Top 10 Must-Have Allotment Equipment in the Year 2023
In the world of allotment gardening, having the right tools can make a significant difference in the success of your crop. Here's a list of essential tools, based on recommendations from gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh, that will help you manage your plot effectively.
- Hand Tools
- A sturdy hand trowel is invaluable for planting out vegetable plants and onion sets. It's a versatile tool that can help you with a variety of tasks. More on choosing the best trowels
- A hand fork, or border fork, is ideal for digging over stony or clay soil and breaking down clods of earth. It's a must-have for preparing your plot.
- A weeding hoe, such as a swan neck hoe, is perfect for slicing weeds off at the root and for getting in between rows.
- A draw hoe is useful for weeding, for drawing drills in the ground ready for seed sowing, and for pulling the soil back over the seeds.
- Cultivating Tools
- A border spade, smaller than a digging spade, lifts less soil and is perfect for working in tight spaces.
- A rake is essential for levelling the soil for seed sowing and for general maintenance.
- A weeding hoe, specifically a swan neck hoe, is recommended for slicing weeds off at the root and for getting in between rows.
- Other Useful Tools
- A garden line, pushed into the soil and stretched taut, helps in planting and making seed drills in a straight line.
- A wooden plank, laid on the ground next to drills or planting rows, stops compaction and keeps the ground even.
- A kneeler, useful for seed sowing, planting, and hand weeding, protects your knees and keeps them dry.
- A trug basket is essential for harvesting crops. More on finding the right garden trugs
- Storage and Organization
- A garden shed is a great investment for keeping your tools in tip-top condition and for storing your equipment safely and securely.
- A guide on the best garden trugs is available for finding the right garden trug.
- Modern Recommendations
- Specialized weeders, like the Extreme Weeder, can be helpful for specific tasks.
- Organizing equipment to keep tools tidy and accessible improves workflow and garden care.
- Bonus Resource
- For a visual guide on the best allotment essentials in 2023, check out this video guide.
[1] Essential tools for an allotment in 2023 include secateurs (pruning shears), watering cans, cultivating tools (such as hoes or forks), hand tools (like trowels and hand forks), a rake, and twine. These tools cover the basic needs for planting, maintaining, and harvesting crops efficiently.
[3] Modern recommendations for ease and efficiency in small-scale food growing plots like allotments include specialized weeders and organizing equipment to keep tools tidy and accessible.
[4] The emphasis is on versatile and ergonomic tools to manage soil preparation, planting, watering, trimming, and general maintenance effectively.
- Consider using raised beds as a part of your home-and-garden lifestyle when planning your small-scale food growing plot, as they provide excellent drainage and are easier to maintain.
- To complement your allotment gardening lifestyle, invest in a suitable garden trug, like those recommended in our guide, for efficient crop harvesting.
