If you’re new to gardening, it can be difficult to know where to start in terms of what tools you need. When there are thousands of different spades and shovels out there, how do you know which ones to buy? And let’s not even get started on all the varieties of pruners.
Due to the overwhelming amount of choice, many people interested in starting their gardening journey end up with tools that make their hands ache, items that break in a week, or the wrong tool entirely for the job. None of this is good for the gardener nor their plants.
Whether you’re just starting out and need some recommendations or you’re an experienced gardeners looking to upgrade your gear, you’re in the right place. I asked three seasoned gardeners to share their essential gardening tool recommendations. They shared why they believe these 6 tools are non-negotiables for both gardeners new and old to keep in their shed.
Why Quality Gardening Tools Matter
Like many other gardeners, I love a good bargain. If I can get something for my garden for cheap, why would I say no? However, I ended up paying the price when I applied this mentality to purchasing garden tools.
Poor quality tools break and bend so much more easily than high-quality ones. My old spade didn’t last more than a few weeks before looking utterly weather-beaten. Cheap tools also perform less effectively. For example, poor quality pruners result in cuts that are ragged and staggered, whereas high-quality garden shears make straight, clean cuts.
The little bit of extra money it costs to purchase tools of higher quality that you actually enjoy using are a worthwhile investment in the long run – for your bank account and your tired hands. You won’t have to repurchase broken garden tools or bear the discomfort of implements that aren’t compatible with your grip. So quality tools do matter!
Experts' Must-Have Tools
But what kinds of tools do experts recommend, in addition to high-quality ones? Here are the top 6 types of garden tools pros say every gardener needs to have in their shed.
1. A reliable lawn kneeler pad
I won my first lawn kneeler pad in a raffle at a summer fair. It’s a unique way to learn about how great they are and once I started using it, I instantly fell in love.
Steve Corcoran, CEO of Lawn Love, is an expert in all things lawns. He says a reliable lawn kneeler pad is a non-negotiable tool for lawn care and gardening. He highly recommends that all gardeners use one as often as possible, regardless of age.
“Having a kneeling pad isn’t just helpful, it’s mindful for your health,” says Steve. “It doesn’t matter how bad of a condition (or not) your knees are in or how old you are. Kneeling in the garden for any length of time isn’t good for your knees, which can lead to discomfort or even pain.”
Steve personally recommends using the GORILLA GRIP Extra Thick Garden Kneeling Pad available on Amazon if you’re looking to maximize comfort. It’s thick, as well as water and slip-resistant.
Though he also notes there are “lots of great options out there and you just have to find what works well for you.” Don’t forget to measure all dimensions of a lawn kneeler before purchasing to make sure you will have enough room to kneel comfortably on the pad.
2. A dual-edged Hori Hori knife
Tools that are versatile are saviors in the garden, especially if you only have a mini shed space. That’s one of the many reasons why Jenny Rose Carey, horticulturalist, avid gardener and author of “The Essential Guide to Bulbs” loves her pink Hori Hori knife. It’s so useful yet easy to store away in the shed.
“I love this pink handled Hori Hori knife from A. M. Leonard for so many reasons,” says Jenny. “I’m using it for planting bulbs right now!
“The stainless steel blade is strong and sharp for digging with a serrated edge for cutting small roots and opening bulb bags. The handy inch measuring lines help me to see how deep the hole is – for planting bulbs at the correct depth – 2 to 3 times their height. The handle is comfortable to hold as well.
“Obviously I love the fact that it is pink – and that a portion of the proceeds go to breast cancer research is an added bonus. But all in all this soil knife comes with me on every trip to the garden, and it’s super easy to see among the grass.”
The easiest way to look after your Hori Hori knife is to wipe it down with rubbing alcohol after every use. Cleaning garden tools helps prevent bacteria spreading from plant to plant, as well as limits the chance of rust developing. You can purchase alcohol swabs from Walmart for easy use in the yard.
3. A spear head shovel
Another item Jenny believes is a must in every garden shed is a spear head shovel. There are endless brands and styles of shovels out there, but if you’re looking for something sturdy, versatile, and comfortable to use then this one will do the trick.
“For larger digging jobs and for planting bulbs in clusters, I use my spear head shovel,” says Jenny. “The spear shape is perfect for digging into tough soil or turf, but the shovel’s durability doesn’t come at the expense of comfort. It’s super comfortable to work with in the garden.”
Jenny personally uses the Reinforced Fiberglass Spear Head Spade available on Amazon, which has a cushioned handle. It comes in a variety of colors, but Jenny couldn’t help but pick it up in pink.
4. One or two large gardening tubs
When you’re working in the garden, you’ll often find yourself needing a spacious basket or bin. Perhaps you’re lugging around large amounts of compost or maybe you’re raking the leaves and need somewhere to collect what you’ve gathered up.
Tabar Gifford of American Meadows believes she’s found the perfect tool for the job: a tubtrug. Tubtrugs are large, flexible garden buckets that are a bit like laundry hampers, but designed for outdoor use. With an easy-clean surface and sturdy handles for carrying around the yard, they’ve become Tabar’s best friend outdoors.
“My tubtrugs are the unsung heroes of my garden,” says Tabar. “I have two that live on my covered front porch and they come out every single day during the growing season. I use them for everything: hauling compost, collecting weeds, carrying tools, even mixing up potting soil. In the fall, they’re perfect for gathering leaves; in spring, they’re my portable transplant station.
“They’re lightweight and flexible, which makes them surprisingly easy on your back. I especially love that I can give them a quick rinse and they’re ready to go again. After years of use, mine are still going strong – proof that simple design often lasts the longest.”
The Black Gorilla 10 Gallon Tubtrug, available on Amazon, is perfect if you’re looking for a container in a neutral color that won’t stand out in your yard or easily show scuffs and stains. But if you’d prefer something you will always be able to see, there are plenty of other colors including this extremely bright medium yellow tubtrug, also from Amazon. You’ll never lose track of that!
5. A CobraHead weeder
I used to be terrible at weeding. Nine times out of ten, when I’d try to pull a weed out of the ground it would snap, leaving the pesky roots in the ground to regrow. I’m better at it nowadays, often enlisting the aid of my trowels to dig the weed out entirely before tugging. But Tabar swears by a certain tool to make weeding a breeze: a CobraHead weeder.
A CobraHead weeder is a metal tool with a handle and a curved end, somewhat shaped like the head of a cobra. It’s able to reach deep into soil and curve itself around weeds, so all that’s needed is one swift movement to pull them right out of the ground.
“I was skeptical about the CobraHead at first. It looks simple, just a curved metal hook, but it’s incredibly effective,” says Tabar. “It cuts through compacted soil and pries out deep-rooted weeds with minimal effort. The shape also feels natural in the hand, almost like an extension of your wrist.
“It’s an especially handy tool to use in raised beds and tight spots where a hoe or trowel just won’t fit, and it can still do so with delicate precision. I can tease out a dandelion without disturbing nearby seedlings.”
Tabar uses the Original Weeder & Cultivator Garden Tool from CobraHead, but there are many more models out there including the stainless steel weeding tool and this hand weed puller, both from Amazon.
6. The perfect pair of pruners
No gardener is complete without a dependable pair of pruners, according to Tabar. She even went as far as to say if she had to pick one tool and one tool only to bring with her to a desert island, it would hands down be her Felco 2 Classic Pruning Shears.
Ergonomically designed to fit perfectly in your hand while you snip away deadheading faded blooms or removing spent leaves, these pruners have the best of both worlds: durability and precision alongside comfort and a lightweight build.
“If I had to pick one tool to take to a deserted island garden, it would be my Felco #2 pruners. They never leave my side pocket during the growing season,” says Tabar. “I use them for trimming perennials, harvesting bouquets, and even cutting twine when I’ve forgotten my scissors (again). They fit my hand perfectly and give me a clean, confident cut every time.
“I’ve had mine for years, and the fact that I can replace the blades and springs means I’ll likely have them for life. There’s a quiet joy in using a tool that feels so dialed in. It becomes part of your gardening rhythm. Be sure to clean them often and especially well before putting them away for the winter so there’s no risk of rust or bacteria spreading.”
If your hands could benefit from a bit of extra padding, the Corona Clipper BP from Amazon is another great pruner choice. The handles are built with gel grips that mold to the fit of your grasp and make long sessions in the garden that bit more plush.
Shop Essential Tools
Gardeners love Felco pruners. They're comfortable in the hand, produce super precise cuts, and their parts are replaceable in the event that they break or wear out.
Protect your knees from aches and pains and garden more comfortably with this simple lawn kneeler pad. It's thick, water resistant and designed to withstand wear and tear.
Giant tubs are so hand in the garden, as noted by Tabar. If you're looking for something more shallow to easily access your items, there are plenty of shallow tubtrugs out there.
