10 essential allotment tools and kit
Starting off a vegetable plot or allotment? Alan Titchmarsh reveals the essential kit you'll need.
In this No Fuss Guide, Alan Titchmarsh runs through essential kit for a productive veg plot. He recommends tools that will enable you to work more easily, and for longer. Then, he shares advice on dealing with stony or clay soils and explains the uses for different types of hoe. Finally, Alan turns his attention to the smaller but equally important tools and accessories for the allotment, and explains how to ensure your crops are sown in straight lines.
Are you properly equipped for growing fruit and vegetables? Find out, in our short video guide.
Keep your tools in tip top condition - our experts have put the best pressure washers through their paces, so you can buy with confidence.
10 tools to maintain a veg plot or allotment
Border spade
Smaller than a digging spade a border spade lifts less soil so it’s easier to use and allows you to work for longer.
For help choosing a border spade see our Reviews and Buyers Guide
Border fork
A border fork is great for digging over stony or clay soil. You can also use the back of the fork to break down clods of earth to create a finer tilth.
Rake
The perfect levelling tool a rake is run back and forth across the surface of the soil to create a fine tilth for seed sowing.
Weeding Hoe
There are lots of different types of hoe. A swan neck hoe is good for slicing weeds off at the root and for getting in between rows.
For help choosing a hoe see our Buyer’s Guide video and reviews
Draw hoe
A draw hoe is good for weeding but is also useful for drawing drills in the ground ready for seed sowing and for pulling the soil back over the seeds.
Wooden plank
A plank, laid on the ground next to drills or planting rows, stops you walking on newly dug and levelled soil and helps to avoid compaction and keep the ground even.
Kneeler
Useful when you’re seed sowing, planting and hand weeding a kneeler will protect your knees and keep them dry.
Trowel
A sturdy hand trowel is useful for planting out vegetable plants and onion sets.
Garden Line
A garden line, pushed into the soil and stretched taut will help you plant and make seed drills in a straight line.
Trug
Just the thing for collecting your harvests!
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