Page 37 - Waterfall Issue 10 2021
P. 37

Soil preparation is extremely important and using the correct
        tools makes this task easy and effortless. The GARDENA
        combisystem range of tools offers a solution to all types
        of activities involved in preparing the soil – from tilling
        the soil, removing weeds, and raking, to cultivating. The
        combisystem works on the principle of one handle that is
        interchangeable with a wide range of different tool heads.

        The GARDENA combisystem Garden Hoe offers two
        functions in one: the hoe is used to loosen the soil
        and weeds without stepping on the vegetable patch,
        and the rake is used to remove the weeds.

        2. Composting at home
        In addition to care and water, plants need to be provided
        with nutrients before they can bear fruit or show off their
        colours. Experienced gardeners can make their own
        compost instead of relying on pre-processed commercial
        fertilisers. Home-made compost is cheap, good for     when composting. The padded palms provide extra grip during
        improving the soil, and can be made in a compost bin.  the construction of the heap, when cutting up branches and
                                                              when turning the soil, as well as helping to absorb the impact
        The compost bin should be positioned in a sheltered and   when using garden tools. To ensure a secure grip on the tools,
        partially shaded area in order to ensure that its contents   the palms of the gloves are coated with silicone. Gardena
        don’t dry out or get washed away by the rain. When setting   garden gloves are also certified to OEkO-TEx standards. The
        up the bin, it’s important to make sure that insects and   new range of gloves has an added feature of Mobile Touch
        worms can access it. They help transform kitchen and garden   function on the thumb and index finger – so there’s no need
        waste into valuable plant food. using a mouse-proof mesh   to remove your gloves to handle your mobile phone.
        prevents rats and larger vermin from getting into the bin.
                                                              4. Lawn care
        3. making the perfect fertiliser – layer by layer     Preparing the lawn in spring will ensure that the greenery
        There are a few things to consider when starting a compost   lasts well into summer and will foster a healthy lawn.
        heap. The bottom layer should be composed of cut-up
        branches and leaves, allowing air and crucial animal helpers   Raking is the first thing you need to do when
        to enter. This is followed by a layer of garden soil, which   getting your lawn ready for new growth.
        provides the compost with microorganisms. Only then is
        it time to add the kitchen waste: eggshells, fruit peels, tea   If your grass has a layer of dead turfgrass tissue lying
        leaves and coffee grounds, as well as small amounts of   between the green vegetation of the grass above and the
        paper – these make delicious snacks for the animal compost   root system and soil below, that could be bad for the health
        workers. Round off their meal with lightly dried grass   of your lawn, in which case deep raking is required.
        clippings and mulched leaves. Garden centres sell compost
        accelerators (also called compost starters or activators) and
        rock dust to give the compost a loose consistency. These
        aid in decomposition and prevent waterlogging and bad
        smells, in addition to promoting a fine, crumbly texture.

        A few weeks after the compost heap has been constructed,
        when it has reduced by about a third, it can be sifted
        or turned. Both these tasks serve to aerate and mix
        the compost. With the ergonomic GARDENA Ergoline
        range of large tools, the D-handle on the tools allows
        soil to be worked easily and effectively. The perfect
        tool for turning the compost is the Ergoline Fork. The
        compost will be ready for use as a fertiliser after an
        estimated time period of 8 months.

        Specially designed tool gloves offer a reliable helping hand


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