7 Tools Every Gardener Needs

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

1. 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.
2. 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!
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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?