Are you considering taking up gardening? If so, it might be for a variety of reasons and goals, which is why the tools you might need slightly differ.
Perhaps you’ve heard of all the health benefits of gardening and want to give it a try. From improving our mood and overall mental health to providing us with fresh air and vitamin D, working on the plants in our gardens keeps us healthy in many ways.
What is more, activities like digging, dragging bags of soil, and generally running around the garden provide us with a great way to stay in top-notch physical shape.
Another reason why people opt for gardening is to always have a reliable source of fresh food. Gardens come in all shapes and sizes so you can use your spacious backyard or simply turn your apartment’s balcony into a green space.
Growing veggies and fruits means that you will not have to spend a lot of money on food as you will always have your garden with quality, organic produce. What is more, seeing as how companion planting is beneficial for the success of your plants, you could also have fresh flowers in your home.
Even if you are someone who is not interested in growing their own food or you don’t really care about the health benefits as you already lead a pretty healthy lifestyle, you probably like keeping your yard clean and tidy, for aesthetics’ sake.
Finally, perhaps you, just like so many other people, are spending more and more time at home and are in search of a hobby. Well, consider gardening, seeing as how there is no need to leave the house and you can have all the tools necessary delivered straight to your home.
See more: Tools and Equipment of Professional Landscapers
If you are a novice at gardening and taking care of your home’s landscape, keep on reading for the essential equipment every household needs.
Essential Gardening Equipment Tools
1. Lawnmower
Let’s start with something that you will need regardless of whether you plan on gardening or not. A lawnmower is necessary if you have a front or back lawn. You can choose from battery-powered, gas, and electric mowers as well as those that are non-motorized.
The size of the lawn should play a role in deciding what kind of mower you will get. For example, if a small patch of grass is all you have, an electric lawnmower is all you need. On the other hand, if you have a huge lawn, you can even get a ride-on mower.
2. Rake
Something else you need to keep your lawn pristine is a rake. With it, you can take care of any fallen leaves or debris as well as grass clipping and mulch. There is a wide range of styles and sizes but a standard leaf rake is enough for your everyday needs. However, you can consider an adjustable one as it can help you reach narrow areas.
3. Watering can, garden hose, or a sprinkler system
It doesn’t matter if you have a thriving garden or only a lawn, you need to provide it with water. Therefore, you need either a watering can, a garden hose, or a sprinkler system. For example, if you have a small garden on the balcony of your apartment, a watering can is all you will need.
There are two common types, metal and plastic, but they come in a variety of sizes, styles, colours, and nozzle options. Unless a metal can is galvanized, opt for a plastic one as it will last you longer.
When it comes to hoses, make sure it is long enough so that it can reach all parts of your yard or garden and invest in an adjustable nozzle so that you can control the spray radius and the water pressure.
Finally, you can also opt for a sprinkler system with a timer that can provide your greenery with water even when you are not around.
Know more: How To Install Stepping Stones In Your Backyard
4. Spade or shovel
The truth is that both of these tools are useful but if you can only get one, you won’t go wrong with either one. However, in that case, look for a model that can do several actions.
For example, a shovel with a curved blade and a long handle can dig deep into the ground while a spade is preferred by some gardeners when it comes to planting, transplanting, and cutting through roots.
You should opt for stainless steel models as they will not rust as easily and soil will not stick to them, which will make digging much smoother.
5. Hoe
Another tool to consider in addition to the spade and shovel is a garden hoe. It is a great tool when you need to weed a garden, remove unwanted roots, or dig trenches.
A hoe will cut through tough soil with ease and you will have to put in less effort due to its blade angle. You should also look into oscillating hoes with long handles and swivel heads that cut on the push and on the pull stroke.
In general, you should pick the hoe that best suits your garden as veggie gardens usually need a wide, sturdy hoe while perennials prefer a delicate touch.
