Over the years, I’ve tried all kinds of gardening tools—some were duds, but others became lifelong favorites I reach for every season. Whether you’re just starting out or fine-tuning your tool kit, these are my go-to tools that help me care for my garden with ease and joy.
1. Hori Hori Garden Knife
If I could only keep one tool, this would be it. A hori hori knife is part trowel, part saw, and part weeder. I use it for digging, dividing perennials, weeding, transplanting, removing plants, sod cutting, cutting roots, and even measuring planting depth. Look for one with a sturdy stainless steel blade and a comfortable handle.
It’s extremely handy and multipurpose. I LOVE mine!
2. Bypass Pruners
A sharp pair of bypass pruners makes deadheading, trimming, and cutting back perennials a breeze. Choose pruners with a good safety lock and ergonomic grip—you’ll be using them often!
3. Garden Gloves with Fingertip Grip
I go through a lot of gloves, but the ones I reach for again and again are breathable, snug-fitting, and have rubberized fingertips for extra grip. They protect my hands without making me feel clumsy. Then there is another pair of gloves I love which have claws on the finger tips. Click on the link here to see how cool they are! They are perfect for digging in the dirt.
4. Kneeling Pad or Garden Kneeler
If you spend a lot of time working low to the ground (and what gardener doesn’t?), a thick kneeling pad or foldable garden kneeler is a back-saver. Bonus points if it has side handles to help you stand up like this one here! What I love about it is the handles help you get into the kneeling position on the pad, or turn it over and you can sit on it.
5. Hand Rake or Cultivator
This is my secret weapon for fluffing up soil around perennials, especially in tighter spots where a full rake won’t fit. Great for mixing in compost or gently removing weeds around delicate roots. The one I like the best is the Hoe and Cultivator garden rake. It has a 14″ wooden handle. It’s a 2-in-1 heavy duty gardening hand tool for digging, loosening soil, weeding and cultivating. What more could you ask for, right? Check it out here.
6. Watering Wand
This metal garden hose wand is a must with adjustable spray settings lets you deliver a gentle shower exactly where you want it—no more blasting tender plants. Look for one with a shut-off valve and a long reach.
These tools have become my trusty garden companions. I’ve linked to my favorite versions of each on Amazon—just click through if you’re building your own garden toolkit. (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.)
Happy digging, pruning, and planting!
