Guide To Gardening Tools What Tools Do You Need The Old Farmer's Almanac

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 1

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Landers Super Crazy Sale Open

ORDER YOUR ALMANAC TODAY!

HOME GARDENING GARDENING HELP

The Best Gardening


Tools

Photo Credit: Pixabay

What gardening tools do you really


need? Here's our short list!
By Benjamin Kilbride Share
Facebook
Email
Last Updated: June 21, 2023

For daily wit & wisdom, sign up for the Almanac newsletter.

Enter your email address

SIGN UP

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

basic, quality, durable tools that will last a lifetime.

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!

Read Next

The Able Gardener

Pruning 101: A Guide to Pruning Trees and Shrubs

Spring Lawn Care: 5 Steps to Bring Your Lawn Back to Life

Top 10 Best Garden Tools

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

the garden? Please comment below!

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.

2. Hand Fork or Cultivator

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

You can often a hand trowel and hand cultivator available in a set (sometimes with a

pruner) since they’re such essential gardening tools.

3. Long-Handled Shovels and Spades

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

digging holes and moving soil.

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.

Book Now
Terms apply.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

5. Hand Pruners or Pruning Shears

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-

sharp blades and a comfortable grip.

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

and weed your garden.

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.

Book on the app

Book Now

ADVERTISEMENT

8. Garden Fork

This is another digging tool. A garden fork (similar in appearance to a pitchfork) is

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

smaller rocks that would get in the way of a shovel.

9. Garden Hoe

A hoe is used to remove shallow-rooted weeds effortlessly. It is also used to create

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

handle. A smooth wooden handle will resist splintering.

Credit: Gardeners.com

10. Leaf Rakes

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

of the parts should wiggle!

More Useful Gardening Tools and Supplies


Gardening Gloves

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.

Look for ergonomically-designed handles.

Hori-Hori Gardening Knife

The hori-hori gardening knife is a fairly recent addition to Western gardens.

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

when measuring planting depth.

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

plastic. Here’s a good example of a high-quality water hose.

Book Now
Terms apply.

ADVERTISEMENT

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site
usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Privacy Policy

Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies Reject All

You might also like