Essential Gardening Tools for a Beginner Gardener
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The Must-Have Garden Tools for Starting Your Vegetable Garden
If you’re new to gardening, it’s important to invest in a few good gardening tools up front. The right tools prevent damage to plants and soil, make efficient use of your time, and reduce the physical strain on your body, making gardening more enjoyable and productive. This post covers the most essential gardening tools you’ll need to get started, along with a variety of tools that aren’t required, but will make life easier if you have them.
Essential Garden Tools
#1. Hand Trowel
A hand trowel is a miniature handheld shovel that’s perfect for digging small holes, mixing soil, digging up weeds, transplanting young plants, and more. Find one with a comfortable grip and a strong, rust-resistant blade. If you can get a high-quality one, it’s worth it – it’s no fun having your trowel snap in two when you’re in the middle of planting seedlings.
#2. Gloves
Gardening can be tough on your hands, with thorny plants, splinters, and dirt. Even if you enjoy the feeling of soil under your nails, you’ll want gloves for weeding. The gloves are all that will save you from a day of pain if you come across stinging nettle. Look for gloves that are durable and flexible, with a nitrile coating on the fingertips and palms to provide additional grip and puncture resistance. I love these gloves.
#3. Pruners
Hand pruners are a great tool for trimming and shaping plants, cutting back overgrown vegetation, and harvesting vegetables. A regular pair of scissors won’t have the strength to cut through many of the stems and vines you’ll come across while gardening, especially when you’re cutting back dead plants at the end of the season. Bypass pruners with sharp blades are ideal for most gardening tasks, but long-handled anvil pruners can also work well.
#4. Watering Can or Garden Hose
You’ll need a way to water your garden when it gets dry, and a good watering can or hose will be a summer staple for you. If you have a spigot anywhere near your garden beds, you can use a garden hose with an adjustable nozzle. Soaker hoses also work well if you don’t want to manually water all the time. If it’s more convenient to use a watering can, choose one that you can comfortably carry without spilling water.
#5. Ruler or Yardstick
When planting, you’ll need to measure the space between rows and plants, check the soil depth, and more. You don’t need anything special for this – literally anything with accurate measurements will work, including any form of measuring tape. I use a broken-off yardstick my grandmother had.
#6. Hand Cultivator
A hand cultivator helps create loose soil, which is necessary for healthy root development. It helps break up compacted soil and mixes compost or manure into the soil. Find one with sturdy tines and a comfortable handle.
#7. Shovel
You’ll need the extra leverage a long-handled shovel provides when digging up some weeds, digging holes for large plants, and preparing the ground for planting in spring.
If you want to save some money, you can get a garden tool set with many of these already included.
Other Good Tools to Have
#8. Garden Hoe
A garden hoe is great for breaking up soil, creating furrows for seeds, and removing weeds without disturbing your vegetables. There are various types of hoes available, but a general-purpose hoe with a sharp blade and a long handle is suitable for most tasks.
#9. Rake
Rakes are versatile tools for clearing leaf litter, leveling soil, and spreading mulch. A leaf rake is perfect for gathering leaves and light debris, but a bow rake is typically more useful in the garden for heavier tasks like aerating and leveling soil. Whatever garden rake you get, it should be lightweight with a comfortable handle.
#10. Garden Knife
A garden knife, such as the Hori Hori knife, is a great tool to keep around. It can be used for digging, cutting, weeding, and even measuring soil depth. The serrated edge is perfect for cutting through tough roots and branches. Look for one with a sturdy, comfortable handle and a sheath for safe storage.
#11. Wheelbarrow or Garden Cart
A wheelbarrow or small cart works well for moving heavy loads of soil, weeds, and more to and from your garden, home, and compost pile. If you get a cart, get one that is sturdy and moves easily. For wheelbarrows, purchase one with a solid tire if you can – regular pneumatic ones go flat all the time and will drive you crazy.
#12. Hand Weeder
This simple little tool is perfect for digging up weeds with taproots, like dandelions.
#13. Garden Kneeling Pads
Gardening requires you to be on your knees for a long time, so a garden kneeler with a padded cushion can make life much easier. Some kneelers double as seats, providing a place to sit while you take a break or work at a comfortable height. I use knee pads, which take up less space and also work well.
#14. Garden Twine and Stakes
Vegetable plants, especially vining ones like tomatoes and peas, often need support to grow properly. Garden twine, stakes, and trellises can help guide their growth and prevent them from sprawling all over the ground. Having them supports the plants. improves air circulation, and reduces the risk of disease. You don’t have to buy anything special for this, since many thick strings, old curtain rods, spare pipes, and more can function as twine and stakes.
#15. Garden Shears
Garden shears are great for situations when you need a clean cut, but using your pruners would be overkill – like grass clipping around your garden, cutting flowers in flower beds, or harvesting herbs and some small vegetables.
#16. Labels and Markers
Keeping track of your plants is essential, especially when you’re starting a new garden. Garden markers and labels are a great way to identify different plants and their varieties, track planting dates, and record other important information. Waterproof markers and durable labels keep the information legible throughout the growing season.
#17. Special Clothing & Accessories
A wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses can protect you from the sun, while a sturdy pair of gardening boots can keep your feet safe from prickly plants and sharp objects. A garden apron with pockets can also be useful for keeping your tools handy and your clothes clean.
Bonus Necessity: Something to Store It All In
Even if you only have a handful of tools, you’ll want a bag or box to keep them in. While there are many nice gardening toolboxes out there, a pail, bag, or anything else you already have works fine. I’ve been using an old bootbox for mine for years.
Tips for Maintaining Your Gardening Tools
If you want to keep your gardening tools in great shape for years, proper maintenance will help. Here are some tips for keeping your tools looking and feeling sharp:
Clean Tools After Use: Remove dirt and debris from your tools after each use. Use a wire brush or a cloth to clean the blades and handles. (I’m generally too lazy to do this on a weekly basis, but it is important at the end of the year when you’re winterizing your garden.)
Sharpen Blades: Keep the blades of your pruners, shears, and other cutting tools sharp. Regular sharpening helps create clean cuts and reduces plant damage.
Oil Moving Parts: Apply a light coat of oil to the moving parts of your tools to prevent rust.
Store Tools Properly: Store your tools in a dry, sheltered place, like your home or a tool shed.
Inspect Regularly: Check your tools for any signs of wear or damage. Replace worn-out parts or tools to maintain efficiency and safety.
Happy Gardening!
Having the right tools makes all the difference when you’re first starting your gardening journey. This list of essential gardening tools will help you determine what you need so you can easily maintain a beautiful garden for years to come.
Another common topic for beginners is companion planting. Find out what it is and how to get started.
