Guide To Gardening Tools What Tools Do You Need The Old Farmer's Almanac
Guide To Gardening Tools What Tools Do You Need The Old Farmer's Almanac
Guide To Gardening Tools What Tools Do You Need The Old Farmer's Almanac
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What tools do you need for vegetable gardening? Even though we are longtime
gardeners, we have a modest selection of tools. Here are what we consider to be the
best basic gardening tools for beginners—and tips for taking care of them!
When starting a garden for the first time (or the second or third time), the right tools
will make a big difference. A sharp tool will make gardening easier and save you time.
Don’t get caught up in all the newfangled gardening tools that you’ll see. Focus on
Note: We have included affiliate links to products as examples. We may receive a small
commission if you make a purchase through these links. However, we do not endorse any
of the specific products or brands below; they’re just there so you can see what the tools
look like!
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Here are our top 10 indispensable garden tools. Plus, we included some “extras” below
for those interested. Did we forget any essential tools that you find especially useful in
1. Hand Trowel
A trowel is a small hand tool used for digging at ground level and digging small holes
for planting seeds, measuring depths in the soil, and digging up tough weeds. Look for
a trowel with a narrow, sturdy blade (stainless steel is a good option) that will cut into
the soil easily, as well as one that has a comfortable grip. It’s a gardener’s best friend.
Another hand tool is called the “fork” or “cultivator.” It’s useful for scratching the soil to
remove small weeds and rough up the soil, both in the garden and in a container. Do
not scrimp on this tool! A cheap fork may snap on their first outing. You need a really
strong handle and shaft, and solid union where the shaft and head join.
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You can often a hand trowel and hand cultivator available in a set (sometimes with a
A long-handled spade with a straight-edged, flat blade is good for digging straight-
sided holes, cutting roots, removing plants and weeds, and making edgings. There are
also long-handled garden shovels with pointed, rounded blades; they are useful for
Both make gardening easier on the old back. The longer the handle, the more leverage
you will have. Look for forged metal. Here’s a good example of a long-handled digging
shovel.
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4. Garden Rake
A garden rake or ground rake has metal tines and is used for smoothing out the
compost or for raking the soil level to create a beautifully crumbly seedbed.
If we had to pick our most essential tool, it would be the garden pruner. A hand pruner
is extremely versatile to cut or trim small branches from perennial plants, shrubs, and
trees. Choose a bypass-style pruner, meaning the top blade slices past the bottom
blade, resulting in very quick, tear-free cuts so plants can heal quickly. (With anvil
pruners, the other common variety, the top blade chomps down onto the bottom
blade. This can damage the stem or branch that you’re cutting.) Hand pruners can also
be useful for harvesting ripe vegetables without damaging the plant. Look for razor-
6. Wheelbarrow
You can’t beat a trusty wheelbarrow! It’s great for weeding, hauling soil or leaves,
collecting debris, and countless other tasks. The sturdiest wheelbarrows are made of
one piece of heavy steel for heavy loads, but heavy-duty plastic wheelbarrows are a
better choice for home gardeners. A wheelbarrow is easier to maneuver than a two-
wheel yard cart but less stable. Using a wheelbarrow or yard cart can also help to
preserve your back, which is always at risk of strain from constantly bending to plant
7. Watering Can
Able to evenly water plants anywhere, a watering can is best suited for small watering
jobs. It should have a capacity of a least 2 gallons but be easy to carry when full. Select
a plastic or metal model with a removable spout. It’s also often beneficial to keep a
smaller watering can around, too—especially when it comes to watering around small
container plants.
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8. Garden Fork
useful for turning over soil and compost, digging out root crops, and dividing
perennials. Its long, metal tines allow it to easily penetrate the soil and avoid the
9. Garden Hoe
furrows for planting seeds and to break up clumps of soil. Hoe heads come in many
different shapes and sizes. Make sure that the metal head is securely attached to the
Credit: Gardeners.com
Rakes are purpose-built: The leaf rake is lightweight and used for raking up leaves and
lawn clippings and for spreading mulch. Metal rakes will last longer and perform better
than plastic or wooden ones. Buy a rake that is securely attached to the handle; none
You might not consider gloves essential, but a good pair of gloves can help to prevent
blisters and cuts and will keep your hands clean. Of course, there is certainly
something to be said about feeling the dirt between your fingers! For digging, look for
gloves that have waterproofing along the palm and fingers. Many gardeners like nitrile
gloves like these. Consider longer gloves if you need more protection.
Garden Scissors
Garden scissors or trimming scissors have very thin, super-sharp blades that are used
for deadheading (the removal of dead flowers), snipping herbs and flower stems, and
pruning delicate plants. It’s not meant to replace a hand pruner but to complement it.
Commonly used in Asia, Hori-hori knives (hori meaning “to dig” in Japanese) are a mix
between a knife and a trowel, which makes them great for digging small planting holes,
harvesting, and cutting down weeds. Some types feature a serrated edge to make
cutting even easier, while others feature a ruler printed onto the blade, which helps
Credit: Gardeners.com
Garden Hose
A garden hose helps carries water long distances. Attach two or more together to
reach farther. A cheap hose can be very frustrating; we advise getting a quality rubber
hose and looking for nickel-plated, heavy-duty brass couplings at both ends of the
hose. Arable nozzles or sprayer heads adjust to deliver everything from a gentle
sprinkle to a hard stream. Brass and metal parts and fittings are more durable than
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