When you start planting your first garden you will probably only want to use your bare hands to do the work. It probably won't take very long for you to learn just how helpful gardening tools can be. It is easy to be tempted into buying a whole bunch of tools after you've been working with your hands for a long time. Try to fight the temptation! You could spend far too much money on tools that are not going to be useful to you. Start slow with just a few essentials and then build your collection from there. If your garden is not very big you will probably learn that you only need a few simple tools to do the work. Use the tools we talk about in this article to begin your gardening tool collection. Mini Hacksaw

Every gardener needs a good and sturdy pair of gardening gloves. Gardening gloves protect your hands while you work with your plants and with the earth. Using your bare hands to dig in the dirt can feel very satisfying but gloves are usually necessary for the purposes of protection. One example of this is the rosebush: wearing gardening gloves will help keep your hands safe from the sharp thorns that stick out of rose stems. Heavy duty hacksaw

Gloves also provide protection for your hands when you work with substances that will leave residue behind like fertilizer and compost. There are a lot of bugs and other creatures that are going to take up residence in your garden; your gloves keep you from having to touch them directly.

Pitchforks are wonderfully useful gardening tools, even for gardeners who have no plans for large gardens. A pitchfork is, basically, a large scale trowel or spade (it does the same work, it just does more of it). Pitchforks are great earth turners, compost movers and soil aerators. Compost needs to be turned as it breaks down and decomposes-you will need to have a pitchfork to help you with the turning. If you don't turn your compost it will just get hard and you won't be able to use it. Stubby Claw Hammer

For gardeners who plant and work with the actual ground (instead of containers) a shovel is a necessity. For gardeners who garden over large plots of land, a shovel with a long handle is something that they must purchase. Shovels are good for quickly and easily scooping and moving dirt. It is certainly possible to do the same thing with your hands but your shovel will give you nicer looking results. Trying to transport dirt, earth and other items without a shovel just makes your job as a gardener that much harder. Your long handled shovel will save you a lot of time and strain as you work in your garden. Gardening can be a great hobby or a great job! As you become more proficient at gardening don't be surprised if you find yourself tempted by all of the tools that you find at the gardening store or nursery. Instead of spending too much money on tools you may never use begin with the basics. Eventually you will figure out what tools you really need and which tools aren't really necessary.

If you've been working in the garden for any amount of time, you have more than likely worked with a shovel or you've needed the services of a shovel at one time or another. There is nothing more frustrating about working with a shovel than to not know exactly which kind to use for any particular job. In this article you will learn information that pertains to all the different types of shovels available, and how to choose the right one for any specific job you may have. Depending on the specific job you're working on, this will determine the type of tool you'll need for the job and how effective it will be at solving your problem. Long Handle shovel

* What is a shovel?

A shovel is used for lifting, digging, and moving different types of material that can be scooped or shoveled from one location to the next. These tools can be used for dirt, gravel, sand, snow, and garden soil. These types of tools are common to every household and are used on a frequent basis. You will find that many of these tools are made with steel blades and wooden handles; however, they can be found with hardened plastic blades and fiber glass handles.

* What is the difference between a shovel and a spade?

Many people call a spade a shovel and vice-verse, but the truth of the matter is a spade is pointed or sharp edged, and is used for breaking up hard ground so it can be shoveled out in a proper manner. The square head with a flat front is the design for a basic shovel. They are meant for shoveling all types of materials that simply need to be moved from one location to the next.

* How many different shovels are available?

There are many different styles and types available for about every kind of job you can think of. There are long handles, short handles, fiberglass, steel, hardened wood, and aluminum. Some are made for snow, coal, dirt and gravel, and others are made for gardening, sand, and horse barns. If you need a specific type, there is a shovel for every type of job imaginable. Round Mouth Shovel

* Why choose a short handle over a long handle?

When using the right tool for the right job this will help you get the work done a lot quicker and without hurting yourself. So choosing a long handle over a short handle really amounts to leverage, or the area in which you have to work in. The long handle will give you all the leverage you need, but you have to be careful not to put too much pressure on the handle for fear it might break. The short handle will allow you to get in to tight spots and get the work done much quicker, and without too much difficulty. FORGE

Choosing the right tool for any job is important, but knowing the type of shovel you'll need will help to save your back and prevent an unforeseen injury. Working in the garden will require having both a spade and a flat head which will help you with any job you may have in the garden.

Stephen Jay Jackson is an article content writer that writes informational and educational content for gardening tips and ideas.