There are so many different products out on the market that it can be hard to know which ones are actually essential. Of course, needs will vary depending on the situation, type of garden, etc., but these are all important basics - having the right tools can decrease the amount of effort needed to get things done right, and can even prevent damage to your plants.
First things first - Gloves. There are some tasks where I prefer to go without them, but overwhelmingly I use and appreciate my gloves. You want to get a good pair that is durable but not bulky and flexible for easy movement. Water resistance is another very helpful quality, and longer cuffs can prevent soil from getting into them.
Pruning shears need for pruning, obviously. Many plants require some level of pruning to bloom better and keep in peak condition. There are many different kinds of shears; some are better for dead wood, some are better for live green wood, and some have increased strength…so pay attention! All of them should sharpen regularly to avoid causing damage. Along the same lines are loppers, which are essentially larger and longer shears used for thicker branches and deeper spaces that are harder to reach.
For working soil, garden forks help loosen dirt. so There are a few different shapes, curved, straight, and square. Curved is great for looser material like mulch or compost;
straight works with digging into harder or more dense dirt; and square is better for soil that’s full of rocks and roots. Hand trowels are often used for digging out weeds and digging holes for smaller plants... Spades, or square shovels, are very versatile. They move dirt, dig larger and deeper holes for larger plants, edge to reshape beds, lift sod; there are many different kinds of these available as well,
with a variety of sizes and materials offered.
Beginner or professional, you can’t go wrong with any of these garden basics!
