Essential Gardening Equipment

The right gardening tools make your job easier and less stressful, saving you time and effort while increasing your garden’s beauty and bounty. However, not all tools are created equal. Many of them are designed to last only a season or two before they break down, but a well-made tool will serve you for years. The best ones are durable, comfortable and easy to use.

When it comes to gardening equipment, a trowel ranks high on the list of essential tools for most gardeners. Invest in a quality one, with a narrow and sturdy blade (stainless steel is ideal) that fits comfortably in your hand. Look for a nonslip grip, too.

A garden fork or spade is another must-have, for digging holes and loosening soil in gardens and flower beds. For weeding and cultivating beds, opt for a hand cultivator, which also helps to loosen compacted soil and root out tough weeds.

If you have shrubs and small trees to maintain, you’ll need a pair of pruners to trim branches and bushes that are too large for snipping with your regular scissors or shears. For trimming larger branches, a lightweight telescopic hedge shears is a great option, with a long handle that extends to allow you to reach higher-up branches easily.

To help prevent back pain and overexertion, try a garden kneeling pad or gardening stool, which provides you with a stable surface to work on while minimizing the need to bend over for extended periods. You can also get a wheelbarrow to help you haul heavier gardening items around your yard, reducing back and shoulder strain.

When planting flowers or vegetables, a handheld garden trowel is ideal for delicate work. A good quality trowel has a flat, scoop-like tip for breaking up hard-packed soil, and a solid ergonomic design with a comfortable grip. A rust-resistant stainless steel model is a good choice for longevity.

For heavier digging tasks, you’ll need a shovel that digs and turns earth with ease. This popular rust-resistant stainless steel model has a comfortable grip, and its broad step area and closed back ensures you won’t lose the blade in the dirt when you’re moving heavy loads.

A hand fork is also useful for weeding and loosening compacted soil in raised garden beds or lawns. For more specialized jobs, like turning compost or crafting a distinct border between a garden bed and lawn, opt for a claw cultivator with removable tines, which can be removed to suit your needs. A garden rake is also an important tool, for removing leaves and twigs from beds, lawns and borders, as well as edging along walkways and driveways. A curved edging tool is also helpful for creating a neat, manicured finish to your landscaping. You can also purchase a power garden broom for mowing dense grass or brush clearing.