Here is a list of most important gardening tools that will help you to keep your garden in good shape. Some of these are basic, but essential. Others are more specialized, but they are also super helpful when you need them. They are not the only tools that are safe for using, but they are definitely the most important ones to make your work easier.
To get started with the gardening business, we recommend that you start out with the tools listed below.
Fork
One of the most hardworking tools in any gardener’s arsenal, a garden fork is a multi-purpose piece of equipment. It can be used to aerate lawns (see our guide on Lawn Care & Maintenance Tips), break up compacted soil, create holes for seeds, mix in soil treatment, remove stones and weeds, and soften tough ground. Its sharp and strong tines can more easily penetrate difficult terrain than a spade.
Shovel
A shovel is a prerequisite for most jobs around the garden, particularly those that include digging and the removal or addition of loose gardening materials such as compost, fertiliser, mulch, soil, etc. Whether you’re scooping away weeds or you’re spreading on mulch, digging a deep hole or filling a bed with compost, a high quality shovel will be of great value to you.
Rake
A rake will allow you to remove stones, rocks and clogs from the ground before planting. It is also used for levelling and smoothing the surface of the soil, or for gathering debris such as leaves and weeds. You may find you want to add a few varieties of rakes to your collection to suit different needs most comfortably, for example a lightweight, fan-shaped rake is ideal for covering large areas when sweeping up leaves, and a heavier duty bow rake will be most suited to dealing with stony ground.
Saw
Shrubs and trees will need shaping and pruning from time to time, not to mention those woody weeds like briars that will need to be tackled too. A bow saw will see you through most of the heavier cutting tasks in the garden; when a secateurs just won’t cut it!
Hand Trowel
A hand trowel is a small tool that is essential for planting, transplanting and potting. Look for one with a sturdy connection between blade and handle, and a comfortable grip on the handle to avoid hand fatigue and give you optimal control.
Secateurs
Also known as a pruning shears, pruners or clippers, a garden secateurs is a very useful hand tool around the garden. You will need it for trimming and shaping plants and shrubs and for removing dead growth. A high quality secateurs will last a very long time, stay sharper for longer, be able to take thicker branches, and be more comfortable to use, so it is worth investing in a good one.
Hoe
A garden hoe is essential for cultivating your soil, edging your lawn, and countless other gardening tasks. This versatile garden tool comes in several varieties but a regular Dutch or Draw hoe will meet most gardeners’ needs. You will find it highly useful when preparing beds for planting and weeding.
Gardening Gloves
Thorns and splinters are as annoying and uncomfortable as they are preventable with a good pair of gardening gloves. Gardening tasks can wreak havoc on your hands, leaving them sore and irritated. Thankfully there is a huge range of gloves available offering better protection and comfort than ever before.
Spade
A spade has a long handle and a long, narrow, flat head. No gardening tool kit is complete without one! You will need it for digging tasks, as well edging beds and lawns, transplanting, dividing shrubs, trenching, and lots more.
GlovesWhile gardening can be a wonderful hobby, it can quickly turn into a thorny and splintery hassle without the right pair of gloves.
Gloves should be durable but not too bulky, especially for working with seeds or transplanting seedlings.
Fit is important, as poorly fitting gloves can cause blisters or result in accidents from slipping off.
Fabrics that are water resistant, but also breathable, will help keep hands cool and comfortable.
Longer cuffs protect wrists and forearms from scratches and keep soil from getting in.
Store gloves out of sunlight, away from water and safe from insects.Botanical photographer, Ellen Hoverkamp recommends Foxgloves. They are made of high-tech sport fabric that is water resistant, breathable, and provide a form fit that has been described as a ‘second skin’. Buy Foxgloves on Amazon.
Pruning Shears
Hand pruners, also called secateurs, help reign in plants that are getting out of control and taking over. Anvil-style pruners cut with a sharp blade meeting a flat surface, similar to a knife on a board. Bypass pruners cut with a sharp blade passing by a sharp-edged flat surface, more like scissors.
Anvil pruners are best for dead wood and can cause crush injuries to fresh, green stems and branches.
Bypass pruners are better for live plants and green wood.
Pruners should fit easily in the palm of your hand.
Ratcheting pruners provide increased cutting strength, perfect for anyone with reduced hand strength or arthritis.
For cleaner cuts and less injury to plants, pruners should be sharpened regularly. (See Garden Tool Care & Maintenance for more)For an anvil-style pruning tool, Hovercamp recommends ratcheting pruners. The increased strength from the ratcheting action makes cutting through thicker or harder branches easier. Buy ratcheting anvil pruners on Amazon.
Loppers
Another cutting tool, loppers are basically long-handled pruners used to trim hard to reach areas and cut thicker branches. The long handles provide the leverage it takes to cut through branches up to an inch or more in diameter. There are anvil and bypass types, just like pruners. Handles generally range from 16 to 36 inches.
Bypass loppers are more precise in cut location than anvil style.
Longer handled loppers can be heavy. Know what you’ll be cutting and how far you’ll need to reach and get the appropriate length.
Lightweight aluminum or carbon-composite handles can be lighter.
Like pruners, keep lopper blades in good condition and sharpen regularly.For anvil-style loppers, our editors recommend the Tabor Tools GG12 Anvil Lopper. It can cut branches up to 2 inches in diameter and is perfect for dry or woody growth. The carbon steel blade stays sharp, making cutting easy. Buy the Tabor GG12 Anvil Loppers on Amazon.
Garden Fork
An efficient tool for turning soil, garden forks can dig into dense soil better than a spade.
Forks with a slight curve to the spines are useful for scooping mulch or turning compost piles, much like a pitchfork.
Straight tines are better for digging; great for compacted, rocky, or clay soil.
Square tines are stronger than flat tines which can bend when they hit a rock or root.Landscape designer Genevieve Schmidt recommends the Radius Garden 203 Pro Ergonomic Steel Digging Fork. The stainless steel, square tines resist rusting and the ergonomic handle has a non-slip grip. Buy the Pro Stainless Digging Fork on Amazon.
Hand trowel
Hand Trowel
The essential hand tool, trowels are wonderful for transplanting bedding plants and herbs, planting containers, and taking out weeds.
Select a broad blade to move more soil or a long, narrow blade to dig up weeds or for rocky soil.
The handle should fit comfortably in your hand.
Trowels forged from stainless steel, or at least with a stainless steel head, are more durable and will last longer.Schmidt also recommends the Garrett Wade Tulip Trowel. Its sharp blades cut through stubborn roots with ease, making it ideal for planting bulbs or planting around trees. Buy the Tulip Trowel on Amazon.
Conclusion
So, whether you are an experienced gardener or just get your hands dirty every so often, this article is for you to learn or refresh your memory on what tools are used for gardening. Gardening is a physical activity, so it helps to have the right gardening tools at hand. Tools can be purchased as a set or individually as they are needed.