More Garden tools

Trowel and hand fork
For planting, making seed drills, and removing small weeds. Also useful for mixing potting compost and harvesting small vegetables. Technique:When planting, hold the handle so that the end sits in the palm of your hand. Dig a hole by pushing the trowel or fork into the soil and pulling towards you. Grip the handle lengthways for scooping and breaking up the soil.
Buying: Choose models with comfortable handles and sturdy joins with blade or prongs. These tools are available in different sizes and with long handles. Brightly coloured (or painted) tools are harder to lose!

Hoes
For removing weed between plants.Technique:The long handle lets you keep your back straight while using the blade to uproot or sever weeds from their roots. Best used when the soil is dry (for easier skimming) and in sunny weather so the weeds dry out before they can root again. Keep the blade clean and sharpen regularly (eg with sharpening stone).
Buying:‘Dutch’ or ‘push’ hoes glide over (or just under) the soil surface; push them away from you to use. ‘Draw’ hoes have blades at a right angle to the handle, better for hacking down larger weeds (and earthing-up potatoes). To use, pull them towards you. Walk backwards when hoeing to avoid standing on weeds and pressing them into the soil.

Garden rake
With short parallel teeth for levelling the soil to a fine ‘tilth’ (crumbly surface) ready for planting or sowing. Technique:Hold a rake with hands positioned apart on the handle, pushing and pulling it over the soil to level it, collecting plant debris and large stones without moving lots of soil.
Buying:Choose sturdy models with appropriate handle lengths for user.

Wheelbarrow
For transporting all manner of materials and harvests. Technique:Load weight evenly, but stack over the wheels first for easier lifting. Position your body straight on to the handles before lifting (to avoid twisting). Never push too much weight and go especially carefully in wet conditions. Take the barrow up slopes at gentle angles.
Buying:Choose strong, well-balanced designs; metal and plastic are available. Buy appropriate sizes, with one or two tyres.

Secateurs 
For cutting plant stems, eg herbs and bushes. Technique: Cut stems up to 1cm thick. Position stems for cutting at the back of the blade for maximum leverage.
Buying:Choose good quality, preferably where blades can be removed for sharpening.