Help With Gardening Supplies Needed

Janets_Daughter

Good Morning Everyone,

I work in a supported housing scheme with a large garden. Some of the residents have expressed an interest in cultivating the garden (planting flowers and vegetables).

My question is: What basic tools or other supplies would get us off to a good start? I have no idea about gardening, so any advice will be gratefully received!

Thank you

Vibrant

Hi,
a set of basic tools would be:

A spade and fork, possibly the border variety, which are slightly smaller than normal. Which makes the work lighter, less likely to get strained backs in the over enthusiastic.

A Dutch hoe for weeding and working the soil between rows.

A rake for initial bed preparation.

Trowel and hand fork and Secateurs (bypass type my preference)

If people get keen, they will improvise many of their own tools. I use a patio knife for lots of things and for pricking out I use a teaspoon handle, much to my mums disgust, who one year bought me a very nice pricking out set. I did try to use it, but I prefer the teaspoon

That would be enough tools to work most gardens, although if it is badly overgrown with brambles etc, some loppers would be helpful.
A useful place to get tools is the recycle center (or rubbish tip to us oldies), they often have a bin full. I have picked up a few, very good tools, which just needed cleaning and sharpening.