Garden tools, how to choose

Garden tools, how to choose

How to choose garden tools… To be honest, when I first started thinking about the topic, I expected that a little hoe and a pair of pruners would do all the work in the garden. It turned out, though, that gardening isn’t just about being outside in the fresh air – it’s a whole science. And like any science, it requires its own tools. It’s not about spending crazy money, but about knowing where to put it so you don’t regret it later. I, for example, settled on two brands that I liked – Wolf Garten for the hand tools and Hyundai for the heavier stuff. Both are good, but in different ways. The important thing is to know what fits your garden and your back.

Types of garden tools

When you open a catalog or walk into a big store, it’s overwhelming. All kinds of gadgets, pruners, trimmers, lawnmowers… But how do you find your way? This is how I see it – I divide them into two main groups, and that’s it.

Hand tools – like an extension of your hand

These are the things you pick up and feel immediately – the weight, the handle, the blade. Shovels, hoes, rakes, pruning shears. This is where Wolf Garten really shines. They have a system where the handles are designed so your hand doesn’t get tired and doesn’t slip. I have their pruner for cutting branches, for example – it cuts branches as thick as a finger without you having to squeeze like crazy. Their mechanism is a lever that saves strength. And when you think about it, when you’re working in the garden for 2-3 hours, every bit of saved energy counts. Plus, if the handle is well-shaped, your hand doesn’t go numb and your joints don’t hurt the next day.

• Handles with rubber or soft covering are a must if you’ll be working for a long time.

• The metal needs to be thick and strong so it doesn’t bend at the first decent-sized rock in the soil.

• The length of the handle determines whether you’ll be stooping or not – longer shovels protect your back.

Power tools – when you need speed and power

But when your yard is overgrown with nettles and bushes, you won’t get far with hand pruners. That’s when you need lawnmowers, trimmers, brush cutters. And this is exactly where Hyundai comes in. They make great battery-powered systems that are super convenient. No cable tangling around your legs or accidentally cutting the hose in two. You just put in the battery and go. They also have gas-powered ones if the yard is really big, but they’re noisier and smell. I personally use their string trimmer and I’m happy with it – it’s light, cuts well, and doesn’t vibrate too much, so your hands don’t go numb.

• Battery-powered tools are quiet and fume-free, but the battery lasts about an hour or two.

• Gas-powered ones are stronger, but their maintenance is more complicated – oils, spark plugs, fuel.

• Corded electric ones are the cheapest, but you constantly get tangled up and have to be careful not to cut the cord.

Specialized garden tools for fine detailing

Besides the standard stuff, there are tools you only think of when you need them. For example, hedge shears with long blades, or trimmers for shaping bushes. Wolf Garten has great topiary shears – you know, when you’re trimming bushes into balls or other shapes. They’re light and precise, they don’t pull the leaves but cut them cleanly. Or branch peelers – when you want to strip the bark off a stick for a stake. You don’t use these things every day, but when the moment comes, there’s no replacing them with a shovel.

• Hedge shears should have an adjustable angle so you can reach all spots.

• Bark peelers are handy if you’re making your own trellises or fences.

• Tools for pruning high branches have telescopic handles and are operated with a rope.

Garden watering systems – lifesavers in the summer

It’s no secret that without water, there’s no garden. And it’s not just about a hose, but a whole system. Sprinklers, nozzles, timers. I use a Hyundai sprinkler that rotates 360 degrees and waters evenly, without flooding just one spot. Hoses need to be quality – the kind that don’t kink or crack in the sun. Because there’s nothing more annoying than watering and suddenly the hose bursts and sprays you all over. There are also drip systems, which are great for flower beds – the water goes right to the roots and doesn’t get wasted.

• Sprinklers should be adjustable based on the size of the area.

• Reinforced rubber hoses are the most durable.

• Watering timers save you from wondering if you watered when you’re not home.

Garden tools for different seasons

You can’t use the same things all year round. The garden breathes differently, and we need to be prepared.

Spring – time for waking up and cleaning

Spring comes, and you need everything at once. First, you have to gather the twigs that fell during winter, rake up the old leaves, dig up the beds. Here, rakes and shovels are most important. Wolf Garten has a wide-head rake that gathers leaves in minutes. Then it’s time for pruning – roses, fruit trees, vines. You need good pruners that cut cleanly without crushing the branches. If the branch is thicker, the lopper needs to be stronger so you don’t have to push with two hands and risk slipping.

• In spring, all blades are checked and sharpened.

• Shovels need to be sturdy because the spring soil is harder.

• Branch pruners are cleaned of old sap so they cut smoothly.

Summer – battle with grass and drought

In summer, the grass grows faster than you can mow it. If you’re a week late, it turns into hay. This is when your lawnmower is your best friend. I use a Hyundai one with a large collector and mulching function – it shreds the grass finely and puts it back, so it fertilizes. No need to collect and dispose. Also, hedges and bushes are cut regularly to keep them in shape. You need hedge shears with long blades so you don’t get stuck. And don’t forget the hose and sprinklers – in July, nothing works without them.

