If you’re new to gardening in the great outdoors, you might be wondering what tools you should invest in. Having the right tools will make your gardening work much easier.
Here are the top 10 must-have tools for beginner gardeners.
10 Must-Have Tools for Beginner Gardeners
There are certain tools that you should invest in to make your gardening tasks easier and more enjoyable.
1. Gardening Gloves
Every gardener needs a good pair of gardening gloves. Not only will these keep your hands clean, but they’ll protect you from any nasties that you might encounter, like spiders, thorns, and splinters.
Make sure your gloves fit well and that they have some water resistance. Don’t worry if you’ve never worked with gloves before. You’ll soon get used to them.
2. Hand Trowel
A hand trowel is essential for planting seedlings and digging small holes for flowers and small shrubs.
Choose a good quality trowel with a stainless steel head as this will last you for many years. Make sure that the trowel fits comfortably into your hand as well. You’ll be using this tool a lot, so you want one that is both comfortable and durable.
3. Secateurs or Pruning Shears
Invest in a high-quality pair of secateurs or pruning shears. The better the quality, the longer this essential gardening tool will last. You’ll be using your secateurs for all sorts of trimming and pruning jobs around the garden.
Make sure that you select the right pair that fits comfortably into your hand. There are even left-handed secateurs available. For those with arthritic problems, there are ratcheting pruners that make cutting stems super easy.
4. Long Handled Loppers
Long-handled loppers are essential for thicker branches as these will make cutting much easier. Furthermore, these loppers have longer handles that help you get to hard-to-reach areas.
Choose a good quality pair of loppers with either aluminum or carbon-composite handles as these will be lighter and will reduce fatigue.
5. Spade
A spade is necessary for making larger holes for planting into. It is different from a shovel in that a spade has a square or rectangular head with straight sides. Furthermore, the sides of the spade head are usually sharpened a little to allow you to push it into the ground easier.
A good quality spade can last you a lifetime. Choose one with a stainless steel head as this won’t rust. Spades with hardwood handles are of higher quality, but can easily be replaced if it breaks after a few years of use.
6. Garden Fork
Garden forks are necessary to work the soil and move compost and mulch. A garden fork generally has three or four tines. They come in short-handled and long-handled varieties, each serving a unique purpose for your garden.
A small, hand-held fork is great for weeding and working in confined spaces. A long-handled fork is ideal for breaking up hard soil, especially if the tines are square rather than flat. They are also useful for turning over your compost pile.
7. Leaf Rake
If you have deciduous trees in your garden, a leaf rake is an essential tool that you can’t do without. It allows you to rake up all those leaves easily and quickly.
Most leaf rakes have plastic tines as these are kinder to your lawn. Try to choose one with a good quality handle so that it lasts you a few years.
8. Wheelbarrow or Garden Cart
Most outdoor gardeners will need either a wheelbarrow or a garden cart. This allows you to transport soil, compost, mulch, and other garden essentials from one spot to another. A wheelbarrow is also useful for mixing up potting mix if you like to make your own.
Generally, wheelbarrows only have one wheel at the front and two handles that you use to push them along. If this sounds like it might be a bit heavy for you, you can opt for a garden cart instead.
Garden carts come either as a two-wheeler that you can pull along or a four-wheeler that can be pushed or pulled. Many four-wheeled garden carts also have a tray that you can tip. This makes it super easy to move mulch and compost around your garden.
9. Watering Can
A watering can is essential for watering in those seedlings that you’ve just planted. Plus, there are hundreds of different styles that you can choose from. You can select either a plastic watering can or a metal one.
Make sure to select a watering can with a removable rose. The rose is the part that the water comes out of. It’s usually round with numerous holes. This allows you to gently water delicate seedlings.
Once you remove the rose, you have a spout that allows a solid stream of water. This is ideal for when you need to direct the water to the roots of larger plants.
Watering cans are also ideal for mixing up liquid fertilizers. Just put in the recommended amount of fertilizer and fill it with water. Now you’re ready to feed and water your plants at the same time.
10. Garden Hose with Spray Nozzle
To make your job easier during the summer, you may want to invest in a quality garden hose with a spray nozzle attachment. This saves you from carting around multiple watering cans.
It’s best to select a non-kinking hose. That way, you won’t constantly be fighting to unwind the hose and remove the kinks. A good quality hose should last you many years.
When selecting your garden hose, make sure that it’s long enough to reach all the areas that will need watering in your yard. You might also consider a retractable hose as this is tidier and means that you won’t be tripping over the hose that someone has forgotten to put away.
