Gardening Tools Guide: 50 Garden Tools for Garden Veggies, Flowers, Trees

Georgette Kilgore headshot, wearing 8 Billion Trees shirt with forest in the background.Written by Georgette Kilgore

Gardening | February 16, 2024

Man holding gardening tools wonders what garden tools are needed for each garden task, such as digging tools, watering, planting tools for vegetable gardens and plants.

Creating a home garden using different gardening tools is one of the most exciting ways to spend leisure time. You can plant flowers that brighten your home or create an impressive backyard vegetable garden for your kitchen needs.20

If you live in an apartment without enough space for an outdoor garden, you can embrace indoor gardening techniques that allow you to grow a host of plants.

However, no matter how enthusiastic you are about gardening, your experience may not be pleasant if you don’t have the right gardening tools.15

This gardening tools guide outlines 50 common garden tools for veggies, flowers, trees and other plants, and the best tools for each gardening task.

Types of Gardening Tools (Gardening Tool Names)

Gardening tools are in different categories depending on their primary function in the garden.5

For example, digging tools are used for digging and other land preparation tasks that involve breaking and mixing the soil. On the other hand, planting tools are only useful when planting seeds or transplanting seedlings.

This guide discusses the following types of gardening tools, their names, and uses:

  • Gardening hand tools
  • Soil preparation tools
  • Planting and transplanting tools
  • Cutting and pruning tools
  • Edging tools
  • Lawn care and landscaping tools
  • Weeding tools
  • Watering tools
  • Harvesting tools

This comprehensive list makes gardening for beginners enjoyable, as it helps you choose the right tools without a hassle.

Garden Tools: Gardening Hand Tools

Whatever work you do in your garden, there’s a hand tool available to make your work easier.

Some popular gardening tools include those listed below:

Graphics of gardening hand tools showing gardening hand trowel, soil knife, hand pruners, hand weeder, and hand cultivators images.

ToolDescription
1. Gardening Hand TrowelIf you don’t have one, a hand trowel is an essential tool a gardener must have in their toolbox. It’s just right for minimal digging tasks such as making small holes, transplanting seedlings, pulling out weeds, and planting bulbs.7
If you are purchasing a hand trowel, ensure it has a comfortable handle and a stainless steel blade that lasts longer. The blade size can depend on your gardening needs and its intended purpose.
2. Soil KnifeLook no further than the soil knife for an all-in-one gardening hand tool.22 Its unique combination of three tools – a hand trowel, a pruner, and a weeder to form one all-in-one tool makes it the most versatile tool for any gardener.14
The common soil knife has a straight, serrated edge that allows you to cut and saw plant parts like vines and roots. You can also use it to dig out weeds, plant flowers, and prepare a pot garden for planting.
3. Hand PrunersOne thing to note is that the hand pruner is not a one-size-fits-all tool. Some specialized activities like pruning roses, cutting tough stems, and cutting flowers require different types of pruning shears.3
Some available types of pruning shears include straight blade, anvil, bypass, and ratchet pruners. Find a hand pruner that’s suitable for the job at hand and go for it.
4. Hand WeedersHand weeders may have different designs, but they all have one goal – to remove the dreadful weeds choking your plants. They come in handy in tackling individual weeds in your garden, especially when you have other plants in it.
An effective hand weeder has an ergonomic handle and an end design that gives you leverage against the weeds.
5. Hand CultivatorsWith the help of its three powerful tines, a hand cultivator loosens compacted soil around your plants for better root development and removes unpleasant weeds from your garden. Its role is super important in a flower and veggie garden, especially when the weeds grow too close to the plants.18
While many other tools can do the job, a hand cultivator’s unique design allows it to get to the base of the plant without damaging the roots.

Garden Tools: Soil Preparation Tools

Before you start planting, preparing the soil for plant growth is a key step you should take. It helps you clean the garden, eliminate debris harboring pests, and loosen the soil for better aeration and nutrient absorption.

The best tools to help you prepare the soil include the following:

Graphics of soil separation tools showing garden rake, shovel, gardening hoes, gardening fork, soil scoop, and garden tillers images.

