GardenersCardiff answers:

Fun! This is challenging my own knowledge. I hope I don’t make myself look foolish…lol.

List of “hand tools only”…

Shovels.. (round point & square)
Rakes.. (leaf and hard grading rake)
Hand pruners (preferably “Felco”)
Pruning loppers (anvil, bypass,or ratchet)
Pruning Shears (scissor)
Pruning Saw (fold out)
Weeding Hoe
Trowel
Wheel Barrow or Garden Cart
Pitchfork or Spud Fork
Garden Pick
Post Hole Digger
Bulb Planter
Knee Pads or good pillow
Gloves (leather or cotton)
Bottle of Sun Screen (SPF 50+)
Big Brimmed “Ecuadorian” Hat… Aka “Panama” (to deter UV)
Tall Pitcher of iced, freshly squeezed “lemonade” sitting on the table under the umbrella, next to the comfortable patio chairs. Man, I’m getting thirsty already..lol

**Billy Ray**

GardenersCardiff answers:

Try being proactive also by driving/walking past different homes and looking in the property where possible. A lot of properties have loads of junk piled up in their yard or other major issues that you might spot that should be repaired. Take notes and the address and return to make a flyer that targets those issues or better yet knock on the door and maybe negotiate a deal (depending on how good a salesman you are

I’m not sure how it works there but maybe inquire at the local council if they have tenders or any public works available (they should be supporting their local business). Join the Chamber of Commerce if you have that in Britain and see if you can network there as there is usually some council members that attend meetings.

Also advertise in your local paper (usually not that expensive) and leave your brochures on notice boards where ever you can (libraries, townhall, schools, pub etc etc).

You could maybe have a promo where if your client recommends you to someone else whom gives you a job you provide a discount to both or just provide a 10% discount to every first time customer. Not sure if these are practical ideas but they might work.

Good luck

GardenersCardiff answers:

We take gas powered gardening tools here where I work
No electric

GardenersCardiff answers:

I now live in St. Louis, but lived in Minnesota for 5 years, and whatever you are going to do you should have a plan executed by the endof October! I would stake out the area(s) you can use pegs and string, remove all grass(It’s just a thing I have about it coming back) and til the areas, dig at least 6-8 inches down, and loosen the dirt really well. Don’t worry about lumps and all, you can let the area sit over the winter, the gorund will be ready to plant in Spring.
My zone for planting in StL is 5, and I know you can plant alot of things under zone 5. You will want to watch your areas for amount of sun and shade as most perennials are pretty particular to those specifics. Full sun means at least 6 hours….part sun is anything less than that. You can spend the winter planning your flowers so you don’t “impulse” buy! You can plan your colors, heights, textures, and blooming times. It would be fun to draw it out on paper. There are alot of gardening sites and plant shopping sites that have great info. Some of your plants can be ordered on line and you can save money and time. This may be alot more than what you were wanting to do, and you can modify it. The most important thing for success is knowing your plants and that comes from research.
I have had to do alot of plants trial and error. Although the plant is zoned for your area sometimes they just don’t do well, so be patient, gardening is just that “trial and error” Good luck and have fun

GardenersCardiff answers:

You may have subconcious plans to make changes in your life.

GardenersCardiff answers:

Matt:

Your question covers a great deal of area. The diversity of garden tools is unbelievable but I will offer a few comments.

Sharpening any tool, garden or otherwise, is a process of reestablishing the factory shape and cutting edge. A few GOOD files (don’t skimp on files, cheap files are just that) are essential. A midsized vice of reasonable quality will make life a lot easier. A nice but not necessary item is a midsized midcost grinder. A six inch grinder will do a fine job on damaged tools providing they are salvageable. All that remains is some elbow grease and patience.

Sharpening powered tools like chainsaw chains, hedge trimmer and so forth can be a bit tricky. Some hands on instruction would be very helpful in this area. Some items in the power catagory likes mower blades are doable by weekend gardners. A balance checker, usually available where mowers and mower parts are sold, is important. Keeping the blade balanced is important to safety and to the life expectancy of your mower engine. I do mower blades with a file. Some use a grinder, I think it’s a matter of personal preferance and perhaps speed required by professional sharpenes.

I did a Yahoo search, “How to sharpen garden tools”. I received several hits for books and magazine articles. Take a look at the book rack in a home improvement center. You might find something there.

Last thought: You are, of course, free to spend your money as you see fit but I wouldn’t spend any of my money on any of the cheap sharpeners. Sharpening tools just has too many variables to make any of them get my money.

If you care to discuss a particular tool, contact me through my profile and I’ll do my best to help.

GardenersCardiff answers:

I am a long time gardener, and I own a variety of tools, each does a specific job. If your friend is going to plant roses or shrubs, a pair of hand pruners would be welcome (about $12).

A shovel is great (I only use short handled ones, I like that type best). $8 – $15

Small tools like a trowel and a hand hoe are nice (I never use a big hoe,it’s too much work). $5 – 10

And gloves. Nice, leather gloves, the thinner the better ($10).

A metal rake, the kind for moving soil or small rocks as opposed to the floppy leaf rake. I love to use a heavy rake to smooth out planting beds. $8 – 12

A good book on gardening, preferably organic gardening would be the best gift of all. $20

There are some excellent gardening forums in cyber land too, with people who have all sorts of know how.

If you shop around, you might find very cheap garden tools as stores tend to try to get rid of all that stuff by the end of summer.

I can garden anywhere with gloves, a shovel, a rake and a trowel. I can only prune things if I have snips, so those are the basics, for me (been gardening a long, long time).

GardenersCardiff answers:

Get a securiy video system they are cheap. And you can monitor it from any pc in the world. Here’s a direct link to some on ebay.

GardenersCardiff answers:

There are generally times of day when this is permitted.

I actually quite like the sound of a lawnmower working.

GardenersCardiff answers:

You could make a simple box long enough to hold your gardening tools with a hinged lid. Finish this off with a back on it and convert it to a bench. I would put a few holes in the bottom for drainage of moisture. If you do make it, try to make the lid for the box wider and longer than the box itself so any rain would run off of it and not into it.

Good luck hope it helps