10 Top Garden Tools Every Gardener Needs

Every gardener is passionate about one or two tools that help him in most gardening tasks. However, there are many more tools s/he needs for specific jobs around the garden. Whether you’re a first-time gardener or a seasoned one looking to create something full of colorful flowers, you could build up your 10 most desired garden tools as you pursue your favorite passion. Here they are for you:

1. Garden trowel: You’ll need a garden trowel to enable you to dig small holes in the ground. Ensure that the one you choose has a handle that fits your hand perfectly and a tightly fitted blade. For durability, choose a garden trowel that’s been made out of one piece of steel or cast aluminium and has a strong handle that can withstand the pressure you apply on it for best leverage.

2. Digging fork: Also known as a garden or spade fork, the digging fork helps you turn the soil in new or existing beds, and breaks up clumps of soil and sieves out larger stones. You can also turn compost while it’s forming and have it ready for use. For raised beds, it helps loosen and expose the soil to air before you begin planting. With a D-handle, this tool is easy to use, no matter how tight the space you work in.

3. Shears, scissors or secateurs: It’s essential to have a sharp set of garden shears which will make trimming easier, as this is a regular activity for all gardeners. Not only will trimming your plants and shrubs make them bushier but you can also shape and size them to your desire. If you need to trim the grass around trees and shrubs, or along pathways, you need a good pair of shears. If you need to cut larger branches, often more than half-inch diameter, use a garden lopper or a hand saw.

4. Heavy duty hoe: This garden hoe is ideal for breaking ground, which it does much better than a shovel or a spade. Just like the fork hoe, the blade is set at right angles to the handle, which lets the lever act in a way that minimizes any effort from you.

5. Shovels and spades: When you need to dig trenches, move boulders or remove stumps, a garden shovel comes in handy. In fact, you can get shovels in a variety of shapes and sizes. The hand-held version can be either T- or D-shaped and are ideal for planting shrubs and trees, moving soil and breaking it. The round-point shovel is perfect for creating larger planting holes and moving dirt from one place to another.
    
   On the other hand, spades turn soil very well. Not only do they turn soil, but they also transport small soil mounds. Choose one whose height and weight suit your body type. For work in raised bed gardens, choose one with a small handle, something like a miniature shovel.

6. Good quality soil: To have a healthy and blooming garden, you need to begin with good quality garden soil. If you’re into container gardening, go for a premium mix that drains well. Besides, good soil processes water better and keeps your plants healthy and thriving. So, consider this a wise investment.

7. Rake: With the help of a garden rake, you can free the soil of stones, clogs and rocks before you begin planting. It can also help with smoothing and levelling the soil surface or gathering and removing dead leaves and weeds. You may want to keep two types of rakes in your gardening kit–one, a lightweight and fan-shaped one that gathers as many dead leaves as possible in one stroke; and two, a heavy duty bow rake that will help you remove large stones from the soil.

8. Hori-hori: Also called Japanese gardener’s knife, the hori hori can be used to dig the soil, plant bulbs and help with weeding. It also cuts roots and divides small perennials.

9. Watering can, hoses and nozzles: You need to water all your plants, only then will they thrive. So, water is an essential ingredient for your budding garden. Be aware of your plants’ needs and irrigate them appropriately. The watering tools you need to invest in comprise of a watering can with a long spout for small plants and a garden hose with a good spray and nozzle for intense watering. The hose and nozzle should be of high quality and the latter should be adjustable and have an ergonomic grip.

10. Gardening accessories: Apart from the above, there are certain accessories that would also help to make your gardening experiences more fruitful and enjoyable.

• Gardening gloves: For instance, if you wear gardening gloves, you wouldn’t hesitate to get your hands into the soil and do all that you need to. Besides, you might get blisters on your hands when dealing with pesticides or fertilizers or just thorny bushes. Choose from rubber, disposable, cotton, leather and Spandex. Each has its own virtues, so think well before buying but remember to buy more than one pair as you might need a quick change.
• Wheelbarrow: A wheelbarrow is a practical asset on your garden because you will have a lot of carrying and ferrying around as you dig and get your garden ready. You can transport both light and heavy materials in this and save up your energy for other garden jobs. Get yourself one that’s strong but light enough to move around easily.
• Summer Hat: To keep yourself away from the sun’s harsh rays, wear a hat. I prefer my boonie hat but my wife loves her bamboo hat.
• Kneeling pad: When you’re bending over or kneeling to do some heavy duty digging, use a gardening kneeling pad. The older I get, the more I swear by these!
• Sunscreen: Wear sunscreen with SPF30 before getting out into the sun and gardening, no matter how early in the morning you may start.