“There are no happier folks than plant lovers and none more generous than those who garden.”
If you too love investing your time in plants and flowers, here’s a catch for you. No matter whether you are a newbie in gardening or simply wish to update your tools, choosing useful gardening tools can be really tricky. So, to make the job at hand easier for you, here are some of the most important gardening tools you will need on & off.
10 Must-Have Gardening Tools
Enjoy uninterrupted gardening sessions and groom your lovely, luscious garden with the right pair of tools. Keep these tools within arm’s reach every time you go into the garden. For one thing, because you never know when you might need them. All you need to do is invest in good-quality versions of these eight essential garden tools.
1. Garden Sickle
A garden sickle is one of the most underrated gardening tools. It is ideal for clearing undergrowth, light vegetation, nettles, and briars. Also, it is perfect for trimming back ditches. Despite its easy usage, most of the gardeners go for trimmers and strimmers only because this tool is hardly even mentioned.
However, if you gauge, most grass strimmers and trimmers are noisy and hard to operate especially when the garden is already rather out of control. It’s easy to complete the job with them when the garden is already pretty tame. But if you need to control wilderness, then garden sickle should be your choice.
2. Oscillating Hoe
Another important tool that needs introduction is the oscillating hoe. This handy tool is a long-handled garden hoe with a pivoting head. Its long handle enables you to dig an entire raised soil bed from the same position you started. The rotating head works for both the forward and the backward movements.
Also, the razor-sharp blade of this tool goes beneath the soil surface and cuts through the weeds. As a result, weeds stop rejuvenating because they have no foliage exposed directly to the sunlight. This fantastic garden tool usually comes with a removable blade so it can be interchanged if damaged or worn. Isn’t it a wonderful tool to keep your fauna free from insecticides and weeds?
3. Soil Knife
This rugged gardening tool is one of the top favorites to give you a beautiful and perfect landscape. How do you ask? Well, this soil knife is particularly designed for slicing and chopping weeds, digging out taproots, and planting seeds. Simply put, it’s an all-in-one tool to beautify your garden.
Also known as the hori-hori knife, this tool has concave blades. Its one edge is toothed while the other is quite smooth and hell sharp. The easy-to-grip handles of this knife ensure quick working and movements. Safe to say, this tool is imperative when it comes to transplanting flowers and plants. Moreover, this gardening tool can also be used to divide perennials.
4. Watering Wand
What one tool do you need the most to nurture your garden full of pretty flowers? A garden hose, you might say. However, the watering wand is an updated version of it. For one thing, because it offers an easily adjustable flow of water. As a result, you can target a gentle mist, spray, or simulated rain shower on the plants. The main benefit of this tool is – it includes shut-off valves so that the water flow can be turned off from any distance. In short, there’s no need to run back and forth to spigot the water flow.
A watering wand is better than all other watering devices as its single hoe can be used for a number of important tasks. Its most useful style is the loop-type. This tool is highly invaluable for irrigating beds, hanging baskets, and pots. Also, its simple yet durable design allows to control and direct the flow of water on the plants.
5. Spade King
Winter is unforgiving to outdoor space, especially gardens. And, on top of that, maintaining a garden can be a real challenge. Therefore, why not start from the roots? Many will say, a shovel is indispensable for digging soil and compost, spreading manure or fertilizer, but spade remains the king. Spade helps in cultivating beds or rows individually so that sections of your garden remain undisturbed.
It is also great for cutting open bags of potting soil, chopping grass, and loading compost into the soil. So, when you’re off to buy this tool, make sure the spade head is directly in line with the handle. Also, take care that the handle and the shaft are strong enough to withstand the force.
6. Garden Trowel
If at some point, you feel like changing the look of your garden, then Garden Trowel should space in your toolkit. Trowels are great for planting flowers, taking out weeds, and digging around corners. The best part is – its hollow shape allows you to lift the whole plant from the soil for transplanting. A perfect trowel should have an ergonomic handle with a perfectly-fitted blade that won’t come loose after time.
Trowels are also wonderful for small and tight areas as their narrow width blade works better to plant small bulbs, annuals or perennials. Always remember while buying a trowel that it is forged from stainless steel or at least includes a stainless steel head. This ensures its durability and longevity.
7. Pruning Shears
Keep your shrubs, fruit trees, roses, phlox, and veronicas groomed using pruning shears. Garden shears are used to cut, remove, trim and clean any unwanted branches and weeds. Thus, pruning is a very repetitive process. Therefore, when you invest in shears, make sure the grip is comfortable. Or else it will strain your wrist and arm. Find shears with handles that grip firmly in hand.
Also, ensure that it opens and closes smoothly and won’t slip out when wet. Not to mention, a good spring plays an important role in opening and closing the blades quickly. Moreover, the quality of blades should also be sharp for easy cutting.
8. Wheelbarrow
Do you have time to pick all the scattered little pecks of branches and twigs? Of course not. Besides, the job is tedious. That’s why wheelbarrow completes the list of essential gardening tools. After all, you don’t want all your hard work being wasted only because you were too lazy.
A wheelbarrow is useful when you are weeding, planting, or maintaining your garden. Not only does it save time, but also helps in collecting sticks and rocks that have turned up in the soil. Besides, while harvesting, the wheelbarrow can be used to put boxes, bags, and baskets of fruits and vegetables. Make sure your wheelbarrow is durable yet light enough to move when full easily.
9. Saws
Although it’s possible to maintain a garden using a single saw, most gardeners invest in a few different kinds. Still, if you have to choose one, the best type of saw is the one with a slightly curved blade. A curved blade makes it easy to prune woody plants. Also, it can also be used to remove limbs and cut down small trees. A versatile tool, indeed.
10. Rakes
Again, the cleanliness of the garden is what makes it look groomed and perfect. Therefore, rakes are used to whisk away twigs, leaves, grass clippings, and other light debris from lawns. There are different types of rakes available in the market.
The best of the lot is a standard leaf rake. This type of rake is manufactured to fit into tight places, which makes gardening a lot easier for a gardener. However, make certain that you invest in rakes that have a smooth grip and are sturdy, and durable.
Quick Tips to Keep in Mind
Now that you know the essential tools to groom your garden, here are some tips to use them right. Follow them and you will thank me later.
- While working in flower beds, stations with tool storage and seating prevent backache
- Long-handled tools offer longer reach & strong grip but require more arm strength
- Knee pads save you from great wear and tear, both on clothing and kneecaps
- Short handles are best for tight and small work areas
- Always consider tools with interchangeable heads
- Try looking for the lightest tools with broad handles as they will be easier to grip
- Also, look for servicing and replacement and how long the manufacturer’s guarantee lasts
If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.
While partying and chilling out can be joyous at times, a home garden is something to cherish forever. Afterall, it takes patience and hard work to groom a garden with blooming dales.
Choosing the right tools and keeping your steps in check from the start work like magic. So, are you up to be a perfect landscaper now? Share and comment below if you have any more ideas for a perfect garden.
