Information & resources about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld

Garden Tools

Good tools make gardening easier and safer. Treat yourself or consider giving good-quality durable tools as a gift. Anyone with a garden will appreciate them, but they're especially appropriate for people who have recently purchased a home or are setting up a garden for the first time (housewarming, wedding or engagement).

Also, if older freiends and relatives are having trouble gardening these days, consider that better tools (e.g. lighter, better grip, longer handles or easier to start) might make thing easier and keep them active longer.

News

Robots quietly taking over lawn mowing

The first robotic lawn mower, which was also solar powered, was introduced by the Husqvarna Group in 1995. In April 2017, the Group celebrated 1 million robotic mowers sold. This includes the Husqvarna, Gardena, McCulloch and Flymo brands. Over the years, developments included noise reduction and ability to control the mower via a smartphone. Source: Celebrating 1 million robotic lawn mowers on a growing market (April, 2017)

Older news at bottom of page.

Other Information Online

The following links are for general information.

General Information

Choosing the Right Tools University of Illinois

Selecting the Correct Garden Tool for the Job! Iowa State University of Science and Technology

My Favorite Garden Tools - Part 1 Mississippi State University

My Favorite Garden Tools - Part 2 Mississippi State University

Maintenance

Care of garden tools Department of Agriculture Western Australia (PDF)

Caring for Your Tools Cornell Cooperative Extension (PDF)

Take good care of hard-working garden tools Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

Winterizing Garden Tools University of Illinois. Lots of maintenance advice, even if you don't live in a climate cold enough to stop gardening in winter.

Sharp tools make for easy gardening Charlotte County UF/IFAS Extension Service, Florida (PDF)

Sharpen or Suffer: Caring for Your Tools Parker County Master Gardener Association, Texas (PDF)

Disinfection

Disinfection of Horticultural Tools University of Florida

The Myth of Cloroxed Clippers Is bleach a good way to sterilise pruning tools? Washington State University (PDF)

Prevention of viral disease transmission on tools

Hand Tools - cutting

Pruning Shears and Hedge Trimmers Hawaii Horticulture

Tools of the Garden Trade, part 1- Hand pruning tools Pinecrest Plant Guy blog, Miami

Tools of the Garden Trade- part 2- Pole Saws Pinecrest Plant Guy blog, Miami

Hand Tools - digging

Sharpening Shovels Univ. Florida Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology

Power Tools

Gas vs. Electric Tools Univ. Florida Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology

Tips for Working Safely with Electric Garden Tools Cornell Cooperative Extension of Nassau County

Electric String Trimmers Hawaii Horticulture

Gas-powered String Trimmers Hawaii Horticulture

Tools of the Garden Trade-part 3- Chainsaws Pinecrest Plant Guy blog, Miami

Lawn Mowers

Selecting a Lawn Mower Univ. Florida Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology

Reel Mowers Univ. Florida Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology

Reel Lawnmowers Hawaii Horticulture

Sharpen Grass-Cutting Skills, Tools for Efficient Mowing Season Missouri Environment and Garden, University of Missouri

Avoid the hazards of lawn mowing Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

March is Mower Maintenance Month Missouri Environment and Garden, University of Missouri

Giving the Lawnmower a Tune-Up Univ. Florida Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology

Lawn mower maintenance Colorado State University

Save gas, sharpen your mowing practices Cornell Univ.

Sharpening the Mower Blade Univ. Florida Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology

Blunt Mower Blade Damage Ohio State University Buckeye Turf Program

Sharpening Mower Blades Can Be DIY Job Kansas State University

Changing the Oil in Your Lawnmower Univ. Florida Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology

Sprayers

An array of sprayers for pesticides Charlotte County Cooperative Extension Service

Others

Soil Moisture Monitoring: Low-Cost Tools and Methods National Center for Appropriate Technology (USA)

Tools for disability

Gardening with Arthritis (Tool selection and other tips) University of Illinois

Gardening for All: Accessible Gardens and Adaptive Tools Yard and Garden News, University of Minnesota

Garden tools can be adapted for hip, leg or knee problems Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

Safe and easy tool use for the visually impaired gardener Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

Bad back? Adapt your garden tools Extension Service Garden Hints, Oregon State University

Older News

Gardens of of the future?

Husqvarna (which manufactures outdoor power tools) has released results of a survey conducted with people from eight northern hemisphere countries to gain insight into current and future gardening trends. A summary of U.S. trends is provided here: New Trend Forecast Reveals Evolution of Lawn Care in the 21st Century. (April 2009)