The Tools You Need and The Ones You Don’t!
Tools like shovels, pick-axes, hoes, and rakes will keep on working with minimal maintenance*. They require no gas or oil as they are human powered. Treat them well, keep them free of rust and you will have useful tools to hand the next generation of gardeners in your life!
Shovels!
Spades… Squares… Rounded? I didn’t realize that there were so many different types of shovels until I started gardening. Without going into a ton of detail of all the different shovels and their various and specific purposes I will list the shovel types that I think are essential for growing in the desert.
Spear Shovel: I just recently got this amazing tool and I wish I knew about it years ago. I use mine to cut up tomato vines in my compost bin, cutting through old roots when planting new trees, to more easily penetrate hard or difficult soil, and digging in general due to its shape. I use it alongside my pickaxe when doing any digging in my yard. If I needed to replace it I would do so in a heartbeat.
If you get a spade and spear shovel you really will not need another shovel, unless you want to start collecting all the various types of shovels.
Wheelbarrows Are Great, Wagons are Better: I used a wheel barrow for my first several years. After getting a wagon I will not be going back. I have found the wagon to have a higher carrying capacity, is more stable, and easier to navigate. This is a tool I use daily and do not suggest you go cheap for either the wheelbarrow or the wagon. (https://amzn.to/3zlRpSD)
Keep Your Tools Sharp!: Shovels, pickaxes/mattocks, if it has an edge you’re going to need to maintain it. Invest in a decent electric tool grinder or some metal files. Your body will thank you later. After years of using a metal file by hand it was time to purchase an electric tool grinder. I decided on this electric grinder that I purchased on amazon: (https://amzn.to/45LNcnj)
There are so many tools for gardening and there’s always some new gizmo meant to make your life easier. The tools I suggest are the classics that have are still in use after thousands of years. I still use a spade shovel that my mother used in her garden when I was young. It’s rather beat up, the tip of the spade needs to be ground back into shape, and the handle replaced but it surprisingly has handled some tough jobs over the past 30 years.
Pick-Axe: Similar to a Mattock this tool also has the pointy spike pick on the backside of the head. If you live in a rocky area in the Southwest like I do then this pick end will be your most invaluable tool. I really cannot explain how much I use and need this tool in my garden when I need to rip through some tough soil or need to remove a large rocks, No matter how hard you try sometimes shovels just won’t cut it. I consider this a must have for anyone trying to grow anything in the desert.
Spade: Get a Spade shovel for your general digging uses. This is the best multi-use shovel to get. It’s your standard shovel that you cannot go wrong with. If you can only afford one shovel get a spade. (https://amzn.to/3xo02vy)
Square : If you’re planning on moving a lot of gravel or something similar I suggest getting this kind of shovel. I do have one and use it when the spade is being used by my wife but the biggest issue I have with these types of shovels is that if the material is even slightly compacted the shovel is slow moving. If the spade is available then I am grabbing that one first. However, if you are tranferring a lot of loose matierial then the square usually carries more per scoop than the spade.
A Standard Garden Rake: I have both your standard gardening rake and I also have one that is very large at 3’ wide. I originally thought bigger meant I would get more work done. I rarely use this rake unless I am really wanting to level out my beds after adding composting or when they are newly built. Your standard garden rake will work well and keep on working. I do not mean the type of rake used for piling up leaves in the Fall. You want the rake with a solid metal head that will help you manage with the rough and rocky soil you will certainly encounter in the desert.
(https://amzn.to/4bhHknb)
Get yourself a truck: If you can get yourself a truck or if you have a SUV that can tow a dump trailer that could also work. I got myself a 1998 Sierra 1500 with an 8’ bed that is perfect for moving wood chips, picking up new fruit trees, or anything that might bang it up. The truck is old, the paint is scuffed and chipped but the engine only had 124,000 miles on it so the shell was more worn than the engine. Depending on the size of your yard a small SUV that can tow a small dump trailer might be a better option for you. If I did not find such a great deal on a truck the trailer route is what I would take.
