Whether you are a beginner gardener or an expert, we all have tools that we can’t live without in our passion for gardening. Successful gardening doesn’t require a garden shed full of expensive tools, but to make your job easier and more efficient it helps to have a good assortment of basic gardening tools on hand. Here are my 7 Tools Every Gardener Needs and a few tips for making them last and stay in tip top shape.
7 Tools Every Gardener Needs
- Hand/Leaf Rake- This big tool is a necessity for cleaning up in the yard, around the garden, and down the garden rows. Leaf rakes make quick work of spreading soil, mulch, and cleaning up leaves.
- Round Head Shovel- Good for turning over soil to start a new garden, planting or removing large plants. For scooping compost into the garden a quality shovel is a must!
- Washable Gloves- Protect your hands from scratches, thorns, blisters, and callouses while you garden. Spring for a quality pair of gloves that fit well, are not bulky, and are washable. You may want to have a thin pair for basic gardening and a thicker, sturdier pair for work gloves when carrying brush or digging up trees. Store them indoors or in a cabinet instead of leaving them out in the elements.
- Hand Trowel- Stainless steel is optimal. They are useful for potting or planting small plants and weed removal. This tool gets a lot of use in my garden.
- Spade- Much like a large shovel, a spade is useful for planting or removing plants but is perfect for those that are smaller. You can use it for ground planting or containers.
- Wheel Barrow- Use a wheel barrow for everything from plants, pots, soil, mulch, wood, and compost. A wheelbarrow is great to have on hand. Use old broken down wheel barrows as a planter for flowers.
- Garden Hose- Opt for a light but quality garden hose that reaches the furthest point of your garden to help keep it all well watered. I love this coil hose, it is super light and retracts to keep it from laying across the yard.
Tool Care and Maintenance:
- Rinse tools clean and dry them before storing. Use a good stiff brush to clean them well.
- To keep your tools in top shape store them in a garden shed or garage and away from the elements.
- Store metal hand tools in a bucket of sand mixed with a bit of motor oil to keep them free of moisture which leads to rust.
- Spend a few extra dollars to get the better quality tools. They will save you in the long run.
- Regularly oil joints, moving parts, and even wooden handles.
What garden tool can you not live without?
More Tips for Gardeners:
7 Items of Clothing for Every Gardener’s Wardrobe
7 Ways to be an Earth Friendly Gardener
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