Wheelbarrow and Garden Cart

All gardeners, horse owners and builders need a wheelbarrow or garden cart. There are many occasions when you need to transport items in the garden, on a horse farm or on a construction site. Rather than carrying items by hand or making multiple trips, it is more convenient to use a wheelbarrow or garden cart.

What is the Difference Between Wheelbarrow and Garden Cart?

A wheelbarrow and garden cart are very similar in their functionality but each will have advantages and disadvantages dependent upon the task in hand.

-Garden Cart

A garden cart typically has vertical sides and a horizontal tray. Garden carts are usually fitted with four wheels and are designed to be pulled. Some garden carts can be attached to a lawn mower or small motorised tractor. Garden carts usually have large pneumatic wheels that are suitable for smooth surfaces and rougher ‘off-road’ surfaces. They can be more difficult to manoeuvre than wheelbarrows on uneven surfaces.

Large Garden Carts can have a greater load capacity than wheelbarrows but may need more than one person to pull them when fully loaded.

Garden Carts can have solid or mesh sides, sides can usually be lowered to facilitate loading and unloading. Some garden carts are supplied with an internal liner which is essential when transporting small items if the cart has mesh sides.

-Wheelbarrows

The wheelbarrow pans / trays / tubs (the name varies by manufacturer) are usually oblong in shape. The sides will slope to facilitate tipping. Wheelbarrows are pushed from behind and are easier to control and manoeuvre unless they are very heavily laden, or the centre of gravity of the load is too high.  A wheelbarrow usually has one wheel though some will have two. A two wheel barrow is not as nimble as a wheelbarrow with one wheel but may be more stable when tipping. Some barrows have a rounded nose which means they can be tipped at any angle whereas flat nosed barrows can only be tipped forwards.

The final choice of Garden Cart or Wheelbarrow will, most likely, be determined by the user. What to take into account before making your choice

1.Weight of load

Think about the weight of a typical load. Are you moving bricks which are dense and heavy? or are you moving garden waste which is bulky but light?

Space - will you be working in a limited space? or are there access limitations e.g a narrow doorway or gateway? Always make sure your barrow or cart will fit through your narrowest space.

2.Capability of user

If you have mobility issues it may be easier to pull a cart rather than push a wheelbarrow. To load items into a wheelbarrow they will have to be lifted higher than when using a garden cart.

Size –only chose a large heavy cart or barrow if you have the strength to move it. If you will be working in a large area you may be tempted to buy bigger than you can handle.

3.Construction

Metal is strong but will rust, galvanised metal will offer protection to the metal but ultimately you may need to paint the metal. Metal trays can be affected by toxic substances and if used in a stableyard are likely to be affected by animal waste

Plastic trays are lighter, and more weather proof, but are not as strong as metal trays.  Plastic is more resistant to some toxics, e.g. animal waste, that may eat into metal trays. 

What to look for when selecting a wheelbarrow

Metal trolleys are more suitable for heavy loads. A plastic wheelbarrow is slightly lighter than a metal wheelbarrow of the same volume, so you can choose a slightly larger (bulkier) plastic wheelbarrow and not have to push more weight than a smaller metal wheelbarrow.

A plastic wheelbarrow is better suited for use on a horse farm because it is primarily used to carry straw/shavings/hay, which are large and light enough not to be corroded by the horse's droppings.

Then consider what you are capable of carrying. It doesn't make sense to buy a large cart if you don't have the ability to push a fully loaded cart. A smaller or lighter wheelbarrow would make more sense.

Then consider how much space you have to store the wheelbarrow. Most trolleys can be stored outside, but metal trolleys will eventually rust if stored outside for long periods of time. Galvanized metal carts are less likely to rust than painted metal carts. If you plan to store your cattle carts in a shed, garage, etc. when not in use, determine how much space you need.

Then consider whether you want a single- or two-wheeled cart. A single-wheeled wheelbarrow is easier to maneuver than a two-wheeled wheelbarrow, but a two-wheeled wheelbarrow is more stable and easier to tip over than a single-wheeled wheelbarrow.

Gardening Gloves Uses – How To Protect Your Hands In The Garden

There may be many people who believe that gardening without gloves is perfectly safe. However, if you're dealing with thorny things, plants that cause irritation, or poisonous plants, gardening gloves are essential.

Here are a few important uses for gardening gloves, and reasons why you should consider wearing them when gardening.

Legionnaires’ Disease

Legionnaires' disease is a form of pneumonia caused by a bacterium in the soil called Legionella. This bacterium thrives in a moist environment. Therefore, if you live in an area where it rains a lot and the soil is mostly moist, you will need to wear gardening gloves.

In addition to touching, people can easily inhale Legionella bacteria through moisture in the soil or dust when using compost, soil or potting mix products.To prevent inhaling germs, it's also a good idea to wear a dust mask.

Open Cuts And Tetanus

Clostridium tetani is another very dangerous bacterium that is responsible for tetanus infections and is often found in soils that are rich in different types of organisms. Symptoms of tetanus include stiffness, cramping and weakness of the limbs, even leading to partial paralysis.

