SPECIAL SECTION // HOME & GARDEN
Down and dirty
Make sure you have the correct garden tools for different outdoor tasks
by LAURA LANGSTON
COSTCO CONNECTION
A variety of garden tools , including pruners , snippers , trowels and loppers , can be found in Costco warehouses and at Costco . co . uk .
When it comes to choosing garden tools , the number of options can leave consumers bewildered . What is essential and what isn ’ t ? Much depends on an individual gardener ’ s needs . However , there are a few tools that every gardener should own , regardless of their garden ’ s size or style . Here ’ s a look .
A classic bypass hand pruner , sometimes called secateurs , is high on the must-have list . The two curved blades on a bypass pruner produce clean cuts that won ’ t tear plants ’ tissue . This makes them ideal for trimming shrubs , perennials or flowers , as well as the occasional soft branch .
Related to the hand pruner are snippers or snips . Snips shouldn ’ t be used for cutting woody material , but they are ideal for harvesting or pruning fresh greenery , for precise work on smaller plants or for getting into tight spaces .
Another essential pruning tool is a lopper or long-handled pruner . Loppers are ideal for trimming shrubs in hard-to-reach areas or woody stems measuring 2.5 centimetres ( 1 inch ) or more in diameter . They come in a variety of lengths but generally range from 41 to 91 centimetres ( 16 to 36 inches ). Longer-handled loppers allow for more leverage and make it easier to reach higher branches , while shorter ones are easier to use for trimming shrubs . Some loppers have extendable handles , giving you the best of both options .
Some garden tasks , like removing a diseased tree branch or shaping a tree , aren ’ t suitable for loppers or handheld pruners , and that ’ s where a pruning saw comes in . Designed to cut through wood on both the push and pull strokes , pruning saws are ideal for removing tree or shrub branches that are 5 to 13 centimetres ( 2 to 5 inches ) in diameter .
Another essential tool is a handheld garden trowel or hand shovel . Indispensable when you ’ re on your knees digging small holes in garden beds , a trowel is also useful for removing weeds , rearranging plants in pots or transplanting bedding plants . Trowel
26 Costco Connection FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022