ToolDescription
6. Garden RakesA good garden rake helps you remove stones and weeds, break compacted soil, and level the ground, making it suitable to germinate seeds or transplant seedlings. Once you’ve removed all the dirt using the forked side of the rake, use the flat edge to level the ground.
7. ShovelsWhether pointed or square, a shovel’s design allows it to dig into the soil, lift the loose debris, and move it to a different spot. Since the shovel tips are quite sharp, you can use them to edge flower beds and make trenches around them.
While the shovel may look like a spade, the two are different, especially in functionality. The shovel’s primary function is to lift and move materials, while a spade is often used as a digging and edging tool.
8. Gardening HoesThanks to its relevance in ancient agriculture, a gardening hoe has remained a popular tool. Today, various gardening hoes are used in soil preparation activities such as digging, clearing the soil, and removing weeds.4
Since gardening hoes are available in different sizes and shapes, it’s up to you to choose one that suits your garden and meets your soil preparation needs.
9. Garden ForksIf you are establishing a new garden in a place with hard and well-compacted soil, a garden fork is the right tool for you. It’s a tough tool with heavy and powerful tines that penetrate compacted soil and loosen it.
Stones cannot stop a garden fork as it can easily rake them out of your garden. This makes the garden fork a must-have tool for gardeners, especially those in areas with clayey, compacted soils.
10. Soil ScoopWhen preparing a pot garden, you need to dig up and fill the pots with soil so you can sow your plants. Instead of having dirt on your hands, use a soil-scooping tool to prepare your garden quickly.
You can also use the tool to sow seeds and remove weeds that are hard to eliminate. The soil scoop’s handle has a good grip to secure it while performing your landscaping duties.
11. Garden TillersAlthough small hand tools can be used in your small kitchen or urban apartment gardens, an expansive backyard might necessitate the speed of using electricity-powered tools.
A garden tiller is an electric-powered machine that turns hard, dried-out soil into soil that’s easy to use for plants. It does a fine job, leaving you with little to do with the garden before planting.

Garden Tools: Planting Tools

How you plant your seeds or transplant your seedlings is incredibly significant in determining their outcome. Thankfully, you can use some planting tools for easy planting and transplanting.

Check out these excellent planting tools:

Graphics of planting tools showing dibber, bulb planter, and hand seed spreader images.

ToolDescription
12. DibberThe dibber has only one function – to make holes in the soil for planting. So, it allows for even placement of seedlings in the garden at the precise soil level, making it an optimal tool for planting vegetables in the field.16
The dibber allows you to create holes of the same size at the same depth in the ground. This is mostly effective if the dibber is marked, so you just need to poke in the ground as far as the marked bit and then twist it out to remove.
13. Bulb PlanterWhen planting flower bulbs, you need to do it as accurately as possible to increase the chances of their growth.
A bulb planter eliminates guesswork, allowing you to plant your flower bulbs in the correct depth and give them a good start.
14. Hand-Held TransplanterTransplanting seedlings from the seed bed to the garden is more effortless when using a hand-held transplanter.23 Before you can transplant, you need to start by making little transplanting holes in your garden.
When the holes are ready, gently insert the transplanter into the soil, grasp the little plant, and set its roots carefully in the hole. Cover gently with soil as you work through to the next one.
15. Hand Seed SpreaderOne of the toughest chores for a gardener is spreading seeds evenly in a garden. However, using a hand seed spreader makes distributing your seeds evenly easy and avoids overpopulation in any part of your garden.6
Besides spreading seeds, you can also use the hand seed spreader to disperse fertilizer in your garden and have it well-distributed.
16. Planting Row MakerWhen planting seeds or seedlings in a row, there’s always a suggested distance between the rows so your plants can grow properly. Guessing isn’t easy when you need an accurate measurement, and this is where the row maker comes in.
These tools are specially designed to create straight lines and gaps between seedlings, perfect if you want to grow something like strawberries with uniform spacing. You only need to pull the row maker across your prepared garden, and there you have your rows!

Garden Tools: Pruning Tools

Pruning allows the plants to grow better, establish a stronger root system, and provide better aeration for disease prevention.