If you are not vaccinated and your skin is punctured, scraped or broken while gardening, the bacteria can easily pass through your skin and cause an infection. So, to be safe, if you have a cut on your hand, then remember to wear gardening gloves to keep it clean.

Creepy Crawlers

Did you know that there are far more bugs in your garden than you think? Despite the fact that there are many gardeners who have been gardening for over a decade, they still can't stand having bugs crawl on their hands while they work. Not to mention that some bugs are poisonous and can cause illness or injury.

In addition to insects, there can be snakes, spiders, etc. in the garden. When you want to never run into any of them while doing gardening work, gardening gloves are one of your best options. A good pair of gardening gloves will prevent bites and infections without the need for heavy use of those chemical insecticides.

Poisonous Plants

Many garden plants are poisonous or can cause skin irritation. Moreover, even an avid gardener may not be able to correctly identify every plant every time.

Therefore, if you encounter a plant in your garden that you are unfamiliar with, it's best to wear gloves just in case. You never know if a plant's leaves, flowers or sap are poisonous. Wear gardening gloves to protect yourself from rashes or allergic reactions.

Prickly Plants And Sharp Edges

Gardening often involves dealing with sharp tools to dig holes, transplant young plants and cut difficult root systems. In addition, gardeners often come into contact with thorny plants. Using gloves will keep all those thorny plants and the edges of your spade at bay. 

Pesticides & Pest Control

If you use any pesticides in your garden, make sure you pick up your gloves before spraying. Pesticides can contain chemicals that can irritate your skin and even cause severe allergic reactions. Even natural and organic pest control methods are best avoided with skin contact. Therefore, have a pair of gardening gloves ready before doing pest control.

Conclusion

After understanding the various roles of gardening gloves, we believe you understand the importance of gardening gloves for gardeners. There are many more factors to consider before choosing a good pair of gloves, such as the type of work, the purpose, the material and the benefits offered.

The ideal gloves should be strong and flexible enough and should provide protection against all hazards and thorns, chemicals, etc. They should have a good grip and can pick small objects and slippery branches with impunity. They should also have closed wrists and provide closure to prevent rocks, dirt and debris from entering the gloves while you work.

In addition, garden gloves will not only protect you from possible injuries, they will also add dexterity to make your job easier, faster, safer and more worry-free.

How To Water Your Herb Garden

Growing different herbs is not only good for the planet; it's also a fun and easy way to try your hand at gardening. Herbs are very low maintenance, so if you are a beginner, these are the best plants to get a taste of gardening.

Although easy to grow, herbs do have specific watering needs. To keep your herbs thriving, here are some watering tips to remember.

Watering Tips for Herbs

1. Don't water like a potted plant at home

Different plants have different watering needs. One thing to remember when growing herbs is to never think of them as houseplants. Although they have many similarities, herbs have their own sensitivities as far as watering is concerned. They hate standing water or wet soil. To make sure you water your herbs properly, only water when the soil is dry. Especially for herbs that are seeds or seedlings, watering must be strictly controlled to ensure they do not drown.

When it comes to watering tools, watering cans are a good choice. Or hand sprayers, they can keep the soil of herbs moist without overwatering.

2. Water herbs that like moisture more often

There are also herbs that like moisture, and they need lots and lots of water. If they are in garden soil, they need half a liter of water per square foot of soil per week. If in pots, water herbs once or twice a day, especially during the summer months. Always check for excess water in the soil before watering herbs.

3. Watering needs for indoor herbs

If grown indoors, most herbs must be watered every two to three days. This can be determined by the moisture content of the soil. Feel the surface of the soil with your hand and if it feels dry, then the herb needs to be watered. If the weather is hot or dry, you may need to water more frequently.

4. Watering in the early morning

Morning is the best time to water any plant grown outside, not just herbs. More precisely, it's around 6 to 6:30 a.m., when the sun is just rising. Don't wait until the sun is at its fullest, as the roots need to absorb as much water as possible before it evaporates from the heat.

5. Water around herbs, not all the way through

How you water your plants is as important as how often you water them. Always water around herbaceous plants, not on the leaves. If the leaves are always in contact with water, it increases the risk of mold growth. Leaves can also rot and can kill herbs.

6. Avoid waterlogged pots

Some pots have a built-in saucer or bucket that catches the water and keeps the plant roots hydrated for hours. But most herbs hate standing water and their roots should not be soaked for more than 15 minutes. So try to avoid using such pots or discard the water that accumulates in the saucer to reduce the risk of root rot and disease.

7. Mulching

Mulch is usually used to retain soil moisture, which also reduces the need for watering. If planted in the ground, you can use mulch to make your herb garden look good. However, not all mulching materials are safe for herbs. Natural ground cover materials are best for herbs, such as wood chips, cocoa bean shells or pine needles. Keep the mulch layer away from the canopy of your herbs so you don't end up smothering the plants.