QUESTION: What tool does every gardener need? Do I even need tools at all to garden or can I just do it with my hands? – Evelyn B
ANSWER: This can be a tricky question because not everyone gardens the same. You have some gardeners who grow in smaller plots or containers.
While other gardeners grow in large garden plots. Some gardeners use traditional gardening methods. Then you have other gardeners which use the no-till gardening method.
Keep in mind, this list isn’t exclusive, but I did try to consider all of these factors in deciding the tools I feel every gardener should have on hand.
The first tool I think every gardener needs is a good garden hoe. This is great for removing weeds from your garden and digging holes for planting. I use this more than anything else around my garden.
The second tool that gardeners need is a trowel. If you’re planting in containers or smaller beds, a trowel is invaluable. I also find it useful when I’m trying to fill smaller containers with soil.
You might not realize how valuable a trowel is until you don’t have one. Then you notice how important it is to have a pocket-sized tool that can help you dig in or transfer soil with ease.
Our third tool for gardeners is a wheelbarrow. It doesn’t matter if you live on a large piece of property or have a smaller yard, a wheelbarrow always has its place.
This tool can help you move dirt, debris, and mulch around your home with ease. Though I live on a larger farm, and we use a tractor for many things, I still use my wheelbarrow regularly for smaller projects.
Our fourth valuable tool is a shovel. If you’ve ever worked with a cheap shovel, you know how exasperating it can be.
They break easily and can be quite frustrating. Find a good quality shovel and make the investment. This tool comes in handy when planting trees and shrubs, or when harvesting crops such as potatoes.
Our fifth valuable gardening tool is a tiller. This one may not be for everyone. If you garden in raised beds, containers, or practice no-till gardening, you can skip this tool.
However, I like to use a variety of gardening methods around my home. We have a tractor which tills our larger gardens, but I still love my walk-behind tiller for smaller areas.
I do recommend going with a rear tine tiller, as it’s much easier to steer when using this tool. It does make for lighter gardening work as well.
The final important gardening tool that I think every gardener needs is a great pair of gardening gloves. This isn’t just for those of us who like to keep our hands looking clean.
Though, if you’ve ever had potting soil stuck under your fingernails for days, you know the value of gardening gloves.
This gardening tool is vital for pulling weeds or removing stubborn plants from the ground. Gloves can protect your hands from being stuck with thorns or from becoming injured when tugging on plants.
Therefore, I highly recommend a thick pair of gardening gloves to protect yourself when you’re working in your yard or garden area.
This concludes my list of top tools that gardeners need. Whether you’re new to gardening and trying to decide what to buy, or maybe you’re trying to shop for a friend who loves gardening, these tools might be found extremely useful.
Learn More About Gardening Tools
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/tools-and-equipment/garden-tools.html
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/clean-and-disinfect-gardening-tools
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