Here are some pruning tools you need in your garden:24

Graphics of pruning tools showing pruning saw, loppers, hedge shears, tree or pole pruners, and pruning knife images.

(Tree or pole Pruners Image: StromBer31)

ToolDescription
17. Pruning SawPruning shears are designed to cut flowers and shrubs with branches smaller than 1.5 inches in diameter. On the other hand, a pruning saw is perfect if the branches are bigger than that diameter.17
It has sharp teeth on the blade to cut through bigger bushes and tree branches. So, if you notice your trees and shrubs falling over or overly crowded with twigs, you need a pruning saw to trim them.
18. LoppersLoppers have long handles and short blades, so they can reach out and cut the thicker branches. Since the longer handles add pressure to the force you exert when cutting, they help you to cut the thicker branches easily.
19. Hedge ShearsHedge shears make great landscaping tools, giving your hedges that perfect level cut. You could be more inventive and create exciting shapes using the border plants for ornamental purposes.
The key to utilizing a hedge shear is using the entire blade, not just the tip. This gives you control over the hedge so you can trim it neatly.
20. Tree or Pole PrunersIf your existing trees cast too much shade or have a few damaged branches, tree pruners are a great tool to thin those crowded branches out to allow more sunlight into your space. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean you need to climb the tree or use a ladder because the tree pruner allows you to do it while you’re on the ground.
The size and height of pole pruners differ according to each user’s needs; therefore, select a pole pruner that reaches the top of your tree comfortably when using it for pruning or trimming purposes.
21. Pruning KnifeA pruning knife is a gardener’s close companion because you can easily carry it in your pocket whenever you visit your garden. Its sharp, curved blade is perfect for cutting delicate stems like vines and flowers.19
You can also use it to tidy up crowded branches and keep unwanted growth under control. Additionally, a pruning knife is good for harvesting cut flowers and vegetables.

Garden Tools: Lawn Care/Landscaping Tools

Landscaping activities may require bigger, powered machines to do the job faster, especially if the lawn is large.

Some garden tools used in lawn care include the following:

Graphics of landscaping tools showing lawn mower, leaf blower, string trimmer, leaf rake, and aerator images.

ToolDescription
22. Lawn MowerA uniform, lush green lawn is every gardener’s pride. To achieve such a lawn, use a powered lawn mower to trim the grass and encourage dense growth without any bare patches on the lawn.
Most lawnmowers are adjustable, allowing you to choose the grass height you want to leave. In dry seasons, you can leave taller grass so you don’t expose the roots to excessive heat.
23. Leaf BlowerA leaf blower forces air out of a nozzle, directing it to a pile of leaves or lawn clippings and blowing them away. It’s a great alternative to a rake because it’s electric or gas-powered, making it more efficient.
Unless you are cleaning a large space, a small leaf blower is enough to clean your lawn in a few minutes.
24. String TrimmerWhen cutting grass with a mower, there are places around the edges that the mower can’t reach. So, a string trimmer helps you get into the corners along the fence and areas close to the plants so you can trim the grass around them.
If you don’t have a trimmer, you may not achieve the fine cut you want along the edges of your garden.
25. Leaf RakeBefore you can blow away the leaves or pick up other debris in your lawn, you must first rake them into a pile.
A plastic leaf rake suffices if you are only collecting leaves off your grass. However, you can use a bow rake if you are collecting debris like grass and dirt that may break your plastic rake.
26. Step-On EdgersPruning shrubs for perfect edges is hard, particularly if you are a novice with landscaping. Fortunately, step-on edgers enable you to do that job without any trouble.
Additionally, step-on edgers range in size and shape for the trimming job you have in mind, so pick what works for you. For instance, a curved step-on edger is handy when giving your garden round edges along the borders.
27. AeratorIf your grass has patches of unevenly growing grass, an aerator is a tool that could fix the problem and improve growth. It has spikes that create holes near the roots, allowing them to spread better.
You could employ this technique during the wet season to improve soil drainage and keep the lawn surface dry. Depending on the size of your lawn, you can choose to use a manual or powered aerator for the job.

