When planning or maintaining a garden, having the right tool for the right job can make it a lot more enjoyable. But the cost of gardening tools can sometimes be prohibitive. A few simple hints on where to find some good bargains can keep your gardening AND your wallet growing and healthy.
When planning or maintaining a garden, having the right tool for the right job can make it a lot more enjoyable. But the cost of gardening tools can sometimes be prohibitive. A few simple hints on where to find some good bargains can keep your gardening AND your wallet growing and healthy.
One method is to buy used gardening tools from garage sales, flea markets, and thrift stores. It may take a little time to hone such tools as hand-held pruners and shears, but chances are you’ll spend less than $1 on something that otherwise would have gone straight into the trash bin or recycling center – and it might just prove unbeatable for the task at hand. Another tip: if you know anyone who gardens, ask if they have anything that needs a new home.
You can also buy brand-new tools if you do a little homework looking for sales and finding out when gardening stores offer coupons or other discounts at their outlets. In addition, some large hardware chains offer low prices on shovels, rakes, and other basic equipment during the late spring and summer months when people are getting their yards ready for warmer weather.
If you’re looking to purchase online, here’s another tip: many sites require registration before allowing users to search through their inventory of products for sale. Once registered, you often receive e-mail alerts about sales, product updates, or special offers. You may also be able to create an account that allows you access to your “wish list” of desired items.
Another way to save when buying garden tools is to consider multi-purpose ones that can serve more than one function. For example, some tools are actually a combination spade, fork, and scoop – three tools for the price of one! It also has a special area on its head so you can hammer it into the ground if necessary.
You’ll pay around $50 for this all-in-one multi-purpose tool at your garden center or hardware store. That might seem expensive compared to just buying a shovel for $5-$10, but over time you’ll save money because you won’t need to purchase other equipment to handle the jobs that this shovel can do.
There’s no question that buying quality garden tools will cost you more in the short run; but if they’re properly maintained and used for their intended purpose, they should last a good many years. In fact, some of my favorite hand-held pruners are probably 40 years old! But inexpensive ones purchased from a big chain store aren’t necessarily going to hold up over time any better than the expensive varieties – so keep this in mind when shopping around.
You might want to invest in a few good-quality pieces of equipment right away and gradually add them to your collection as you can afford it. Most importantly, plan ahead and buy what you need before you actually need it to avoid being tempted by last-minute impulse purchases.
As a final note, I’m curious about this same subject from the perspective of the gardener doing the purchasing. In your opinion, what is worth spending more money on when buying gardening tools – and why? Feel free to leave comments in the space provided below. Until next time, happy gardening!
6 Places Where you can get gardening tools cheaper
1. Yard sales
Gardening, like exercise, is a passion that can quickly grow old for some people. When that happens, they’ll be looking for a way to reap some return on investment for the tools they’ve purchased. Higher-income neighborhoods and housing developments are generally the best places for these sorts of bargains.
2. Estate sales
These sales are often held when a person passes away. Chances are, if the garden tool has outlasted its owner, it’ll be a good investment for you. Also, garden tools from days gone by are often of higher quality than the plastic tools of today.
3. Auctions
Search your classified for auction listings, or check out your yellow pages for auction houses near you. Good auctions combine the best of both yard sales and estate sales. Beware of the regular auctions that sell new goods – often, the quality just isn’t there.
4. Craigslist
Be sure to check listings in different categories. Although there’s usually a farm and garden category, gardening tools may also be found in these sections: tools, materials, general, household. Don’t forget the free section.
5. Classifieds
Freebie community papers are usually the best sources of these types of goods. Because the ads are free to place, you’re likely to find more ads offering tools for sale. You can also often place your own ad, seeking inexpensive tools.
6. Neighbors
If you only need a tool for a brief time – say a tiller at the beginning of the season – check with your neighbors. Often you can borrow what you need, or rent it cheaply. Offer to till your neighbor’s garden, too! It’s only fair!
Tip: Gardening tools are an investment.
No matter where you buy them, be sure they’re of good quality – a poor quality tool at any price is no bargain. Check the feel of the tool – its weight, the handle, the grip – and go through the motions of using it a few times to make sure it’s right for you. Also make sure the handle is securely attached. Generally, wooden handles are preferred over metal or plastic handles, because the handles can be replaced. However, when buying a new tool, many metal-handle tool manufacturers offer long warranties on their handles, so be sure to check.
