Have a garden job but not the tools to handle it? Renting could be an option

Gardening is a rewarding and fulfilling hobby or lifestyle that allows individuals to connect with nature, create beautiful landscapes and grow their own food. Gardening requires dedication and a lot of patience, so having the right tools can enhance the job plus make the job more efficient.

Perhaps you have rented a tool from an equipment rental service company. It was most likely a construction tool for the building contractor and do-it-yourself homeowner. Well, did you know the home gardener can rent tools also? There are many tool renting establishments located throughout the area. Some of the big-box stores also rent tools. You might be able to obtain a rental catalog that will list tools and usage.

If you don’t have the right tool for the gardening job you are doing, a rental equipment company is the perfect solution. Some of the advantages are increased flexibility without the commitment or price. Some companies are open 24/7. Maybe you don’t have room for a big tool like a tiller. Pruning tools such as shears and loppers will help the gardener to remove large dead or diseased branches, stimulating new growth and enhancing the health of the plant.

Using appropriate tools like hedge shears, secateurs and hand cultivators will give you accurate cuts, precise shaping and delicate handling of plants.

Safety is always a priority while using tools and that includes gardening. Tools provide protection against hazards, such as gloves protecting your hands from thorns and blisters. Knee pads provide comfort and prevent knee injuries. Garden hoes and weeders reduce the need for excessive bending and lessen a strained back.

The right tool makes the job easier

You can rent gardening tools to meet your needs, such as basic hand tools to advanced machinery. The tool should suit various gardening tasks and environments, whether you are cultivating a small urban garden or managing a large-scale landscape, so having the right tool ensures that you can handle any situation. Tools like rakes, shovels and pruners can be used for several gardening activities, which makes them indispensable.

Did you know gardening tools contribute significantly to the health and growth of plants? Tools such as rakes and spades help loosen and aerate the soil. Watering tools like sprinklers and hoses ensure that plants receive adequate hydration, preventing water stress and promoting vigorous growth.

With the right tools, a gardener can unleash their creativity and design skills. Tools like trowels, shovels and gardening forks will help the gardener create well-defined garden beds, borders and pathways. They will enable precise planting of flowers, shrubs and vegetables, giving an aesthetically pleasing arrangement. Specialized tools like bulb drills facilitate accurate and evenly-spaced plantings.

Investing in these tools may not be in your budget, or you may not have the space to house them. Another solution is sharing your tools with friends or neighbors.

Master Gardener classes slated for September

The fall Master Gardener class will begin Sept. 9 and will meet continuously each Wednesday until Nov. 25.

Subjects include Soils — Harmful Algal Blooms and Nutrient Loading and the Effect on, Soil Chemistry, Botany, Plant Identification, Plant Physiology, Vegetables, Plant Propagation and Plant Pathology (intro), Turf/Lawns, Tropical Plants and Houseplants, IPM, Fruit, and Plant Path, Entomology, Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, General Pesticide Safety, General Agricultural Practices training, “What do Master Gardeners Do?”, Herbicides, Insecticides, miticides, fungicides, and Organics. This is the tentative schedule and may change. Study/information textbook is provided.

Sessions will be held at the EHOVE Career Center, 316 W. Mason Road, Milan in high school Room 101 (Presentation Center) from 6 to 9 p.m. Cost is $175 and will include participants/interns from Erie, Huron, and Sandusky-Ottawa counties.

Call and make payment to register as soon as possible. Send check to Sandusky County Extension office, 2000 Countryside Drive, Suite D, Fremont, OH 43420, or call 419-334-6340 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Susan La Fountaine is a Master Gardener for Sandusky and Ottawa counties Extension Services.