Garden Tools: Weeding Tools

Gardeners fear weeds not only because they often shelter pests but also because they tend to infest other good plants with diseases. The best practice to prevent weeds is to rid them of their presence and maintain control over them.

These weeding tools can help you to eliminate weeds:

Graphics of weeding tools showing weeding sickle, claw weeder, Dutch hoe, Dandelion weeder, and pruning knife images. (Dutch Hoe Image: Batternut30)

(Dutch hoe Image: Batternut32)

ToolDescription
28. Weeding SickleA weeding sickle is a specialized gardening instrument used specifically to cut and eradicate unwanted weeds in the garden, turf, or landscape areas.25 It’s an adaptable tool, perfect for garden settings where crops are grown in tight clusters or around delicate plants.
One of the most popular examples among the gardening community is a traditional Japanese weeding sickle. This Japanese gardening tool has an incredibly sharp, thin, flat edge for removing weeds between the rows of plants or any other plants you may need to trim.
29. Claw WeederIf you notice that the weeds in your garden are deep-rooted and are quite difficult to pull out, a claw weeder is the tool you need.
It features an elongated end with prongs on its base, helping you to dig into the soil and to reach and remove weeds from the roots.
30. Dutch HoeThe Dutch Hoe works great when you have shallow-rooted and small-seeded weeds in your garden that are easy to pull out. It’s made of a long handle and a flat spoon-shaped blade meant for removing weeds.
Unfortunately, you can’t use a Dutch Hoe in a crowded garden with different plants as it’s likely to damage some of the plants.
31. Dandelion WeederDandelion plants are hard to pull out, and if you leave them in your garden for too long, they spread fast and fill your entire garden. So, if dandelions are your worst garden enemies, dandelion weeders may be a solution for you.
The design consists of a two-pronged fork that grips the dandelion roots firmly and pulls them out easily.
32. Weeding HoeWith a weeding hoe, you can efficiently uproot the weeds at the root level of the soil. Most gardeners agree it is the best handy tool to cut or trim your garden hedges, as it comes with a long handle to make your work easier.
You may also use a weeding hoe when removing weeds in a bed with bulb plants, allowing you to put some extra soil around the bulbs to promote root structure development.

Garden Tools: Digging Tools

Soil preparation is important when you start planting your choice of plant or tree. Having the digging tool that best suits your needs is important, too.

Here are some of the digging tools that you could get.

Graphics of digging tools showing gardening mattocks, garden spade, garden auger, trench shovels, post hole digger, and pick images.

ToolDescription
33. Gardening MattocksIf you’re a gardener who loves one tool to do everything in the garden, the mattock is a must-have implement for you. You can use it to dig into hard ground or pry something off a surface.
The mattock contrasts with a pick ax, as its head is combined with an ax blade and adze for chopping. On the other hand, some mattocks may have prongs meant to penetrate into compacted soil to dislodge it for easier planting.
34. Garden SpadeTo get a garden ready, a garden spade with a sharp edge works great to till the soil; this way, you churn all the soil up and prepare it for planting. Additionally, the long is long and narrow, allowing it to dig deep holes where plants can develop a good root system.
Be careful not to confuse a shovel for a garden spade because they may look alike, but their functions in the garden are different.
35. Garden AugerIf you are going for a quick and easy method of digging holes while gardening, no other equipment like an auger has proved to be a game changer. All you have to do is plug the tool into an electric drill and use it to bore holes in your garden for sowing seeds, planting bulbs, or flowering plants.
Augers differ from traditional garden hand tools as they accomplish the work quickly, leaving you with ample time for other activities.
36. Trench ShovelsWhen digging a trench using a shovel, you should choose one with a high-lift handle and a straight blade to reduce the stress of bending too low to dig and clean out the soil. A trench shovel is excellent at penetrating sod and rocky soil, especially if it has a narrow blade.
37. Post Hole DiggerWhen planting trees, you want to dig a hole that comfortably accommodates the plant’s roots without bending or breaking. In that case, you need the post-hole digger.
It looks like the garden auger, only that it has bigger blades to create larger holes.
Besides planting trees, you can use it for landscaping activities like fencing. It digs all the holes you need for the fencing poles within no time.
38. PickA pickax is a good tool to use when you’re preparing rocky and hard ground for planting. It has a sharp edge on one side that penetrates the hard soil and cracks the stones hindering plant germination.
On the opposite end, a pick has an ax blade for cutting backyard grasses and roots.

