There are indeed, many gardening hand tools out there. And depending on the kind of gardening you like to do, whether or not you do your own landscape maintenance, what types of soil and plants you have and simply what you like to do, your range of tools won't always be exactly the same as someone else. To get started, here are the 5 best gardening tools for new gardeners and homeowners.
Please note - we're referring to non-motorized hand tools.
* A pair of work gloves: Pretty basic, right? Long-time landscapers and gardeners will attest to those periodic times when forgotten gloves were sorely missed. Gloves keep your hands from getting cut up and gouged apart. They keep from thorns and abrasions too, plus help add a little extra grip just when you need it. Simple work gloves that have rubber texture gripping on the palms and undersides of the fingers with cotton knit fabric overall are ideal. Keep these in your shed or tool box at all times. Heavier rubber gloves become hot, sweaty...and smelly, plus they're not very good for precise, delicate work like weeding.
* A good hose and sprayer: Know how much length you're going to need by measuring before you purchase. You can always connect two lengths of hoses together. Note: Vinyl hoses break down quickly, so investing in a completely rubber hose will pay off - as the hose will last. Sprayer nozzles don't have to be expensive or fancy. If you have a garden and plan on overhead watering, invest in a watering wand for applying over the plants.
* A leaf rake: A wide, lightweight rake used for not only raking fall leaves, but for raking just about anything. If you don't use a bag on your mower, a leaf rake will do a good job piling up grass clippings...for composting. Remove or spread mulch organic mulch with your leaf rake. Uses will be endless.
* A basic shovel: A regular shaped spade made of tempered steel and a round point, with a 48-inch shaft is perfect to get started. Use a spade or shovel like this for planting, but it'll also come in handy for making new garden beds, turning compost, applying mulches or soil, digging for repairs around the house or digging for a new outdoor project, and sometimes unfortunately, for scooping up dog poop.
* A hand pruner: A basic set of pruners will help you trim and prune shrubs & perennials in a very basic fashion. Removing dead and diseased wood, dead growth at the end of each season, removing seed heads, fruit, or even flowers for a vase, basic pruners are a must. Look for utilitarian hand-held bypass cutters.
There are MANY more gardening hand tools available and many are very helpful. These are the best 5 gardening tools to get you started.
