ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — As the weather warms, many people look forward to getting their hands dirty in the garden.
There’s no shortage of things to do outside in spring, and the season marks a perfect time to reestablish one’s green thumb and get down and dirty in the garden.
When working in the garden, having the right tools can make a big difference in terms of efficiency and ease.
“Maybe to start a garden all you need are plants, soil, sun and water, but gardening can be hard work without the right tools,” Garden Media Group‘s Stacey Pierson said. “Luckily, there are plenty of garden gadgets to make it easier and more fun.”
Here are five essential tools for a home garden — these will cover most basic tasks like planting, weeding, pruning and general maintenance:
- Hand trowel: Perfect for digging small holes, transplanting seedlings and removing weeds. It’s basically your garden’s version of a Swiss Army knife.
- Pruning tools: Use these for trimming and shaping plants, cutting dead or overgrown stems or harvesting herbs and flowers. Technically, all pruners, shears, and loppers do the same job, just for different-sized plants and branches. Before starting a pruning job, make sure you’ve got the right tool for the task.
- Garden gloves: Save your hands from thorns, blisters and soil grime. A good pair of gloves keeps you comfy and protected while working.
- Watering can or hose with spray nozzle: Essential for keeping your plants hydrated. A watering can gives more control for delicate plants, while a hose with a spray nozzle is great for larger areas.
- Garden fork or spade: Great for turning soil, breaking up clumps and digging deeper holes. If you’re working in tight spots or raised beds, a smaller hand fork works, too.
- hand cultivator/rake Hand rakes or cultivators have strong, stiff prongs designed to dig, turn, or till the soil. These small rakes are especially good for getting tough weeds or smaller stones out of a garden bed without damaging plants as a larger rake would.
Different types of gardens benefit from different tools to make planting, maintenance and harvesting easier and more efficient.
Here’s a breakdown of bonus tools for specific types of gardening:
Veggie gardens (in-ground or raised beds)
- Hori hori knife: A multi-purpose tool great for digging, cutting roots and harvesting.
- Seeding square: Helps you space seeds efficiently for square-foot gardening.
- Garden row seeder: Speeds up seed planting in rows with consistent spacing.
- Soil test kit: For checking pH and nutrient levels to optimize veggie growth.
- Drip irrigation system: Delivers water right to the roots and saves time.
- Floating row covers: Protects plants from pests and extends the growing season.
- Kneeling pad or garden kneeler: Saves your knees during planting and weeding.
- Harvest basket or trug: Makes it easy to collect and carry produce.
Container gardens (patios, small spaces, urban gardening)
- Self-watering planters: Keep moisture levels steady and reduce watering frequency.
- Soil moisture meter: Helps avoid over or under-watering in containers.
- Compact hand rake or claw: Useful for mixing soil in tight pots or containers.
- Plant caddies with wheels: Easily move heavy pots to chase the sun or protect from weather.
- Vertical planters or stackable pots: Maximize space in small areas.
- Fertilizer spikes or slow-release fertilizer: Ensures nutrients without constant feeding.
- Grow lights (for indoor containers): Extend your growing season indoors or help with light-loving plants.
Here are a few other tools that people might find useful when working in the garden:
- Hoe: A tool used to break up soil, remove weeds and create planting rows.
- Weeder: A tool designed for removing weeds from the roots without damaging surrounding plants.
- Rake: Used for gathering leaves, debris or leveling the soil. A leaf rake is ideal for picking up leaves, while a bow rake is better for leveling soil.
- Shovel: A must-have for digging holes, moving soil or transplanting plants.
- Wheelbarrow: Helpful for transporting soil, mulch, plants or garden debris around your yard.
- Edging tool: Helps create clean, defined edges along garden beds, walkways and lawns.
- Garden tote or tool bag: Keeps your smaller tools organized and easy to carry around the garden.
More gardening tips: