When I first thought about trying Urban Farming, I thought it was all about just being able to grow vegies well. But as I move forward and look at the challenges, I realised there is actually much more to it. That is why we wrote The Bigger Picture.
In this article I'd like to talk about tools and equipment. When I was young things lasted longer. I still own a saw (my grandfathers) that was made just after the US Civil War! This saw was used through until the 1950's for serious work, by tradesmen, and it still works today! I can still sharpen it, and it still cuts timber well.
Even if you are not an urban farmer, you will still purchase some tools, implements and many items to keep the garden going or for other needs. Choosing the right one so that it will last is so important.
Buckets
Lets start with buckets. Plastics buckets are light, cheap and fail within days or months if you use them, consistently. We live in a cool climate where it gets below zero during winter. Plastic buckets smash when you bump them at these temperatures. Galvanised buckets are better, but can rust. Even better still, is spun stainless steel. I have several of these buckets and can leave them out over night, they don't blow away and long term, they are so much cheaper than going back and buying yet another $1 bucket!
Hose Fittings
Click fittings - what a blessing/curse. When they first came out they were made of - Brass! Great stuff they lasted forever, didn't break and you only had an O-Ring to replace every now and again(more about that soon). Then they made them in plastic! To be blunt, if you keep your hose in the shed in the shade they last. In the sun.... depending on the brand, quality, amount of use, and stress put on them you may get 5 years, usually less.
Now the O-Rings. Leave the fitting on a tap or a sprinkler in the sun and..... 2 years at best. Worse still is that pricing is the same or more for an o-ring as it is for the fitting!
Enough Ranting
Buy steel, quality steel and brass. Quality wooden handles, no cheap imports and use linseed oil to keep them good. Store tools out of the elements and they will last you a lifetime. I still have and use shovels that are older than I am.
Avoid plastic where possible - even with a lifetime guarantee. Whose lifetime yours or the tools? - Never did like that term.
If can buy one that does the job, without electricity, our petrol... try it out, we didn't have whipper snippers in my youth, we used hedge shears. Recently we came across a couple selling Scythes. An ancient and incredibly effective cutting tool. They may look awkward, but are superbly balanced and able to trim grass and lawn to a fine finish. It is even said that early studies say the gentle scything movement is akin to Tai-chi.
Next time you have the opportunity to attend a market or boot sale, keep your eye out for servicable old tools, they are well worth finding and restoring to every day use!
More soon.
