The Essential Tools to Make Farming Easier

If you use your farm to grow food around it, you could be benefiting in several ways. Aside from saving a good amount of money on grocery bills, when you grow your own food you also benefit from the freshness of homegrown food while also conserving the environment. If you haven't started doing that yet, but is looking forward to, here are a list of farm supply products that will make your life much easier. 

Trowel

When it comes to planting tomato seeding or moving a chive plant to a new location, a good travel is your best friend. It is a multipurpose tool that can be used to weeding, transplanting, removing stones, and dividing herbs that are spreading without damaging the roots of nearby produce. When shopping for farm supply, look a trowel that features a comfortable handle and sturdy, sharp sides that can cut into the soil. 

Shovel

A good shovel is essential to adding soil or compost to beds, hilling up potatoes or digging manure under. Different types of shovel are available, including models with a square point or a round point, and a short handle or long handle. Try a couple of types until you find the one that you are most comfortable with. 

Hard Rake

This tool can be useful for a variety of tasks, from smoothing out to adding compost to raised beds. But it can also be dangerous, so make sure to practice rake safely. Never leave your rake lying down with the tines facing up - it can cause serious injury. Instead, lean your rake against a fence or lay it down with the tines facing down. 

Digging Fork

A digging fork is a type of pitchfork with wide, sharp blades. It is a very handy tool for aerating compost or spreading mulch. 

Wheelbarrow

While you may not use your wheelbarrow every day, it is very helpful when it comes to moving soil and distributing compost. Choose a wheelbarrow with sturdy wheels and that is narrow enough to fit between your farm beds. 

Handheld Pruners

While you won't use pruners in vegetable beds very much, they are essential for pruning fruit trees and can be very useful when you need to clip back nearby shrubs that are invading on your raised beds. Pruners are also useful to keep spreading raspberry canes in check too. Choose a sharp, strong pair of pruners that feel comfortable in your hands. 

To get the most of your tools, maintain them well. 

• Use a wire brush to remove soil, soaking off any caked-on mud first. 
• Use a rag to apply vegetable oil to all the metal and wood tool part. 
• Store your tools in a closed space to keep them away from rain, and mud, which can cause rust.

This regular upkeep will prevent rust and keep your tools in good condition for years.