Keeping a Japanese garden is not the same as keeping a normal garden and neither are the tools. For more info on Japanese garden tools read on…
Tools for keeping a Japanese garden are specially made to get some unique effects. Some of these Japanese garden tools are:
Hand pruners: to tend a Japanese garden, then these will come in pretty handy. Getting one always proves a wise decision and time saver. There are different types of hand pruners. There is the Felco brand, which has replaceable blades, good handle shape, and blades that are set at just the right angle. There’s the Okatsune pruner which comes in various sizes, so you don’t have to worry if you have pretty large hands. The Tobisho is the greatest of the pruners. They have handmade pruners. Their handles are bare metal, but are easy to use and don’t make your hands uncomfortable. They are most ideal for big branches. Expert Japanese gardeners use iron scissors or the modern shears. Unless you’re very skilled at their use, then it’s better to use the hand pruners.
Hand Saws: the Japanese hand saws have hollow cut teeth and parallel smooth sides. These allow them to cut through branches easily, smoothly and quickly. Although the teeth can hardly be sharpened, they are easily replaceable and affordable. There are two common styles of handsaws that fall within the “Japanese garden tools” group: The folding style and the sheath style.
Folding saws are convenient and offer good protection of the blades. The sheath styles have fixed blades which don’t fold and are protected by a sheath or scabbard. Unlike the folding saws, they are much easier to clean. Most people prefer the sheath styles to the folding styles.
Japanese gardening tools are unique, and as such, should be treated with care. After use, you should ensure that you clean the tools. Clean tools last longer and work better. Using clean tools also prevents the spread of plant diseases, or transferring of contaminants. So after every pruning session, each tool should be properly cleaned and lubricated.
When dealing with diseased plants, disinfectants should be used to clean the tools after use. This measure should be taken especially if the pruner comes in contact with the sap of the infected plant.
Gardening becomes much more enjoyable when you use sharp tools. So sharpen your tools once in a while and for those that can’t be sharpened, replace the blades. Sharp tools make precise and clean cuts, thus leaving a better and sharper look. The best way to sharpen dull gardening tools is always to use natural water stones. If you sharpen your tools often, then you can use the 800/1200 grit stone.
