Once again it is the season for eating, rejoicing and giving thanks for the many blessings received over the past year; with thanks being especially important with the giving of a thoughtful gift that is especially useful.

The old saying, “a bad workman always blames his tools” is not a true statement in that a bad workman will always be a bad workman, but a good tool or piece of equipment will last for many years if maintained. And so, the thought process of what to buy and why becomes an important factor in the spending exercise; is it needed, will it be used and is it functional are important factors in the decision making.

For the keen gardener whose shed is full of tools, consider the purchase of items for maintaining them such as grinding wheels or sharpening stones.

Replacement batteries, spare chains for chain saws or belts for mowers are always good to have to hand when a machine breaks down.

For the keen gardener who is building up an inventory of tools and equipment, purchasing a new mower that will fit the needs of the property would be a welcome gift. For the keen lawn man, a verticutter or aerator will reinvigorate the lawn in early spring. Small chain saws save time and energy and a handy tool to have especially after winter storms and hurricanes.

In tandem with a chain saw and for smaller pruning jobs, secateurs and loppers are worth their weight in gold. For the gardener who dabbles in propagating his own cuttings, a pruning and a budding knife makes ideal gifts.

In larger properties, a cart or wheelbarrow is a useful piece of equipment saving time and energy when moving materials, plants and general waste from the furthest point in the garden.

To assist in smaller tasks of cleaning up foliage or when weeding, the ground sheet is ideal for a quick clean up.

Going hand in hand with any equipment is a substantial pair of garden gloves, and for slat housework an apron with pockets is very useful.

I am not a great lover of the weedwhacker/strimmer simply because it is often used for jobs it is not meant for such as edging lawns and pruning all types of hedge and flowering plants.

Long-handled lawn shears are a preferred choice for edging lawns giving a straight line with a clean finish. Weedwhackers are better used in cutting back overgrown land and clearing areas which are to be refurbished into a garden and maintained as such.

Rakes can be best used for raking fallen foliage, lightly scarifying lawns and levelling soiled areas; the fan-shaped rakes are good for foliage collection, while the comb-type rakes are better used for heavier work.

• Malcolm D. Griffiths is a trained horticulturalist and fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture in Britain. He is also past president of the Bermuda Horticultural Society, the Bermuda Orchid Society and the Bermuda Botanical Society