Efficient farming and gardening rely heavily on the right tools which enable the production and processing of food, to this end, agriculture serves as the foundation. As a farmer, home gardener, or as part of a larger agricultural enterprise, hand tools have a great significance in accomplishing many repetitive daily work activities. In New Zealand's Auckland region, a number of suppliers offer quality agricultural hand tools designed to provide long-lasting service and efficiency to various farming enterprises. This blog discusses the types of agricultural hand tools you can find in Auckland, their uses, and the suppliers you can get them from. 

The Benefits of Agricultural Hand Tools

Agricultural hand tools are a vital addition to any set of tools, and have been used for centuries to perform various tasks within a farm. Many people are familiar with the modern mechanized form of farming, yet these tools are a necessity in small-scale farming, gardening, and specialized agricultural activities. Hand tools offer the following:

Precision: Using hand operated tools enables farmers to complete delicate tasks that delicate pieces of machinery fail to handle efficiently. 

Affordability: Unlike large sophisticated machines used in agriculture, hand operated tools are more cost effective.

Convenience: Most hand tools do not require electricity or fuel, hence they can be used anywhere without the need to look for a power source.

Reduction in Carbon Emissions: Mechanized equipment greatly contributes to carbon emissions which hinder environmental welfare. The tools assist in fostering eco-friendly farming

Common Agricultural Hand Tools and Their Uses 

1. Hoes.   

Use: For breaking up the soil (tiling), weeding, and shaping beds for planting.   

Types:   

Draw Hoe – employed for deep soil cultivation.   

Scuffle Hoe – Enables weed cutting just below the ground surface.   

Warren Hoe – helpful in making furrows for planting seeds.   

2. Spades and Shovels  

Use: Helpful for digging, soil cultivation, and growing plants.

Types:   

Garden Spade – enables soil penetration and loosening.

Pointed Shovel – beneficial for tasks in hard and rocky soils.  

Square Shovel – Effective in moving soil, compost, or mulch.  

3. Hand Trowels  

Use: Best for planting and small plants digging holes, and mixing soil.  

Feature: Essential for small scale farming and gardening.  

4. Rakes  

Use: Good for leveling the soil, removal of trash, and spreading mulch.  

Types:   

Garden Rake – Helpful in breaking the soil and removal of stones.  

Leaf Rake – Employed for gathering leaves and other lightweight trash.  

5. Pruners and Shears  

Use: Employed for cutting and trimming of plants, branches, and flowers.  

Types:  

Bypass Pruners – used in work on live plants and green stems.  

Anvil Pruners – most suitable for dead or dry wood cutting.  

Hedge Shears – used for shaping of hedges and shrubs.

6. Sickles and Scythes  

Use: Harvesting crops, cutting grass, and clearing weeds.  

Feature: A curved blade sickle assists in cutting more efficiently as compared to more traditional blades.   

7. Forks (Pitchforks and Digging Forks)  

Use: Needed for turning compost, lifting hay, and aerating soil.  

Types:  

Pitchfork – Best for handling loose hay, straw, and compost.  

Digging Fork – Aiding in Loosening soil and removing weeds.  

8. Hand Sprayers  

Use: Spraying pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers.  

Feature: Can be small or large in size for easy and efficient applications.  

Where to Buy Agricultural Hand Tools in Auckland, New Zealand  

Numerous suppliers provide quality agricultural hand tools for farmers and gardeners in Auckland, some of them being:  

Mitre 10 – Has a variety of gardening and farming tools.  

Bunnings Warehouse – Suppliers of hand tools, sprayers, and other agricultural equipment.  

Farming Equipment Suppliers – Specialized suppliers for commercial farmers.  

Online Marketplaces – Trade Me and Amazon NZ have many tools available for delivery at home.  

Prior to bringing a supplier on board, always check their reviews, pricing, product warranty, and most importantly, product durability to guarantee that you receive good quality tools.

Conclusion

Farming and gardening work becomes easier and efficient with the aid of hand tools. In Auckland New Zealand, there is vast number of suppliers who have quality tools for farmers and gardeners. With proper tools, productivity and crop yield can be maximized with hoes, rakes, pruners, and sprayers.

For those focusing on searching for the most reliable agricultural hand tools suppliers, well-known suppliers in Auckland should be visited so that tools which can sustain farming needs for a long time can be purchased.