This is my first in a series of sharing tools that I have found to be essential in the garden. You know that old saying “I wish I knew then what I know now”. The four tools for working in your garden that I describe in this article are practical and are sure to make your gardening experience more enjoyable.
The three great essentials to achieving anything worth while are: hard-work, stick-to-itiveness, and common sense.
Thomas A. Edison
1 - GARDEN GLOVES
Garden gloves are an absolute essential in the garden for several reasons. They keep your hands and fingernails clean. They provide a barrier to vegetation and insects that can cause skin irritation. Gloves come in several styles and quality options. When looking for gloves, think about the following:
- Gloves that have a comfortable fit. Many times, you will find gloves specifically styled for men and gloves styled for women.
- Gloves that have both breathable material and waterproof material. If you spend more than a 1 hour stretch in the garden, having a glove made of breathable material is important to ensure that your hands don’t sweat and become uncomfortable.
- Gloves fit for the task. If you are doing a lot of pruning, you may want cloves that have a longer cuff and protect more of your arm.
- Gloves that give you the dexterity you need and allow you to feel exactly what you are doing. This is especially important if you are hand picking off bugs from your vegetable crops or flowers.
- Gloves that are washable. For me this is an important consideration because my gloves get dirty every time I use. Mostly I simply wash under a hose. A few times a season I will put through the washing machine.
Garden gloves can be purchased in home goods stores, drug stores, supermarkets and via the internet. The price can range from $3 to $30 depending upon quality.
2 - GARDEN SHOES
Waterproof garden shoes are the second most essential tool for working in the garden. For years I had been wearing old sneakers in the garden. I would become frustrated when my feet, socks and shoes all became wet. I decided I needed something waterproof. When looking for garden shoes, think about the following characteristics:
- Shoes that are waterproof and keep your socks and feet dry
- Shoes that are comfortable and can be worn all day. Look for a shoe with a comfort liner.
- Shoes that are easy to put on; no laces to tie or buckles to snap.
- Shoes that are reasonably priced
- Shoes that can be easily cleaned with soap and water.
There are many brands to choose from and the important thing is to find something that is waterproof, comfortable and fits your budget. The brand that I use and are shown in the picture above are called ‘Sloggers’.
3 - GARDEN KNEELER
It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, having something comfortable to kneel upon when working in the garden is essential. The garden kneeler goes beyond a simple kneeling pad because it has the following features:
- Functions as a kneeler with a 24″ W x 9-1/2″ D x 19-1/2″ H kneeling area.
- Functions as a support. Kneeling and working in the garden for long periods of time can be hard on your back. When you are finally ready to get up, the side bars are helpful and reduces the strain on your back. Good back health is important in gardening.
- Functions as a seat. Just turn the kneeler upside down and you have a seat to sit upon. This is great for just taking a rest in the garden or for just about any other use when you want to sit down. I like to sit when I am cleaning large amounts of produce that I have harvested, when I am cleaning out garden pots and when I am designing and assembling container gardens.
- Folds up for easy storage and transportation.
- Has an (optional) accessory pouch that can be attached to the kneeler and is great for keeping your tools handy.
I purchased this version at Gardeners Supply Company. The cost, when I purchased, was ~$50.
4 - GARDEN WEEDER
If you garden, you are going to deal with pulling weeds. Who would have thought that this rather simple looking tool could be so effective. We inherited this tool from my husband’s uncle and for years it sat unused in our garage. Now it is my ‘go to’ tool for weeding. Here are the key features that make it special.
- Allows you to work in tight places (sidewalk cracks) or to get at deep roots
- The double prongs or tines at the end are good for grabbing the weeds to aid in pulling out
- It’s safe and natural, no need for harsh chemicals
- Perfectly sized for flower beds and small vegetable gardens.
If you are looking to purchase, do a search on the internet by typing in ‘hand weeder’. Various products will show up and you should see this and similar versions. Costs will vary depending upon quality ($3-$15).
If you want more information on starting a vegetable garden, check out my blog post Five Steps to Starting your Vegetable Garden. In addition, here are a few additional posts you may enjoy.
- Mother’s Day Garden Gift Ideas
- Four seed companies you should try
- Four essential tools for seed starting
Good luck with your gardening and let me know if you have a favorite tool.