• A mulching mower saves on fertilizer and time collecting grass.

• Hedge shears need to be cleaned of sap to prevent sticking.

• Watering is best done early morning or evening to prevent evaporation.

Autumn – time for harvesting and preparation

In autumn, leaves fall, and fruits fall too. You need to gather everything before it rots. Here, rakes and baskets come out again. If you have many fruit trees, you’ll need good branch pruners to cut off dry and diseased parts. It’s also time for the last mow of the year – the mower should be ready to cut the grass low so it doesn’t overwinter poorly. Autumn is also the time to check all tools, clean them, sharpen them, and get them ready for their winter sleep.

• Rakes need to be strong to gather even wet leaves.

• The last mow is low to prevent moisture retention.

• Tools are cleaned of soil and stored in a dry place.

Winter – rest and preparation for the new season

In winter, the garden sleeps, but you shouldn’t sit idle. This is time for tool maintenance. Sharpen the pruners, oil the moving parts, check for rust. If you have Hyundai battery-powered tools, check the batteries – don’t leave them fully discharged in the cold. Wolf Garten tools also like to be pampered – a cloth and a little oil work wonders. Plus, winter is ideal for making a list of what you need for spring and buying it while there are sales.

• Batteries are stored at room temperature with about a 60% charge.

• Metal parts are lightly oiled to prevent rust.

• Handles are checked to ensure they’re solid and not cracked.

Criteria for choosing garden tools

When choosing, there are a few things I always look at. I don’t go for the first cheap tool, because I’ve done that and regretted it later. Sometimes the more expensive one turns out to be the cheapest in the long run if it serves you for years.

Ergonomics and comfort for long hours of work

This is probably the most important thing. If you spend an afternoon digging with a shovel that doesn’t fit you, the next day your back will say “enough is enough”. Wolf Garten pays a lot of attention to ergonomics. Their handles are designed so that effort is distributed evenly and doesn’t strain one muscle group. With Hyundai mowers, I look for an adjustable handlebar because people come in different heights. If it’s low and you have to stoop, your back will hurt in five minutes.

• Adjustable handles reduce fatigue and protect your posture.

• Soft grips prevent slipping and blisters.

• The tool’s balance is key – if it’s heavy at the front, your arms tire quickly.

Material quality – what to look for

Stainless steel is a must for all parts that cut or dig in the soil. Aluminum is light and doesn’t rust, but it’s not as strong for heavy loads. Plastic isn’t always bad – sometimes strong engineering plastic is better than thin sheet metal that will be eaten by rust after two winters. It’s also important to be able to easily find spare parts – mower blades, belts, batteries. Both brands we’re talking about have good distribution, and if something breaks, you won’t be searching for years.

• Stainless steel and aluminum are the best choices for durability.

• The ability to sharpen blades extends the tool’s life many times over.

• It’s good if cables and plugs have moisture and dust protection.

Power and performance – what kind of yard are we talking about

If you have a small garden of 200 sq m, you don’t need a tractor. A light electric Hyundai mower will do the job perfectly. But if the yard is 2,000 sq m, then you need a gas-powered one or at least a powerful battery mower with a spare battery. The same goes for pruners – for thin branches, shears are enough, but for thick trunks, you need a chainsaw. It’s important to realistically assess what you need so you don’t buy something you won’t use to its full potential.

• Power determines how quickly and easily the tool handles dense vegetation.

• For small yards, battery-powered tools with one battery are sufficient.

• For large areas, look for gas-powered or battery-powered ones with a quick battery change system.

Price and durability – an investment in the future

Sometimes an expensive tool saves you money because it doesn’t break every year. I personally prefer to spend a little more on Wolf Garten or Hyundai than to replace cheap tools every spring. The math is simple – you buy once and forget about it. Plus, better-known brands have warranties and service, which is also a plus. If something breaks, you don’t throw it away, you fix it. It’s both more ecological and more economical.

• A higher price often means better materials and a longer life.

• Warranty and service are important so you’re not left with flimsy junk.

• Investing in a quality tool pays off over several seasons.

Conclusion

In the end, when I sum it all up, choosing garden tools is like choosing friends. You want them to be reliable, not to leave you in the lurch, and to get the job done without much hassle. I love Wolf Garten for hand tools – the Germans know their ergonomics and quality, the handles are comfortable, and the blades stay sharp for a long time. Hyundai, on the other hand, surprisingly handles the mechanization well – mowers, trimmers, brush cutters. They’ve made them sturdy, easy to use, and not expensive. The best approach is to combine them – some for the fine work every weekend, others for the heavy moments when the grass is over your head. That way, your garden will be a pleasure, not slave labor. And believe me, there’s nothing better than sitting down in the evening after work, having a coffee, and looking at the tidy greenery you created yourself.

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Category: home and garden