You're getting ready to create your first garden and upon your visit to your local garden shop you discover a huge variety of garden tools. Which ones are ideal for you and the garden you are planning? Which tools are essential and which ones can wait until you have more experience?
You can start out with a basic set of garden tools and add to your collection as you gain experience through the gardening season, or as your garden matures and its requirements change.
Here's the ideal starter set of Garden Tools:
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Shovel - a round-point shovel for digging big, deep holes |
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Trowel - a hand trowel for digging smaller holes |
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Rake - a rake with metal tines for durability |
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Pruners/Secateurs - good quality, general purpose pruners for pruning and cutting . Be sure to buy the best quality pruners you can afford, it's one of the best investments you can make—you will always need pruners. |
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Cultivator - a cultivator to loosen dirt before planting seeds or pulling weeds |
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Garden hose - a strong hose that will not kink, be sure to get adequate length. Add a multi-setting nozzle for a variety of watering and cleaning chores around the garden. If you have a lawn or large garden area, you'll want to add a sprinkler for morning watering in the dry season. |
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Garden cart - a heavy-duty plastic or metal cart to transport bags of soil and plants |
It's a good idea to purchase the best quality garden tools you can afford. These tools will be your essential tools as long as you have a garden to tend, so you will want them to last a long time. Keep in mind, the handle may wear out before the working parts of some garden tools and you will be able to replace them to extend the life of good quality tools.
Check out the ergonomically designed garden tools with a special focus on easing strain and stress. They're a great idea for if you're new to gardening and haven't got your 'gardening' muscles yet!
Be sure to clean your garden tools after each use and store in a dry place in between use.