Garden Tools: Watering Tools

Plants and trees need sun as well as adequate water supply to help them grow healthy. Make sure to get the right watering tool to help you water all the plants and trees in your garden.

Here are some of the options for garden watering tools.

Graphics of watering tools showing watering can, garden hose, hose nozzle, sprinklers, and soaking hose images.

ToolDescription
39. Watering CansIf you have an indoor garden, a watering can is a must-have device to help you water your plants without splashing too much water on the floor.
On the other hand, an outdoor garden may require a better watering plan, like using a hose, especially if you have a big garden. However, if the outdoor garden is small enough, you can still use a watering can and ensure all your plants get enough water.
40. Garden HosesWhile a handheld watering can is portable and easy to manage as you water plants around the garden, a garden hose offers a fixed, convenient water supply for reaching your plants with relative ease.8
Of course, you need to gently pull the garden hose through the garden so that you don’t damage any plants. Ensure you’ve got an appropriate length of a quality hose that won’t kink, break, or get sliced up as you pull it around the yard.
41. Hose NozzlesSimply possessing a garden hose is ineffective when it comes to the task of hydrating your plants. You need a hose nozzle to help regulate the water flow and ensure that none of the plants are damaged.26
The first step is to find a good multipurpose hose nozzle with different pressure settings to help you regulate how it works. Ensure that you regulate the pressure according to your plants’ water needs.
For example, the pressure settings you may have for simple irrigation differ from those you would use when spraying the area in front of your house to remove dirt.
42. Plant Watering StakesIf you are in a situation where you need to conserve water but also water your plants, plant watering stakes are the best tools for you. They allow you to water your plants at the roots where water is needed and keep doing so for a few days without needing your physical presence.2
Consider the number of plants you have and their water requirements before buying water stakes. There’s no need to buy the biggest size that may hinder the plant’s growth when you can have smaller ones that serve the purpose.
43. SprinklersThe most effective solution for watering vegetative plants, which grow closely together, is to use a sprinkler. You only need to position it at a central place where all the plants can get water and check to transfer it to a different location after a while.
Sprinklers come in different types. Select one type that serves your garden well and can last long.
44. Soaking HoseIf you have planted crops that form a ground cover or twist together when growing, you may not find a clear path to follow when watering them. To water such a garden, use a soaker hose that delivers water slowly to the soil at a low pressure.10
A soaking hose is permeable and allows water to seep out of it slowly once it’s turned on from the source. Place the hose close to the roots so you don’t waste water.

Gardening Tools: Harvesting Tools

If you opted to plant fruit-bearing trees, flowering plants, or herbs, harvesting tools are going to help you. With proper techniques and tools, you can avoid or minimize the possibility of damaging the plants.

Here are some tools that you can get.

Graphics of harvesting tools showing gardening scissors, berry picker, scythe, grape shears, and potato fork images.

