You don’t need many tools to garden successfully. I suggest what to look for and why these 8 are my favourites. I am not on commission and have no affiliation fee for any except for the dibber which I designed.
I just want to show you the most efficient, easy way to use these helpful tools.
Music is ‘Homeacres’ by Jacqui Vincent https://jacquivincent.bandcamp.com/track/homeacres
00:00 Introduction to using tools in the garden
01:10 A spade – useful for digging out roots, planting trees
01:33 …in comparison to a shovel
01:53 Looking at two shovels – one plastic, one metal – and comparing their respective qualities
04:02 A fork prong / manure fork – I demonstrate how to use when moving compost
05:39 A hoe – when and why you would need to use one
06:48 A look at different types of hoe – I show you my preference and explain why
09:26 A trowel – I explain and demonstrate its two main uses: removing top roots of perennial weeds, and planting (eg potatoes, and pot plants such as kale)
13:30 The benefits of a copper trowel
14:20 A rake – I demonstrate how to use one for levelling the surface of a bed, and how it can be used to disturb weed seedlings
16:10 Different types of rake, and the benefits of using one similar to mine
16:44 A word on keeping tool handles clean!
17:20 One of my favourite tools – a long -handled dibber – and a look at two types
18:50 I demonstrate how to use the dibber to make holes for transplanting
21:13 The smallest tool of all – a folding pocket-knife; I show you my preference, and demonstrate how I sharpen it with a sharpening stone
23:35 A final word on tools, and distributors *see links in description below*
UK distributor of my long handled dibber https://www.gardenimports.co.uk/product/charles-dowding-long-handled-ash-dibber/?v=79cba1185463
USA & Canada distributor of my long handled dibber https://allaboutthegarden.com
Gorilla plastic shovel https://www.buildworld.co.uk/merchant/gorilla-plastic-shovel-yellow-1-piece-indestructible-a3-1148
Copper tools from Implementations https://implementations.co.uk/shop/
See this earlier video about Tools and Techniques in my no dig garden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic0LrNBuSi4
And this one on transplanting techniques: https://youtu.be/JvWSaiMKJx4
Filmed and edited by Alessandro Vitale @spicymoustache at Homeacres 24th March 2022, temperate climate zone 8.
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30 Comments
"Find a hoe that fits you best" Charles Dowding
Hi Charles I use to help run a community garden vegetable box scheam in Kettering northants for 6 years finished about 10 years ago due to ill health but my health is better now for starting working again and this year I'm luckily starting new garden for residential care home. I've got like blank start as its all just low cut grass lawns . So I be putting in vegetable & fruit garden, herb garden and perennial and annual beds and like Roman style garden and flower garden trail been watching your videos and think it be great project for no dig gardens and looking forward see what I can do. thanks for all tips you put on your videos
Hi Charles I had a quick question please. I am starting my first garden right now on my new property. I chose the best area for it and everything is pretty much ready.
I want to follow all your techniques, no dig and organic, but I am a little bit afraid that my soil is too compacted right now from the previous owners as well as me when I was cleaning the field earlier. Would you advice me to till the ground the first year, one time, and then use the no dig techniques?
Or even if my soil is compacted, should I not even touch it one time? I am a little bit confused on this level …
Thank you in advance Charles and happy season !
Thanks!
Loved this, thanks Charles!😄
I've used a plastic snow shovel for years firstly when we had 2 horses snd then for moving compost in the garden they are great as you say light 6o use and hard wearing
I used your trowel method on a prolific 'crop' of docks. That satisfying crack as the root broke is strangely calming 😉 Easy too.
très intéressant, merci
I love an Opinel knife
Great! i have my nice dibber too.
I was really hoping that a hori hori would be on this list. That an a really good pair of pruners.
Hello from Brazil!! Great tips about Garden tools. Thank you very much for sharing your knowledges and experience with us.I really apreciate and enjoyed and learned a lot. I subscribed in your channel too. We are in fall season now here .🧡🍂🍁🥰 .Have a wonderful day in your amazing Garden!!
Hey Charles, where is your greenhouse from please. And is it 3m x 5m? Many thanks.
Para afilado de cuchillo, va mejor el papel abrasivo (lija) la piedra desgasta mucho y la terminacion es torpe comparada con el papel, que desgasta muy poco, y el borde filoso queda mucho mas fino. 🤕👍🌳
🙂de pequeño fabrico mis propias herramientas. 🤕👍🌳
This is great info 😎 greetings from finland where we have only a little bit snow left and its already possible to do many things out in the garden 😊 we ve been through an exceptionally long winter 😜
I always appreciate how you explain and give examples of your processes and reasoning. I've not ever seen copper tools so now have some researching to do. The hoe you showed as your preference I know as a "Hula Hoe." Also, love the long handled dibbler.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge!💗
Fantastic video. Great information.
This should be interesting, as in the last 60 years of my life, I now have 2 shovels, 2 rakes and a hand trowel. What more do I need?
Tu experiencia y conocimientos son my prácticos para todos los que tenemos un pequeño huerto.Saludos desde Tenerife!! 👌🏻🥕🥬🌸🔪
Nice mr purple
Nosotros hemos comprado una azada holandesa o horca oscilante y va muy bien para las pequeñas hierbas 🌿, Gracias por los consejos
https://youtube.com/channel/UCqYQZvfJDpQbIy-QBy1b5yg
Sus videos son inspiradores. Gracias por estar allí y compartir su experiencia. Felicidades.
Thank you so much for your videos. Please, what is the brand of your T-handled manure fork? It looks extremely ergonomic. Thanks again
So I splashed out on an oscillating hoe and it arrived yesterday! It’s fantastic – you advised about watching for weeds springing up this time of year and of course you were right. I was up early this morning gently scraping out the tiny little blighters and it was so easy with gentlest of effort. Until now I didn’t know how the right tools can make life so much easier in the garden. Thank you for being here for every step of the way 🙏
Regarding the question of shovels, if you put a really long shaft on your shovel with a D handle on the end you get the best of both worlds . Because the shaft is longer it slides into the pile at a flatter angle , and you don’t have to bend your back or move your feet about so much . I have shovels spades manure forks and border forks like this . Another of my favourite tools is a heavy hoe ,which I believe the Spanish call “una azada”. When I broke the original wooden handle I replaced it with a length of iron water pipe that was just the right size . Now I can just hear everyone saying “Ooh ,I wouldn’t do that, make it much too heavy”. Well yes, it made it a tiny bit heavier , but it now impacts so solidly when I wield it that it makes it far more effective . Having a tool with a springy handle requires more energy to get it to bite
just bought a blooming knife, Thanks Charles x
Very helpful. Thank you. I don't like gloves much.
Hi Charles the only tool I don't have is an oscillating hoe. It's on my X mas list with your calendar and book. Hope you have a great Christmas.👍💚🙏😁🎅