The Only Four Garden Tools You Really Need
According to a recent study , Americans spend more than $500 a year on gardening tools. It’s a lot. Gardening is one of those hobbies that requires multiple tools, so it’s inevitable that you’ll lose some money, but in reality you’ll only need a few. You can start gardening with incredibly little overhead.
Quite a good shovel
If you’re digging in dirt, you’ll need a shovel. They come in a variety of shapes, each serving a different purpose, but most often you’ll use a regular garden shovel. The wide tray, flared edges and soft tip make it easy for the shovel to go into the ground, while the edge allows you to stand on it. The width of the tray will allow you to pick up dirt generously, and the edges will keep the dirt on the tray so you can use a point to break up the soil. While we often think of garden tools with wooden handles, I prefer shorter steel handles that are less likely to break. I particularly like the Radius shovel with its lightweight round handles, but the long-handled Bully shovel is just as reliable.
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Garden shovel Original Green PRO stainless steel l 68.74 rub.
Hand shovel or hori-hori
Shovels work at a distance, but to dig a hole for planting or work with the soil when you’re closer to it, you’ll need a hand shovel. Like shovels, they come in different shapes, but it’s best to start with a basic tool. The shovel is neither too wide nor too narrow, with a nice sharp edge and a comfortable handle that won’t wilt in the summer sun or get dirty in the rain. You might also consider a hori-hori, which is a longer blade with a serrated edge. While the hori-hori won’t allow you to scoop up soil the way a shovel does, the hori-hori is an impressively versatile hand tool that allows you to get a deep hole exactly where you need it without damaging nearby plants, and also cuts through rhizomes. like oil, and get to the roots of the weeds.
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Fiskars ergo trowel $8.79
Gardening gloves
You don’t really need gardening gloves. Digging in the dirt with your hands is good for the soul, if not for your manicure. However, gloves may be useful if you are working with thorny plants or if you have a worm infestation. For this reason, I keep several sets on hand – a pair of workhorses that can stand up to the thorniest roses, and a pair of softer gloves for basic gardening work. Since I lose them often, it’s always a good idea to have more than one pair at any given time.
Great hose attachment
If there are plants, they need to be watered. Any hose will do for now, but you will need a decent nozzle for that hose so you can control how much you water and where that water goes. If you have hanging pots or beds that are out of reach, consider installing an extension pole attachment. For just a walk around the garden, a simple sprayer will do. Be sure to bring these items inside for the winter. These tips tend to leak easily, so spend a little more to get a decent quality one.
There are many tools that I like and use, from sowing gadgets to aprons and trellises, but over time you will figure out what you like to use. None of them are required to enjoy spending time outside or start digging in the dirt.