There are a number of gardening tools that are useful to have, depending on the type of gardening you plan to do. However, here are some essential gardening tools that are useful for most types of gardening jobs:
- Trowel – A trowel is a small hand-held shovel. It is useful for digging small holes, planting seedlings, and transplanting small plants.
- Garden fork – A garden fork is a useful tool for turning soil and breaking up clumps. Moreover, it can also be used for aerating the soil and removing weeds.
- Pruning shears/secateurs – Pruning shears/secateurs are useful for trimming and pruning plants. For instance, you can use them for cutting flowers and herbs for use in arrangements or meals.
- Hand-weeder – A hand-weeder is a small tool that is useful for removing weeds from between plants. It will loosen soil and break-up clumps because of the shape of the tool. It looks like a fork with the prongs bent!
- Garden hose/ watering can – A garden hose is an essential tool for watering plants and cleaning tools and garden surfaces. If your garden is only small, a watering can, will also do the job.
- Garden gloves – Garden gloves are useful for protecting your hands from thorns, prickly plants, poisons and other hazards in the garden.
- Rake – A garden rake is useful for leveling soil, removing debris, and preparing the garden bed for planting.
- Wheelbarrow – A wheelbarrow is useful for transporting soil, compost, plants, and other heavy items around the garden. It will save your back when transporting heavy items or plants. The wheelbarrow should be light-weight user friendly. It shouldn’t be overly heavy. Having pumped-up tires is also essential. Without pumped-up tires, the wheelbarrow will be heavy to push and you will risk hurting your back.
- Shovel – A shovel is essential for digging large holes, moving soil, and planting larger plants.
- Garden hoe – A garden hoe is useful for removing weeds, shaping garden beds, and breaking up soil.
These are the essential gardening tools which you should have in your gardening tool kit to get started on your gardening journey. They are readily available and having these essentials on hand can make gardening tasks much easier and more efficient. I recently read an article where a woman used a drill to make the holes to put in her small plants. This is ingenious!