10 Garden Essentials that Every Gardener Should Own

Even before the last icy grip of winter, avid gardeners dream about what they are going to plant in the spring. Does that sound like you? When others are binge-watching their favorite reality television series, are you browsing seed catalogs? As with any hobby, raising a successful garden depends on having the right equipment. Get a jump start on your gardening experience this spring with these ten essential tools.

1. Heavy-duty shovel

If you are planting in the yard or your flowerbeds, your shovel will be your best friend. Consider purchasing a heavy-duty brand shovel with sharp edges and pointed end to cut through tough roots and compressed dirt easily.

Before you buy one, see if the handle fits comfortably in your hands. Look for handles made of sturdy hickory or fiberglass. The handle should be long enough that you don’t need to stoop for digging, causing agonizing back pain later.

2. Quality gardening gloves

Unless you are planting miniatures or doing container gardening, forgo the dainty floral gloves. Instead, opt for quality gloves that will protect your hands while doing a variety of jobs. The best ones have a light rubber coating that makes them waterproof. You will be glad you have a sturdy pair of gloves when you are doing a lot of digging by hand or are cutting out thorns or bramble bushes. Launder your gloves as needed.

3. Wheelbarrow

When you are moving dirt, mulch, rocks, or garden clippings, nothing is handier than a functional wheelbarrow. This gardeners’ friend has been around for ages and makes moving work a little easier. Wheelbarrows come in a variety of sizes, styles, and materials. They are available for just about any budget. They can help you carry things in every season and are an indispensable tool for your garden.

4. Gardening Hoses

Even if you have a sophisticated irrigation system for your garden, you still need gardening hoses for overhead watering and for cleaning around your yard. Nothing is more frustrating than a kinked-up hose that leaks and sprays you every time you use it. Invest in heavy-duty hoses with brass couplings and nozzles. While you are at it, consider purchasing a garden hose reel to keep your hoses neatly stored until needed.

5. Cordless String Trimmer

You may be a gardener who prefers to do all edging and weeding by hand. If you want to save some time and backaches, purchase a lightweight cordless string trimmer. They are available in gas motor or rechargeable battery models.

Bring it with you as you go through your garden and flower beds to keep your borders tidy and pesky weeds at bay. Keep spare string for quick replacement.

6. Blower

If you rake leaves in the fall, you know it is a job that takes forever and makes your whole body tired. How about grass trimmings and other gardening debris that is in your way? With a cordless or gas-powered blower, the forced air does the work for you. It will quickly move leaves and other debris into piles that you can shovel into your wheelbarrow.

7. Heavy Duty Hoe

To grow a healthy vegetable patch, the plants need regular weeding and soil aeration. Get the job done efficiently with a heavy-duty hoe with a long, sturdy handle. Gooseneck hoes are perfect for chopping away weeds and mounding soil around your prized veggies.

8. Pruning Shears

Fruit trees, ornamental shrubs, and some flower bushes require seasonal pruning to stay healthy and beautiful. The size of the pruning shears you need depends on the job. For roses and small shrubs, medium-sized shears will do. More abundant fruit trees need larger, heavy-duty ones. Choose quality shears that can be sharpened for the best results.

9. Planting Dibber

For planting perennial bulbs or seeds each season, a planting dibber is a must-have in your gardening shed. Dibbers come in different styles and lengths. They are pointed to make holes for bulb or seed planting easily.

Vintage dibbers and some modern ones are made of wood, although you may find some made of metal or plastic. Painted or carved lines on the dibber allow you to dig holes in the exact depth you need.

10. Wagon

Have you ever been working in your garden and had to go back to the shed for a tool you forgot? It is even more aggravating if the shed is a far walk. Put an end to this situation and load your gardening tools in a wagon. You can buy them economically in the size and material you want. Everything you need will be right at your fingertips.

When buying essential gardening tools, buy the best quality you can afford. Repair or replace tools as needed. If you maintain them properly, your garden essentials will serve you for years to come.