20 Essential And Must Have Gardening Tools

The right gardening needs different essential garden tools that will help in producing the best work. When you are a beginner, it is difficult knowing how to start.

You should know what you would like to grow and the place to grow it. After that, you have to work out how to realize it.

Even the most professional gardeners should have the correct tools. Unluckily, gardening is not as easy as planting seeds and allowing them nature to take its course. You should put effort, and you require garden tools to help get the job done.

Best gardening tools to buy

Armed with essential garden tools, you can start your new garden without spending too much.

Your preferred tools depend to some degree on your garden’s type and size and your preferred plant type. But the list of tools mentioned here will help you have a stunning garden.

1. Hand rake

If the area you’re working on is small and does not want to ruin existing plants or your beautiful lawn, you most likely will not want to break out the big rake for a small task. For this, a hand rake will be the best option. You can get hand rakes in multiple types just like the bigger types and use them for the same work, only on a smaller scope.

For clearing up or gathering debris, there exist light-duty models with flexible tines. However, you will also find hardwearing steel models for light tilling and stiff tine to break up the soil.

2. Bow rake

This is an essential tool for people who have a backyard. One of the most popularly used gardening tools is leaf rakes since they serve different purposes. For other backyard tasks, you can use a bow rake for grass clipping or gather leaves on the lawn.

This saves you the money to purchase a backyard rake. Additionally, they are good for scattering mulch. When handling larger areas, a bow rake is the best tool.

You can use it to break up and turn the soil, clearing leaves, or even spreading compost or soil. When starting, you might be able to get away with using this gardening tool for lots of work that often need a spading fork.

3. Leaf rake

Anyone spending lots of time in their garden prefers raking up all the leaves, together with any other debris buildup over the cold months. A leaf rake that has a big fan like the blade is the best tool for this work.

Its bristles are usually created with plastic or soft, flexible metal material. This lets you lightly rake the entire surface of all debris, but will still leave the soil intact.

4. Digging fork

If you want to dig into very compacted or rocky soil, the best option is using a digging fork. This tool will also lessen the tension on your body and minimize the strenuous task, but it will also loosen up the soil with ease.

It has four thick and flat tines, which makes it the best gardening tool for breaking down solidly packed dirt that a spade or hoe cannot get through.

5. Knee pads

If you don’t like using a stool, but still want to protect your knees, you might want to think about the best pair of knee pads. It can be very uncomfortable to kneel to dig. If you simply cannot bear the pain in the knees anymore, it is certainly time to get a pair of knee pads.

These items work with the knees’ natural hinge action. They also come with Velcro straps for ensuring they remain intact and do not slip down when you’re using them.

6. Watering can

There are two kinds of these tools, metal, and plastic. You’ll find several nozzles, colors, styles, and size options. Plastic models will be lighter than metal ones, but will not last for long. The best watering can need to easy to use, hold, and carry.

Most cans have a brass rose that will fit over the spout’s end and turn the water flow easier on small plants and seedlings.

You might require two: a smaller, long-necked model for houseplants and a bigger model with a sprinkler head for outside use.
The position of the handle should let you carry a full can and tip it to pour easily as well.
Think about the can’s size in relation to your strength.
Two-handled models let better stability for senior and kids’ gardeners.
Metal cans have to be galvanized t resist oxidation.

7. Digging shovel

You will find how beneficial a digging shovel will be if you are gardening a raised bed or in your backyard. It will help make shifting, digging and lifting gravel, coal, soil, and snow much simpler.

This kind of tool is also the best friend when you want to transfer dirt from a wheelbarrow and not dump the entire load. What’s more, a digging shovel is ideal for potting soil and mixing or stirring compost piles.

8. Lawn mower

It might look obvious; however, no garden will look great if you do not take care of your lawn. That is why every shed in the garden should have a lawn mower in it. A gas mower is a favorite of most people. Others like electric and others still like the manual push types.

Your garden’s size is usually the determining factor. If you own a large garden, you will be happy with the freedom a gas model offers. Additionally, if you have a limited patch to care for, an electric model might suit your needs.

9. Weed puller

Days are gone of having to spend hours on your knees and hands to get rid of all the irritating weeds from the garden. While most tools you have will help in weeding the garden, few tools get the job done than the type made specifically for removing weeds.

A weed puller is available in a variety of different designs. Some of these tools come with a leverage bar to help you pull the weeds out at an angle. Ideally, you should remove the weed from the soil, including the roots.

10. Hoe

Your kind of garden can determine what kind of hoe will suit your needs. Vegetable gardens might need a wide, sturdy hoe. If you have a perennial garden, you might need a thinner how.

A hoe is beneficial in removing weeds and preparing the flower beds and gardens.

Flat types are great for turning the soil in rows in veggie gardens.
Sharp blades are user-friendly and work better.
Consider a comfy handle with a long reach.

