What are the tools you’ll need to garden? Although many of us at the Almanac have been gardeners for years the small number of tools might be a surprise to you. These are what we consider to be the top 10 essential tools, along with tips on taking good care of the tools!
If you’re starting a new garden (or the third or second time) having the right tools can make a significant difference. Sharp tools will help you garden more efficiently and will save you time. Do not get distracted by all the latest gardening tools that you’ll find. Choose simple, reliable durable tools that can last for the rest of your life.
10 Indispensable Garden Tools
These are the best 10 gardening tools. In addition, we have included some “extras” below for those who are interested.
1. Hand Trowel
Trowels are a compact hand tool for digging at the level of the ground and making tiny holes to plant seeds, determining the depths of the soil, as well as cutting tough weeds. Choose a trowel that has an incredibly narrow and sturdy blade (stainless steel is a suitable choice) that can cut the soil quickly and with an ergonomic grip. It’s the best tool for gardeners.
2. Hand Fork as well as Cultivator
A different hand tool is”the “fork” also known as the “cultivator.” It is useful for scrubbing the soil to get rid of small weeds as well as scratching the soil whether in the garden or in containers. Don’t skimp with this device! A fork that is cheap could break in the first time they use it. You’ll need a very sturdy shaft and handle, and a strong unions between the head and shaft connect.
There are often use a hand trowel or hand cultivator that are available as the form of a set (sometimes together with a pruner) because they’re indispensable gardening tools.
3. Long-Handled Shovels, as well as Spades
A long-handled spade equipped with straight-edged blade is great to dig straight-sided hole for cutting roots, clearing vegetation and weeds, as well as creating edge-cutting. Also, there are long-handled garden shovels that have a pointed blades that are rounded; they are great to dig holes, and also for moving soil.
Both help with gardening using the back of your old one. The more long the handle, the more leverage you’ll be able to use. Find forged metal.
4. Garden Rake
A garden rake, also known as a ground rake comes with metal tines and is used to smooth out compost, or to rake the soil to make an attractively crumbly seedbed.
Find the best garden rakes over at Sweet New Earth.
5. Hand Pruners, or Pruning Shears
If you had to choose the most crucial tool for us this is the garden pruner. Hand pruners are extremely versatile in cutting or trimming tiny branches of perennial plants, shrubs and trees. Select a bypass-style pruning tool which means that the top blade cuts through the lower blade, resulting in fast, non-tear cuts that heal plants quickly. (With anvil pruners which are the most common type, the top blade is chomping down on the lower blade. This can cause damage to the branch or stem you are cutting.) Hand pruners are also helpful in harvesting ripe veggies without causing damage to the plant. Make sure to choose blades with razor sharp edges and an ergonomic grip.
6. Wheelbarrow
There’s no better way to get a trusted wheelbarrow! It’s ideal to weed, move leaves or soil, collecting debris, and for a myriad of other jobs. The strongest wheelbarrows are made from a single piece of steel to handle heavy loads, but plastic heavy-duty wheelbarrows are the best choice for gardeners who live at home. Wheelbarrows are easier to move than a two-wheel yard cart, but is less solid. A wheelbarrow, or yard cart may aid in preserving your spine, as it is constantly susceptible to strain from continually bending down to plant or take care of your garden.
7. Watering Can
In a position to distribute water evenly anyplace, a watering bottle is ideal for smaller watering tasks. It should be able to hold a volume of at minimum of 2 gallons, but simple to carry once it is it is full. Pick a metal or plastic model with a spout that can be removed. It is also beneficial to have a smaller watering container around too, particularly in the case of watering small containers.
8. Garden Fork
Another digging tool. The garden fork (similar as pitch forks) can be useful in making compost and soil as well as digging out root crops and even divides perennials. Its long, steel tines allow it to easily go through the soil, and stay clear of smaller rocks that could hinder shovels.
9. Garden Hoe
A hoe is a tool used to get rid of the weeds with a shallow root easily. It can also be employed to make furrows for planting seeds as well as to break up soil clumps. Hoe heads come in different sizes and shapes. Make sure that the head is secured with the handle. A wood handle with a smooth surface is more resistant to splintering.
10. Leaf Rakes
Rakes are specifically designed for use to be used for leaf rakes. light in weight and can be used to rake up lawn clippings and leaves and spreading mulch. Metal rakes are more durable and are more efficient than wooden or plastic ones. Choose a rake securely connected to the handle and no part should move!
More Gardening Tools and Tools
Gardening Gloves
Although you may not consider gloves necessary, but a quality pair of gloves can be helpful in preventing cuts and blisters and help keep your hands free of germs. Of course, there’s definitely something about the feeling of dirt on your fingers! If you want to dig, choose gloves with waterproofing on the fingers and palms. Gardeners often use the nitrile gloves that are available. Consider longer gloves if you need more protection.
Garden Scissors
Garden scissors, also known as trimming scissors have extremely small, super-sharp blades. They can be used to deadhead (the elimination of flowers that are dead) cutting herbs, stems of flowers, and for cutting delicate plants. They are not intended to replace hand pruners however, it is meant to enhance it. Look for ergonomically-designed handles.
Hori-Hori Gardening Knife
The hori-hori garden knife is a relatively new introduction to Western gardens. Most often utilized in Asia Hori-hori knives (hori which means “to digging” meaning “to dig” in Japanese) have a mixture of a trowel and a knife and trowel, making it perfect for digging tiny holes in the ground or harvesting and cutting down the weeds. Some models feature serrated edges for cutting to make it more effortless, while some have a ruler that is printed on the blade, which aids in measuring the depth of planting.
Garden Hose
A garden hose helps carries water long distances. Join two or more to make it easier to reach further. A cheap hose could be extremely frustrating. We suggest purchasing a good rubber hose. Also, look for heavy-duty, nickel-plated brass couplings on both sides of the pipe. Arable sprayer heads and nozzles adapt to deliver anything from a soft sprinkle to a hefty stream. Metal and brass parts and fittings last longer than plastic.
Soaker Hose
The best type of garden hose soaker hoses are porous, low-pressure hoses that provide drops of water to gardens. They are intended to be set out in the vicinity of the crops (and even in landscape plants as well as lawns). When water is switched on, they let liquid water into their porous materials and then water the garden slowly steady, consistently, and continuously. This is essential for healthy plants and dramatically reduces the amount of water wasted. There are as well drip irrigation for raised beds. kits.
Watering Wands
If you’re one who has plants in flower pots and hanging baskets on the ceiling, watering tools feature lengthy shafts, which enable you to reach for the water. In contrast to a typical water hose one can use a watering wand to deliver a gentle, soaking shower. It is also useful to water plants that are spaced closely in your garden without walking onto the soil.
Padded Kneelers
Knee pads in the garden can help to ease the strain to your knees. It is much easier to kneel your back than sitting down. If both are painful, take a stool into in the backyard to rest on or rest on the floor.
Soil Monitor
An extremely useful and affordable “extra” could be to buy a tiny soil gauge that you can stick in the soil to measure sunlight, water, and pH values. It will let you know the time for watering, if your plant gets enough sunlight and also if the soil is alkaline or acidic.
How to sharpen and maintain Your Tools
It is important to make sure you take proper care of your tools so they last! It’s crucial to keep your blades in tip-top shape to help you garden more easily.