6. Hand trowel
As you could probably guess, hand trowels are best used in small areas so you will not really need them if your only goal is to take care of your lawn. With that said, if you have a garden bed for your plants, this handy tool is essential.
Learn more: Is Wooden Flooring Better Than Tiles?
It functions as a one-handed shovel and helps in taking out weeds and transplanting plants and herbs. A broad blade is better for moving around soil while a long, narrow one works better for digging up weeds and rocky soil. When picking one, make sure it fits comfortably in your hand.
7. Hand fork
In addition to the trowel, hand forks are among the most used tools when it comes to gardening. This is why you have to find a model with a comfortable handle and a well-fitted blade that will not come loose after only a few uses.
You can use a garden fork to loosen the soil and turn it. They sometimes work better than spades, especially when dealing with dense soil.
8. Weeder
You certainly don’t want pesky weeds in your garden. Moreover, if you also don’t want to pollute your garden and produce various harmful chemicals, you need a weeder. This simple, small, hand tool has a forked end that works wonders in terms of digging out individuals weeds and removing their roots.
However, keep in mind that removing weeds one by one is a time-consuming process and it won’t be easy. Plus, you can even get long-handled weeders if you have issues with mobility and back pain. Another great thing is that you can also save money by getting a Hoselink garden toolset that consists of a trowel, a fork, and a weeder.
9. Garden knife
Your arsenal of tools will also benefit from a garden knife. This versatile tool has one sharp and one serrated edge, meaning that you can use it for a variety of tasks. From opening bags and cutting twine and ties to trimming plants and cutting through roots all the way to digging out weeds and cleaning out cracks, it does many jobs.
10. Pruners in Gardening Tools
Pruners, also known as shears and secateurs, are an invaluable tool for every gardener. This scissor-like apparatus has two blades, one sharp and one dull, and is used to precisely clip small branches.
Read more: Fast Carpet Cleaning Method
You will need it to keep plants from getting out of control. There are several types, such as anvil and bypass pruners. Bypass pruners work better for live plants and green wood, while anvil-style ones can cause crush injuries to fresh plants and are better for dead wood. You should sharpen them regularly to avoid damaging your plants and achieve cleaner cuts.
11. Loppers
For trimming hedges, cutting off thin tree branches, and shaping shrubs and bushes, you should also invest in a pair of loppers. A lopper is basically an oversized pair of shears, with a strong blade and long handles.
That way, you can trim hard-to-reach areas and deal with thicker branches. Just like with pruners, there are anvil and bypass types. Also, bypass loppers are more precise than anvil ones.
12. Gardening Tools: Pruning saw
If you think you will be dealing with larger tree branches, shears and loppers might not be enough and you might need a pruning saw. By getting a long-reach saw, you might be able to reach higher branches without needing to use ladders.
Not only can you cut branches but you will also be able to remove roots. There is no need to get a chainsaw as they are expensive and you probably won’t get your money’s worth.
13. Wheelbarrow
Having a wheelbarrow is also very useful if you need to move soil, compost, mulch, or plants from one area of the yard to another as you will not have to carry everything by hand.
You can choose from galvanized and plastic models and decide whether you want a traditional dual-handle, single-wheel one or a single-handle two-wheel model. Keep in mind that the latter might be easier to use.
14. Garden gloves
Of course, you cannot neglect your safety when gardening, which is why you need quality gardening gloves that will not only keep your hands clean but safe from cuts, scratches, and blisters as well. When picking a pair, you want it to be durable, water-resistant, and breathable but not bulky as that can limit your range of movements when working with seeds and seedlings.
15. Knee pads or mat
Finally, you could be spending a lot of time on the ground when taking care of your garden. By having knee pads or a knee mat, you will be much more comfortable.
Also Read: Things about Custom Cabinetry
While you might not use all of these on a regular basis, your household should still own these pieces of equipment. Find a place to store them and make sure you maintain them properly.
Leave a comment