ToolDescription
45. Gardening ScissorsGardening scissors are smaller than the pruning shears, making them suitable to harvest small-leaved vegetables and herbs, like basil. Their fine-tipped blades are also useful for pruning flowers and opening soil bags.
When buying scissors for garden use, ensure they fit your hand and are comfortable enough to allow you to perform repetitive cutting tasks without hurting you.
46. Harvesting KnifeIf you have a vegetable garden, you understand that harvesting is delicate and requires the right tools so you don’t damage the vegetables. Fortunately, a harvesting knife has a sharp, serrated, curved blade that always gives a clean cut.27
Some vegetables you can cut with a harvesting knife include the thick-stemmed cabbage, broccoli, and lettuce.
47. ScytheA scythe is a tool with a long history. It has always played a role in harvesting hay grass, mowing lawns, and cutting grain crops.
You can easily identify it through its long curved blade attached to the end of a long pole hand.
Although the scythe is still used in today’s agriculture, most of its functions are mechanized, especially in large-scale production.
48. Grape ShearsGrape shears are specialized harvesting tools for cutting grape stalks. One of the blades has deep serrations that hold the talk in place as the other blade cuts through it.
If you have some grapes in your garden, use the grape shears to ensure you cut them without breaking.
49. Berry PickerPlanting a few berry trees like blackberries in your garden gives you the advantage of picking fresh berries instead of buying them from the store. You can even have a family berry-picking day where everyone has fun.
Berry pickers have comb-like structures that pick the ripe berries without damaging the unripe ones. They also have a basket-like structure that prevents the berries from falling to the ground while picking them.
50. Potato ForkPotatoes require a special fork to dig them out once they are mature so that you don’t cut them or poke holes. A potato fork is specialized to dig the potatoes out of the ground.
It looks like a normal garden fork except for the curved tines. It also has a long handle to allow you to use it without bending too much.

How To Choose the Best Gardening Tools

The best tools for you are the ones that meet your gardening needs and are within your comfort level. For example, small hand tools may help you do gardening comfortably if you are into urban gardening with limited space.

On the same note, a horticulturalist practicing greenhouse gardening for commercial reasons may need more specialized tools that fit the greenhouse.9

With that in mind, consider the following factors when choosing the best gardening tools:1

  • Determine the kind of gardening you want to do and the different activities like digging, planting, and weeding you’re likely to perform in your garden.
  • Identify the most important basic tools you need to get started. For example, a good-quality garden fork, trowel, and watering can could give you a good start.12
  • Look for high-quality tools with prices within your budget. You want to have durable tools that serve you for a long time without breaking the bank to get them.
  • Consider the tool size and choose one that fits your garden size. Small hand tools are perfect for indoor and cottage gardens, while an outdoor backyard garden may require larger tools.
  • Check whether the tools require consistent maintenance care,21 like oiling or sharpening, and understand how to store them properly.

How To Clean Gardening Tools

Garden tools have direct contact with soil and plants with a hands-on approach.

Soil-borne microbes can contaminate garden tools when left with infested soil on them.11

A collection of clean garden tools leaning against or hanging on a wire fence.

(Image: Ray Shrewsberry29)

Here’s how to clean gardening tools.

  • Use high-pressure water from the garden hose to remove the soil from the tool.
  • Let it stay in the soap and water solution for approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on the material it is made of. Take a large pot, fill it with clean water from your sink, and mix in enough dish detergent.
  • Clean individual tools with clean water.
  • Clean the tools with a dry cloth so they won’t rust when stored.
  • Check and clean your tools for any rust for durability.
  • Make sure you sanitize your equipment by using chlorine bleach and store your tools overnight before beginning your planting process again in the morning. Dip them in bleach water for 10 minutes, then wipe off with a clean cloth.

Remember that if you want to increase their lifespan, then make sure you keep them stored properly. For the wooden handles, make sure that you rub them often with linseed oil.

Tools such as pruners and shovels have sharp edges that demand periodic sharpening so that they work at their best each time you use them. Also, inspect those with moving parts and oil them adequately to ensure they function properly.

Must-Have Gardening Accessories and Other Gardening Essentials

In addition to gardening tools, various gardening accessories and essentials make your gardening work more efficient.13

These may include your protective gear and other specialized tools.

Gardening accessories like, hat, boots, and water sprinkler, on grassy lawn.

(Image: Margo Lipa28)

Check out these examples of must-have gardening accessories:

Gardening Gloves

Of course, you don’t want to ruin your manicure with soil in your nails or thorns piercing your hands. That’s why gardening gloves are essential for any gardening activity.

They also help you have a firm grip on the gardening tool without hurting your hands.

Garden Kneelers or Knee Pads

You may want to kneel or sit when working on a section in your garden in order to reach the plants better. Kneeling on garden kneelers helps protect your knees from the hard soil so you can work comfortably.

Sunhat and Sunscreen

When gardening outdoors, protecting yourself from the scorching sun is crucial. To do this, you need to find a wide hat and suitable sunscreen to shield you from the irritating UV rays.

