Gardening basics: which hand tools do you need?

Most gardeners consider a lawnmower to be a necessity, but what about other tools? A good-quality hand tool may do the job as well as a power tool — at less expense and with much less noise. Read on to decide which tools you need for your garden.

String trimmers often come with edging attachments that can help with leaf shredding, too.

• Place dry leaves in a garbage can and chop them with a string trimmer.

Gas-powered tools tend to be the loudest and electric motors are noticeably quieter.

• Tools powered by rechargeable batteries are not especially powerful, but they're usually less noisy than other types of equipment.

• Don't buy a tool whose on-off switch isn't well marked and easily reached.
• Check the amperage rating for any electric tool before connecting an extension cord (the rating will be listed on the tool). If you don't use an extension cord of sufficient gauge for the amperage, you risk having the tool's motor burn out.
• Disconnect the sparkplug cable on a gas-powered tool to prevent an accidental startup.

Power tools do have a place in the garden. Read on about the different tools you may want to add to your collection, along with their manual alternatives.

• Remember, power tools that aren't used often tend to become undependable, so if you have a small task or one that you perform only once each season, you may benefit from choosing a hand tool.
• You also may be able to rent power tools that you use only occasionally. When renting, reserve tools in advance; shredders, for example, are in great demand in fall.

• Blows leaves into a pile for disposal; cleans up grass after mowing or edging
• Power options: gas or electric
• Manual alternative: rake or broom

• Cuts and trims lawn and border edges
• Power options: gas, electric or battery
• Manual alternative: flat-blade spade or half-moon edger

• Trimming shrubs and hedges; forming hedges into formal shapes or topiary
• Power options: electric, gas or battery
• Manual alternative: hedge clippers

• Chopping up leaves and other garden debris
• Power options: gas or electric
• Manual alternative: pruning loppers or lawnmower

• Trimming grass and weeds, edging
• Power options: gas, electric or battery
• Manual alternative: hedge clippers or half-moon edger

Many tasks in the garden can be completed with a manual tool. If you really feel you need a power tool, consider an electric or battery-operated model or renting one for the job.