Have you ever been working in your garden and been interrupted? This has happened to me many times. I left my tools, thinking I would come back to finish the job but get sidetracked. Hours or days later, I start looking for the shovel, rake, or pruners and cannot find them. One way to alleviate the problem is as easy as purchasing a can of brightly colored spray paint.
One of my winter/early spring gardening chores is to spray all the handles of my gardening tools with bright red paint. You can choose any bright color, but red tends to stand out best for me. Bright colors, such as purple, orange, blue, or turquoise, will work too. If you are a Clemson fan, spray your handles a vivid combination of purple and orange.
Paint or purchase garden tools with bright colored handles. This makes them easier to find in the landscape.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2021 HGIC, Clemson University
When purchasing garden gloves or pruners, I select brightly colored ones and tend to avoid green as it blends into the landscape and cannot be easily found. I have a Catahoula leopard dog who loves to “steal” my gloves. I can quickly spot my bright turquoise gloves when she drops them somewhere in the yard.
Stella loves to “steal” my gardening gloves any chance she can.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2021 HGIC, Clemson University
Have fun adding a little color to your garden tools. The next time you leave your shovel in the garden or your dog steals your glove, you will be able to find it.
