Gardening is one of the most rewarding hobbies. It allows you to spend time in nature and get some fresh air and Vitamin D. You can grow your decorative plants or maintain a food garden. Regular gardening keeps your yard looking manicured and appealing, saving you from having to hire a professional to do the job. So what equipment do you need to start a garden? Check out this list of useful home-garden tools.
Protective gear
Keep your hands and knees protected with the right gear.
- Gloves – Shield your hands with a pair of durable gardening gloves. These can save your skin from painful splinters and blisters. They can also protect you from UV rays. For best results, look for gloves that aren’t too bulky. Consider breathability and waterproof materials, and find a glove that keeps you cool and comfortable.
- Kneeling pad – Consider using a kneeling pad. These foam pads allow you to work closer to the ground without getting sore knees.
Watering
These watering tools will keep your garden healthy and well-hydrated.
- Hose – Start with a quality garden hose with an adjustable nozzle. This will let you reach different areas. You can use the right water pressure and spray pattern for different plants, from delicate seedlings to established trees. Consider how long your hose needs to be before purchasing even if it is for your Oyo flagship.
- Watering can – If your garden is very small or you only have a container garden, you might only need a simple watering can. They’re also useful to keep around regardless of your garden size. They let you quickly address any dry spots you see around your garden without having to get the hose out.
- Watering wand – Watering wands are a great option if you have a lot of hanging plants or hard-to-reach containers. In general, these come with a curved head and feature an adjustable flow to deliver a gentle shower to your thirsty plants.
- Sprinkler – Setting up a sprinkler can save you time and effort if you have a large garden plot. Sprinklers are also essential for giving your lawn a good soaking, especially after applying lawn fertilizer and during the hotter months. These can cover a lot of ground and make watering a simple process.
Soil
Your soil is the most fundamental aspect of your garden. These tools can ensure you’re caring for it properly.
- Soil monitor – Soil monitors are inexpensive yet can prove to be very useful. Use these to check moisture levels, assess whether the plant is getting enough sun, and measure pH values.
- Hand fork or cultivator – This smaller fork is excellent for scratching soil and removing weeds. It’s also known as a digging fork or digger. The hand cultivator is similar to the fork but shaped like a claw. It’s used for weeding and turning the soil before sowing.
- Hand trowel – For many gardeners, a hand trowel is indispensable for breaking up soil. It’s also essential for digging holes for planting, transplanting seedlings, and weeding. These look like miniature spades. For most use cases, a trowel with a sturdy stainless steel blade and wooden handle will make a great choice.
- Shovel – Shovels are long-handled tools with a pointed blade. This tool is great for moving your soil around and digging.
- Spade – Spades usually have long handles, straight edges, and flat blades. They are excellent for edging and for digging square-shaped holes. They can also be used for getting rid of roots, plants, and weeds.
- Fork – A garden fork is used for turning your soil and aerating it. You can also use it to turn compost and for general digging.
- Hoe – Hoes have long handles and a thin, flat blade. They’re used to break up soil, for weeding and to prepare garden beds.
- Rake – Garden rakes are used for smoothing out compost and mulch, and for raking soil for seeding. Keep in mind garden rakes are different from leaf rakes since they have a rectangular head with tines rather than a fan-shaped head with more flexible prongs or teeth.
- Wheelbarrow – A bucket might be sufficient for small amounts of soil. However, if you’ll be moving large amounts of compost, soil, mulch, or even rocks and stones around your garden, consider getting a wheelbarrow. A good choice might be a wheelbarrow with a single handle and two wheels that keeps its balance well.
Pruning and cutting
Keep your new garden looking well-manicured with these pruning and cutting tools.
- Hand-held weeder – Try chemical-free weed removal with these handheld tools that make it easy to pull out plants by the root.
- Shears – You’ll find hand shears useful for trimming shrubs and plants that are getting out of control. They’re also great for harvesting produce, in addition to cutting down plants for composting.
- Lopper – These are shears with long handles that let you reach high branches.
- Scissors – Garden scissors are great for removing dead flowers, harvesting herbs, and cutting back the more delicate plants in your garden.
- Knife – Also known as hori-hori knives, a gardening knife could prove to be useful for anything from sod cutting and edging to pruning to bulb sowing. This multipurpose tool has two cutting edges. Some have a serrated edge and a ruler printed onto the side.
Conclusion
Having the right garden tools is essential if you’re starting a home garden. You don’t need a shed filled with specialist equipment. Instead, focus on the essential, quality tools that make everyday gardening easier so that you can relax on the recliner later. You’ll save time and energy and be able to keep yourself safe and protected. Moreover, you’ll also do a better job and be more likely to enjoy the experience, which is probably the most important factor of all. By investing in these essential gardening tools, your shed will house everything it needs to keep your garden beautiful and growing.
