Hand trowel is gardeners from balconies and terraces in India face challenges like having to deal with cramped space, scorching summer heat, large and cumbersome pots, and the hustle and bustle of the city.
Through experience at Urban Plant, we have come to understand that the use of appropriate tools makes gardening much easier, more fun, and safe.
1.Hand trowel –
hand trowel is a smaller tool with a narrow blade and is used for digging, planting and removing weeds. A hand trowel with a narrow and strong blade with a comfortable handle is your gardening partner.
Why it matters in Indian homes: Be it planting seeds in tomatoes in the sun-lit terrace or transferring succulents indoors, a hand trowel helps make neat digs in the soil without disturbing other plant roots. Stainless steel blades of the hand trowel come handy for easily digging through the clay-rich soil in most of the cities in India.
Pro tip: Always look for hand trowels having an ergonomic handle, so that your wrists don’t hurt. From our personal experience, we have seen steel blades mounted on sturdy wooden or fibre handles last longer. Never opt for wide blades; they will uproot other plants while you dig through your planters.
Don’ts: Never use a spoon from your kitchen or a hand trowel made of plastic as both of them are fragile and hurt your wrists.
2. Hand Cultivator or Fork – Loosen and Weed with Ease
Hand Trowel and hand cultivators, or forks, have prongs that scratch and loosen soil, provide aeration and weed small patches of land. Horticulture experts state that the robust handle and tines of a cultivator are perfect for breaking up soil in gardens and pots.
Why it matters: Potting soil gets compacted very fast and limits the oxygen supply to the plant roots. Scraping off the surface layer weekly will improve drainage and absorption of nutrients. For terrace vegetable beds, using a cultivator will make weeding fast and protect your nails!
Pro tip: Choose a cultivator that has a comfortable handle and a secure joint where handle meets tines. Indian monsoons tend to cause rust, so dry off the tool after using.
Don’t do these mistakes: Do not loosen too deep – you might disturb the root zone. Stay away from cheap forks that break easily.
3. Pruning Shears – Help Plants Stay Tidy and Healthy
What is it? Hand pruners or pruning shears are used for cutting off dead flowers, trimming branches, and harvesting vegetables. Bypass pruner is the recommended option where one blade passes through the other.
Why does it matter? It is essential to prune plants regularly for better flowering and air flow. Pruning shears help to make plants on balconies more tidy and cut herbs.
Expert tip: If you have arthritis, pick up a pruning shears that have a ratcheting feature or cushioned handles. Blades should be sharp to save your hands from strain. Disinfect blades between plants to prevent infection.
Mistakes to avoid: Do not use regular scissors because they crush stems and make infections easier. Do not over-prune when it’s hot or just before monsoon rains.
4. Hand Cultivator – A tool that has prongs used to make hard soil softer, mix in compost and pull out weeds.
5. Watering Can – A flexible pipe, with a nozzle that can be changed to give plants a constant soft flow of water.
Gardening Methods
Soil Management: Test your soil. Add organic compost or vermicompost to give essential nutrients and help roots grow stronger.
Sunlight Planning: Place your crops or flowers in spots that get the amount of direct sun each day so they can photosynthesize well.
