Here’s a list of must-haves, broken down into two parts: the first five tools every gardener should have, and the remaining seven are essentials for people with backyard gardens. The larger your garden, the more important it is that you have quality tools. What to Look For: A good trowel is strong, sturdy, made of steel with an ergonomic anti-slip rubber handle. Depending on your personal strength, a heavier trowel is better because the heft will make it easier for you to break up compacted soil. What to Look For: These gloves should be long enough that the cuffs cover your wrists. Leather gloves are the most durable, and some come with extra foam padding or cushioning for comfort. What to Look For: Search for bypass pruners with blades made of high-quality hardened steel. What to Look For: Choose one with a detachable rose (the device that makes a soft spray) so that when you detach the rose you can reach the soil around plants without getting them wet. What to Look For: The bottle should be clear so you can see its contents. Spray bottles are often cheaply made and break easily, so spending a few dollars more for a heavier-duty handle and nozzle pays off in the long term. What to Look For: High-end models have replaceable blades. Similar to bypass pruners, there are different models for lefties and righties. What to Look For: They come in different handle lengths. 18 to 24 inches works for most small yards. What to Look For: Shovels with a forged blade are more expensive but also more durable. A long-handled shovel, typically between 44 and 48 inches, gives you more leverage making it easier on your back than a short-handled shovel. As for the handle material, fiberglass shovel handles are generally more durable than wooden handles, but either material works fine. What to Look For: A width of 24 inches works well for most jobs. What to Look For: Cultivators come in several styles; models with a curved hook and narrow sharp pointy end give you the most flexibility when working around plants. The watering wand is important to get water into hard-to-reach places. It should give you multiple choices for watering patterns. Make sure that the watering wand fits the hose. What to Look For: When buying a gardening hose, it boils down to how much money you are willing to spend, but investing in good quality usually pays off. What to Look For: Inflated rubber tires give a nicer roll and ride, but a solid rubber tire means you don’t have to worry about keeping the tire inflated.