11. Secateurs

Also referred to as clippers, pruners, or pruning shears, a secateur is an extremely beneficial hand tool around your garden. You’ll want it to trim and shape shrubs and plants and for getting rid of dead growth.

The best quality model can be comfier to use, remain sharp for a long time, last for years, and deal with thicker branches, last for years

12. Wheelbarrow

This equipment is perfect if you have a big yard for cultivating, helping you in lots of work. You can use a wheelbarrow for moving stacks of leaves, compost, and even dirt effortlessly across your home.

A wheelbarrow, whether created with hard plastic or galvanized steel, is the best tool to use if you want to transport new seedlings to the flowerbeds.

13. Soil knife

This is another versatile garden tool, but unusually not one that your average gardener has in the toolbox. These tools are perfect for all types of work that will involve cutting and digging. But the saw-like blade is often razor-sharp on both ends at the point. For this reason, you should keep it out of reach of small kids.

Is this the first time you’ve had this tool?

Then you might want to stop by your local hardware store and get one. You will never regret having chosen this tool.

14. Garden hose

Why do you need to have complete planting tools if you do not have the means of making the plants and the whole garden healthy and alive?

Watering the plants and the whole garden is important. For some city gardeners, watering will work perfectly. However, if you have a backyard, it will be best to use a garden hose to water the plants.

If you’re concerned about water wastage between the garden beds, you can consider using a spray or make a self-watering planter. This way, you can control the water pressure.

15. Loppers and pruners

Also called secateurs, these are usually made especially for gardeners who are right or left-handed. It is the best idea to purchase top quality secateurs with ergonomic styling and carbon-steel blades.

It can be exhausting work to prune, and you want razor-sharp blades for making clean cuts. A hand pruner is only helpful for limbs with a diameter of up to roughly 1/4 inch.

For bigger branches, you require loppers that are hard-wearing pruners made to cut branches up to a diameter of one inch. These tools feature ratchet mechanisms and long handles to help cut cleanly through branches without straining the gardener.

Review of best pruning shears here

16. Saw

Trees and shrubs will require pruning and shaping regularly, not to mention the woody weeds such as briars you should deal with. Bow saws can do most of the bulkier cutting garden work; when a secateur simply will not get the job done.

17. Digging spade

Some gardeners might think that having this tool is already enough to drill, unaware that a garden spade will be very useful in the garden bed as well.

Thanks to its design, this gardening tool is perfect for digging holes for bushes and plants and in limited spaces. Similar to the shovel, this spade is also good for digging and transporting dirt in the backyard.

18. Watering wand

You can use a water-breaking wand to provide your plants with a gentle shower. Additionally, its extended reach will help to get out of the way back edges of borders, hanging plants, or planter containers.

This tool is available in a range of lengths, from 10 – 48 inches.

The handle features built-in shut off valves to help conserve water and let you adjust the flow.
Select the right length to suit you; shorter for limited spaces, longer for high hanging baskets.

19. Garden hand trowel

This is one tool you should not forget to add to your arsenal. A hand trowel is a must-have tool, particularly for city and beginner gardeners.

Perfect for planting seedling and transferring dirt into your grow bags or pots, this tool can be more accessible if you use it for transporting plants from the vegetable garden or digging soil. A garden trowel is available in all types of sizes and shapes.

These tools are generally created with a combination of wood or plastic handles with stainless steel.

Stainless steel trowels, or at least those with a head made of stainless steel, are more hard-wearing and will last for long.
The handle needs to fit comfortably in the hands.
Choose a long narrow blade for rocky soil or for digging up weeds or wide blade to move more soil.

20. Gardening gloves

You need to have several kinds of gloves. To start with, look for rubber-coated, lightweight, elasticized kinds that help handle wet soil.

They should let you do good work, such as thinning or transplanting. In addition, choose top quality hard-wearing landscape gloves that will help protect your hands while you do shoveling, moving mulch, pruning, and other challenging tasks. Ensure that you choose good fitting gloves.

The reason being, very small gloves are not comfortable, while the huge ones make it hard to dandle plants or tools.

You should store gloves safe from insects, away from water and out of sun rays.
Fabrics that are resistant to water and breathable can help keep your hands cool and comfortable.
Fit is essential, since badly fitting gloves may lead to accidents from slip off or cause blisters.
Longer cuffs will help in protecting forearms and wrists from scratches and prevent soil from entering.
They need to be durable but not very heavy, particularly for transplanting seedlings or working with seeds.

Why get quality garden tools

These tools are enough to start on your gardening adventure. While you’re finding new needs, you can add on to your assortment of gardening and backyard tools.

When you are looking for tools, you should get well built, stainless steel ones. Additionally, you might have to pay a bit more money; however, it is an investment for the future. Great tools can last for years.