The most indispensable harvesting tool you will need is a garden cart. The garden cart is used for a number of gardening tasks, including hauling your freshly picked fruits and vegetables. When choosing a garden cart there are a few factors to keep in mind:
- Whether you prefer a push or pull cart, make sure to try it out before buying. The cart should be easy to manoeuvre and light enough for you to haul.
- The cart should be sturdy and well-made.
- Make sure the cart you select will fit through gates and doorways.
- If you plan to store the cart outside, it should be made of metal or plastic. If it is made with wood and metal, it must be stored indoors.
- If you will be using the cart on fairly flat ground, pneumatic tires are the best, but if you will be using in areas such as the woods, solid, flat-free tires will work better.
Digging Tools
If you need to dig to get to the harvest, you will need a trowel with a carbon-steel head and a comfortable handle. Trowels can be used to dig out items, such as bulbs, roots, potatoes or carrots.
Digging Fork
If you have a large garden plot full of potatoes, a trowel will work, but it will take longer. A digging fork is similar to a pitchfork, except it has tines specifically made to lift potatoes.
Fruit Picker
Picking the fruit from the tree instead of the ground is the safest way to prevent damage to the fruit. In order to get the fruit out of the tree you will need a fruit-picker, which has “fingers” made with bent wire so you can securely grab the fruit. An orchard ladder is also handy if you have several fruit trees.
Remember to thoroughly clean all of your gardening tools at the end of the season so they will be ready for next season.