You can’t grow greens without having the right gear. And sure, some are no-brainers (where would your garden be without a shovel? Or sturdy gloves?). But there are a handful of other tools you might not have thought of that will instantly raise your gardening game and make life so much easier.
1. Hand Rake
A rake, but make it mini. Hand rakes are a gardener’s go-to for turning topsoil, especially in smaller garden spaces. Along with removing small stones and weeds, a rake breaks up the soil and makes a soft bed prime for planting.
2. Trowel
A trowel is essentially a pointy little shovel, and the smallest spade you can find. Like a hand rake, it breaks up topsoil, but it’s also the best tool for shallow digging and can be used to remove weeds.
3. Weeder
If you’ve got a few weeds in your garden bed, you might be tempted to grab the tops with your hand and just yank ’em up. The problem is, that approach risks leaving all those roots behind in your soil.
A hand weeder is your best option for ridding yourself of these pesky invaders. Just insert the pronged head at the base of the plant and push the handle down, and the roots should pull right up. Easy peasy!
4. Bulb Planter
When planting bulbs, nailing the perfect depth is key. The foolproof way to always get it right? Use a bulb planter. This tool is the easiest and fastest way to plant your tulips, irises and other beautiful bulb-based blooms. Just push the tool into the soil, and you’ve got the perfect little hole.
5. Hand Pruner
Pruning is a must for keeping your plants healthy, and a hand pruner makes it quick work. The little blades are great for the regular deheading and shearing some plants require. You’ll also reach for your pruner when it’s time to pick fresh flowers for a gorgeous floral arrangement.
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Years ago I bought a child’s rake (metal) for those hard to reach, small areas. I still have it and use it a lot to remove leaves, etc from around my plants in my pea gravel and it doesn’t pick up my pea gravel. Now that I have learned a little more, I just bought a set that includes a hand rake and it will probably work even better, lol!!
Guess I need to get a bulb planter for this fall. Have all the rest in various sizes.
I have a “trake” which is a trowel and “hoe” combined. 18″ long, perfect for spacing pepper/eggplant, broccoli, etc. A must have for me.
It would be helpful if you pictured each gardening tool mentioned.
Interesting discoveries. Photos would help when talking about a hand weeder?
Love in Naples fl purchased recently for vegetable and flowers
Too basic, and obviously written by someone without a lot of experience using long handled gardening tools.
As a professional I would have written it this way.
1) Adjustable width rake, goes from 6” to 18” wide easily.
2) Long handled scuffle hoe. Why bend down to get the weeds and loosen the soil, simply drag the U shaped bottom of this below the soil surface and see how easily the weeds come up and the soul is loosen.
3) Soil Auger drill tip for planting bulbs and bedding plants. Every woman should have her own cordless drill; this extra long drill bit takes that power and ease of use out side. No more wrist aches after a day of planting.
4) Good quality bypass sheers. Test out different sizes, makes sure they fit your hand well because a great pair of shears will last you for decades. Bypass is the way to go, anvil pruners are not great for your plants.
5) Garden Trowel, most of us have them, few know how to use them properly. Ever notice that the numbers are on the inside? Trowels are not designed to be used like spoons. Hold the trowel so the handle is at the top, like you would a walking stick or a ski pole, make sure the inside of the curve is facing you. As you sit on your garden cart, reach out with your arm and stab the soil where your next plant will go, use your strong biceps to pull the trowel towards you. Make a hole large enough to insert the bedding plant, insert plant and repeat. Using your biceps instead of your weak wrists really speeds up planting
Thank you, Heather BT. I agree that the initial post was for beginners. Got some good tips from you. I never knew what a scuffle hoe was for. It’s on my “need to purchase” list now.
Heather BT, thank you so much for your input! As a novice por 8 planter who hasn’t even worked up to “real” gardening yet, this list is invaluable. Gotta go look up more pictures now
I’m enjoying my “Potted” garden since I’ve given up my huge home and garden,
which was lovely. I brought some of the lovely plants I had in the garden and of course have added many others. Looking forward to learning more.
I have raised beds this would be great
I have gotten lots of updates from this article. I am needing to get another pair of garden gloves mine are cracking. When I get to Lowes I’ll be purchasing pruning shears. Thanks
Some great info in your article I am able to put to use
in my future plans. Thank you for spending some time to publish this,
I know it may help many more as it has helped me.