Garden Cart/Wheelbarrow

A garden cart or wheelbarrow is the best tool for moving heavy items like seedlings for transplanting, mulching material, or other tools around your garden. You can also use it to carry soil and other debris from the garden for disposal.

Plant Labels and Markers

If you’re growing multiple plants of various types, ensure you label them so you can keep an eye on their growth and give them what they need to thrive. Use weather-resistant plant labels and markers so they can serve you all year round.

Tool Belt or Garden Apron

A toolbelt keeps all your gardening accessories and tools close where you can easily reach them. If you don’t have a tool belt, put on an apron with a front pocket where you can put the things you need.

Compost Bin

If you like growing things through organic gardening, you need a compost pile or bin. You can mix all that into the soil when digging a hole for new plants and mix it into the soil when repotting plants with larger, healthier roots that flourish well.12

Soil Test Kit

You ought to find out about the type of soil you are dealing with and what sort of nutrition your land has before you begin making your garden. With this information, you can tell which plants are right for those types of soils, which type of fertilizer or composting method is ideal, and how much water your plants need.

Plant Support

Plant supports such as trellises and stakes are vital gardening tools for training and supporting vining plants and climbers. Without that support, the plants might hang down or attach to another plant, interfering with their growth.

Mulch

Adding organic mulches, such as straw or wood chips, around trees can also help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperatures. In addition, the mulch breaks down, releasing nutrients into the soil to benefit the plants.

Whichever way you decide, whether going for no-till gardening or just trying to maximize everything in your garden, you need simple gardening tools to start. You can go beyond the beginner stage on a budget as well.

For resourceful gardeners, straw bale gardening transforms less soil and other gardening supplies into a productive growing space.

Also, if you love native plants, conservation gardening is the trend these days. With all the right gardening tools, you can embrace conservation gardening and protect native plants that may end up extinct.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gardening Tools

Are Yard Tools the Same as Landscaping Tools? 

Yes, they are. The terms are used synonymously to signify a collection of tools requiring varying functions to garden and landscape an area.

Is Gardening for Beginners a Difficult Task? 

It’s not because all you need when starting is a set of the required tools for gardening. First, you have to know your gardening requirements and then pick the right tool for your needs.

Should Kids Be Allowed in the Garden? 

Yes, they should. There are gardening tools available in the market which are designed as child-friendly to ensure that kids enjoy their gardening activities without hurting themselves; if your kids show interest in gardening, get them a few gardening tools and let them join you in the garden.

Read More About Gardening Tools

References

1Albarda, V. (2023, October 3). Garden Tools Buying Guide. Lowe’s. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.lowes.com/n/buying-guide/garden-tools-buying-guide>

2Aldrich, J. (2022, October 26). 5 Gardening and Watering Tools that Will Solve Your Dry Yard Problems. Better Homes & Gardens. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/amazon-watering-tools/>

3Aloi, P. (2023, May 26). 4 Types of Hand Pruners and How to Choose. The Spruce. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.thespruce.com/garden-pruner-preference-1403219>

4Anum, J. (2023, March 24). 15 Types Of Garden Hoes And How They All Differ. House Digest. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.housedigest.com/760574/types-of-garden-hoes-and-how-they-all-differ/>

5Dykstra, J. (2018, August 19). 53 Different Types of Gardening Tools (Mega List). Home Stratosphere. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.homestratosphere.com/types-of-gardening-tools/>

6Ellis, M. E. (2023, January 10). Using A Hand Spreader – What Is A Hand Seed Spreader Used For. Gardening Know How. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/lawn-care/lgen/using-a-hand-spreader.htm>

7Hagen, L. (2022, April 4). 12 Essential Garden Tools for the Beginner. Garden Design. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.gardendesign.com/how-to/tools.html>

8Hopkins, E. (2022, September 1). The 5 Best Tools For Watering Your Plants Read More: https://www.housedigest.com/989810/the-best-tools-for-watering-your-plants/. House Digest. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.housedigest.com/989810/the-best-tools-for-watering-your-plants/>

