Gardening tools are an important weapon in a gardener's arsenal. Imagine trying to dig without a shovel, or rake without, well, a rake. It wouldn't be easy. So why use garden tools that are rusted, have lost their edge and are warped? It doesn't make sense. Article continues below:

Spring and fall are garden clean up time. Drag out those tools and give them a good cleaning before you get started on the landscaping. You might want to take inventory of what tools you need to purchase.

The basic gardener's tool kit should contain a grass rake, hard rake, straight edge and rounded shovels, plus a pick axe. Add several sizes of trowels, a cultivator and weed remover. You'll also need cutting tools, pruners, hedge clippers, and saw. If you think there will be lots of tree trimming add an electric or gas powered chain saw.

A few buckets make it easy to tote soil, mulch, and compost around. Outfit one of the buckets with an apron specially made to hold tools in the pockets. The apron ties around the bucket.

A knee pad and gardening stool make the work a little easier. It's painful to kneel on a rock, the knee pad prevents that. A wide brimmed hat keeps the sun off your face. Wipe the inside of the brim with insect repellant to keep flies and gnats away.

Some gardeners don't like to wear gloves but they're a necessity when you're pruning roses or other bushes with thorns. They should be worn when digging or handling fertilizer as well. A pair of clear safety goggles are a good idea when using a tiller, weed eater, lawn mower or any equipment that throws back debris.

Other tools that may be required are based on the size of your property and how much maintenance is required. A lawn mower and edger is a must-have. For large expanses of lawns a riding mower cuts down on labor and gets that weekly chore out of the way faster. Electric pruners make short work of trimming the hedges. And if you plan on revitalizing flower beds or installing new ones in, a tiller cuts the job in half.

Now that you have the tools you need keep them in working condition. Put them away after usage. For tools that have an edge, like trowels and hand shovels, plunge them in a bucket of builder's sand that has motor oil added to it. The sand keeps the tool sharp and the oil prevents rust.

Happy gardening.