28TH MARCH 2023
EVERY HORTICULTURIST NEEDS TO KNOW
I know what your thinking, how are we a third of our way through the year already? Winter was long cold and dark but all of a sudden April is approaching. I'm pottering out in the gardens most weeks, throughout the year, as it is a part of horticulture that I refuse to give up. But for most of us, this is the time for the mad rush. Getting back out into the gardens after winter to begin the spring cleanup.
Especially those of us who's gardens are thoroughly planted.
Being out in the gardens keeps my mind inspired, my body active and my mental in check. We often forget how valuable a couple hours out the sun can be for our metal health but there are a few everyday tools that I couldn't be without during that time.
Pruning secateurs, geared secateurs and sheers.
From a young teenager studying horticulture as a profession, one of the first things you're taught are the tools that should always be on your person for professionalism, hand in hand the care and maintenance for those tools. I don't tend to follow trends or the latest fashion, I use what I've been recommended by senior professionals, what works works best for me and what provides the best finishing result so you wont find any advertising sponsors here.
SECATEURS
Why is it important to use secateurs? Using secateurs is important for pruning and trimming plants because they provide a clean and precise cut, which helps to prevent damage to the plant and promotes healthy growth. Additionally, using secateurs can reduce the risk of transmitting diseases from one plant to another, as they can be sanitised between cuts.
Greedy, I know...
But over the course of ten-plus years of maintenance, gardening and restoratitive horticulture, I find it's best to have three types of secateurs.
Two of those stay in my holster or trouser pocket for quick accessibility and the third I tend to keep somewhere safe.
Dependant on the weeks work load and location, usually in a glass house or my car.
As they only come out on special occasions.
The first two are for everyday use
One pair are always geared. As they take the strain for you. Using a gear mechanism will increase cutting power and make cutting thicker branches far easier on your hands.
As any of us who have been working gardens for a couple years know the pain of repetitive strain.
Therefore a quick and easy solution to fast work for lots of heavy pruning. Geared secateurs aren't always the most reliable or comfortable as they have a lot more components which are prone to breaking in comparison to normal secateurs but nether the less I'd be lost without them.
I'm yet to find a branded pair of geared secateurs better than my go-to's. Which are simply just
Spear and Jackson, Razor sharp Advance Ratchet Secateurs
By far some of the most comfortable geared secateurs I've used without that clunky cutting power change. Absorbing any handle ricochet into the spring mechanism, reducing strain on your hand and wrist which I have found essential managing large properties with endless amounts of pruning throughout the winter. Not the most fashionable or current but reliable, comfortable and ease of use.
My second pair which are most commonly used day to day and have placement in my holster. Rarely leaving my side even whilst I'm away from the garden, they tend to live in my bag. They are not a common choice for most, but they fit my hand like a glove, and when I'm spending 8 hours in the garden repetitively cutting, having a pair that is a comfortable extension of my hand is compulsory.
Therefore I use Felco Model 6 Compact Secateurs
My third pair was a gift from a very dear friend and one of my first true clients. I tend to use these secateurs when I know I have a full day of light pruning, for instance, when autumn approaches and the bush roses need a reduction to prevent wind rot. They have a rotating handle. Some people find it useful, others find it to be a nuisance
I find it to be a luxury
Felco Model 12 Compact Deluxe Secateurs
How to maintain and care for secateurs? To maintain and care for secateurs, you should regularly clean the blades with a soft cloth and lubricate them with oil. It's also important to sharpen the blades regularly to ensure they cut cleanly. Store the secateurs in a dry place and keep them out of extreme temperatures. Lastly, replace any worn or damaged parts to ensure optimal performance.
SHEARS
Why is it important to use garden sheers? Garden shears are important for maintaining the health and appearance of your plants. They allow for precise and clean cuts, which helps prevent damage to the plant and promotes proper growth. Additionally, regular pruning with shears can encourage the plant to produce more flowers or fruit.
I recommend having two pairs of large shears. One for the rough and ready daily use
and the other for the more precise small leaf topiary that are prone to infection, i think you know the blighter I'm talking about, Buxus Semprevirens. Therefore reducing spread of infection but also keeping the 'neat pair' tidy.
Along side the precise pair of large shears, I recommend pairing these with a small pair of hand shears. Enabling a tight and neat cut for those hard to get areas.
My rough and ready go to pair of shears are
Spear and Jackson 8110RS/09 Razor sharp Hedge Shears
They rarely fail me, being reliable, light weight and easy to use. Complete with non slip comfort handle grip, the blades are chrome plated - allowing you to slice through even thick branches and stems. No strangers to manufacturing value for money, simple gardening tools. the Spear and Jackson brand have not disappointed with this set, the Spear Jackson RazorSharp bypass hedge shears . Although some of the cheaper shears, they deserve a place on my top garden shears list when it comes to cost and performance.
My second pair of shears are
RHS Burgon and Ball precision shears
Slightly heavier, but cut like a warm knife through butter. Whisper smooth action, lightweight alloy handles with grey rubber grips and cushion stops to reduce jarring. Slight angle between blades and handles makes for easy trimming of flat hedge surfaces.
Paired along side
Niwaki Sentei Topiary Clippers
For a seamless finish. Nothing beats these one-handed Niwaki Topiary Clippers for box clipping and other topiary: easy on the hand thanks to the 5" blades and spring action, easy on the eye thanks to the graceful, simple design, and infinitely better than ordinary shears.
SHOP MY GARDEN FAVOURITES