9James, J. (2023, July 27). Greenhouse Gardening For Beginners – Where do I start? Greenhouse Emporium. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://greenhouseemporium.com/greenhouse-gardening-for-beginners/>

10Kilbride, B. (2023, June 21). The Best Gardening Tools. Almanac. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.almanac.com/gardening-tools-guide>

11Leverette, M. M. (2022, September 7). How to Clean Garden Tools. The Spruce. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-clean-garden-tools-4799140>

12Malin, Z. (2023, April 5). 23 essential gardening tools, according to experts. NBC. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/best-gardening-tools-ncna1266504>

13Phelps, E. (2023, May 22). The 10 Best Gardening Tools of 2023, Tested and Reviewed. The Spruce. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.thespruce.com/best-gardening-tools-4104448>

14Rose, S. (2023, March 22). Soil Knife: The All-in-One Garden Tool that Will Change Your Life. Garden Therapy. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://gardentherapy.ca/soil-knife/>

15Sgarbura, D. (2022, May 24). 50 Tools Used for Gardening – Tools to Try This Year. You Had Me At Gardening. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://youhadmeatgardening.com/tools-used-for-gardening/>

16Sim, A. (2023, April 15). All About Dibbers: How to Choose One & How to Use It. Tiny Garden Habit. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.tinygardenhabit.com/all-about-dibbers-how-to-choose-one-how-to-use-it/>

17Spengler, T. (2022, August 30). What Is A Pruning Saw – Learn When To Use Pruning Saws. Gardening Know How. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/tools/when-to-use-pruning-saws.htm>

18White, A. (2022, December 6). 7 of the Best Hand Cultivators. Gardener’s Path. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://gardenerspath.com/gear/tools-and-supplies/best-hand-cultivators-claws/>

19SALESWW. (2022, July 14). How to use a Pruning Knife. William Whiteley. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.whiteley.co.uk/how-to-use-a-pruning-knife/>

20US Department of Agriculture. (2023). Vegetable Gardening. USDA National Agricultural Library. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.nal.usda.gov/plant-production-gardening/vegetable-gardening>

21Eckelberg, J., & Saxe, C. (2013, June 18). Maintaining Lawn and Garden Tools. Wisconsin Horticulture. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/maintaining-lawn-and-garden-tools/>

22Queensland Government. (2022, July 13). Gardening with hand tools. Queensland Government | Education. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/stages-of-schooling/CARA/activity-guidelines/gardening-hand-tools>

23IJESMR Journal. (2023). Handheld Plant Transplanter. Academia. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.academia.edu/31645279/HANDHELD_PLANT_TRANSPLANTER>

24Janssen, D. (2002, January). Pruning Tools – The Basics! (pruningtools). Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/articles/2002/pruningtools.shtml>

25Mahaney, E. (2021, June 2). Another Favorite Tool: Japanese Weeding Sickle. UC ANR. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=46539>

26Washington State University. (2023). Garden Hose Flow and Time. Irrigation in the Pacific Northwest. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <http://irrigation.wsu.edu/Content/Calculators/Residential/Garden-Hose-Flow.php>

27Tocco, P. (2012, May 9). Can you improve the cleanliness of your harvest knives? MSU Extension. Retrieved October 5, 2023, from <https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/can_you_improve_the_cleanliness_of_your_harvest_knives>

28Photo by Margo Lipa. Pixabay. Retrieved from <https://pixabay.com/photos/garden-garden-tools-gerbera-bouquet-3276321/>

29Photo by Ray Shrewsberry. Unsplash. Retrieved from <https://unsplash.com/photos/T8xw8yaRB5k>

30Dutch Hoe Photo by Batternut. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved from <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Draw_hoe_and_Dutch_hoe.jpg>

31TeleskopBaumsäge Photo by StromBer / Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported. Resize and change format. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved February 16, 2024, from <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:TeleskopBaums%C3%A4ge.jpg>

32Draw hoe and Dutch hoe Photo byBatternut / Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International. Resize and change format. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved February 16, 2024, from <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Draw_hoe_and_Dutch_hoe.jpg>