A bad workman always blames his tools. And while saying our tools are rubbish has been a convenient excuse for many a DIYer, home gardeners know the value of making sure they have all the tools they need to maintain their plants and garden throughout the year. With gardeners perhaps it’s a case of not having the tools to do the job in the first place rather than blaming them for not getting the job done right.

And it’s certainly true that maintaining your garden can be a difficult task if you don’t have the right equipment. The good news is that there are a multitude of gardening tools out there that can make your life much easier.

But which tools can’t the average home gardener do without? If we look into our storage sheds or polytunnel we’ll all have a vast array of tools. But which are the ones you need above everything else? We’ll all have our opinions but here’s the ten tools which are always on top of my list and which tend to get used the most.

Top 10 essential gardening tools

Hedge trimmer

If you have any kind of hedge in your garden then a powered hedge trimmer will make light work of pruning and maintaining it. You can get petrol, electric or battery powered hedge trimmers with petrol being more powerful but electric and battery powered trimmers offering a more convenient and lightweight method of hedge maintenance. For me an electric trimmer with a lengthy extension cord always gets the job done.

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Lawn mower

If you have any size lawn, patch or strip of grass then you will need a lawn mower to keep it trimmed and neat. Regular cutting will also promote great grass health and will result in a more green and lush appearance. If you’re anything like me you’ll get annoyed at how quickly the grass grows and needs cutting again. Unless you have a wide expanse of manicured lawn in which case it’s probably your pride and joy. Personally, I like a lightweight mower with attached grass catcher. It gets the job done with the minimum clear up afterwards.

Wheelbarrow

Wheelbarrows are incredibly versatile tools that make working in the garden a lot more convenient and stress-free. They can be used for transporting everything from your garden tools to plants, soil and sand without the need to make multiple trips. I prefer a metal bodied barrow and though these are bulky tools they can be propped up behind the shed or against the fence to keep them out of the way when not in use. For more information read our article on how to choose the best wheelbarrow for your garden.

Spade

Pretty obvious I know. Surely, there can’t be many gardeners who need telling they should keep a spade handy? So, apologies, I’m not trying to state the obvious but a sharp, strong spade is invaluable. Whether you are digging out a new garden pond or simply want to create some holes for planting, a spade will make the job easier. Your spade is also great for moving organic materials around the garden such as mulch.

Deadhead snippers

If you want your plants and shrubs to thrive then you must stay on top of pruning and one essential part of this is removing deadheads. This can be done by hand but there is a knack to it and it’s a little more time consuming. Having a handy set of deadhead snippers will make things much easier and give you a clean cut which will encourage new growth. I found a pair in a garden centre for under £3 and they have lasted me years though of course they do need regular cleaning and sharpening.

Hand trowel

When you’re working in the soil, there aren’t many tools that will come in as handy as the hand trowel. These are incredibly versatile little tools that can be used for planting, turning over soil and even removing weeds.

Loppers

Used for pruning and cutting plants and ornamental trees, loppers are ideal if you need to cut thicker branches or more dense shrubs. Unlike regular pruning shears, loppers have a much longer handle and this gives you a greater reach. These handles can be anywhere between 16 and 36 inches so it is wise to think about the cutting conditions before making a choice.

Garden fork

You can get either small garden forks or those with longer handles for bigger jobs. In any case, these tools are used to turn soil but also come in handy for digging. For dense or compacted soil, a garden fork is a better choice than a spade.

Rake

Your rake is essential when removing fallen leaves from the grass. It will also help to remove moss and thatch during the autumn. Some rakes come with adjustable handles allowing you to get into tight spaces.

Hose and watering can

An essential part of maintaining your garden is keeping it well watered. At the very least, a watering can will provide you with a way of doing this. However, for larger gardens, a good hose will prevent you from having to make several trips to the tap.

Which gardening tools should I choose?

The sheer number of garden tools out there is enough to send your head into a spin especially if you’re new to gardening but don’t let that put you off. Before you start buying anything, take a moment to think about what you want to achieve in your garden and its unique needs.

No two gardens are the same and this is important to keep in mind. If you have a large lawn that you want to keep striped and formal, you will need a good lawn mower with a roller and a rake, at the very least. However, if you’re looking to create a veggie patch then things like a spade, fork, hand trowel and hose will be imperative.

For people who want to grow an ornamental garden with lots of plant life, tools like shears, loppers and hedge trimmers will need to be at the top of the priority list.

The importance of garden tool maintenance

It can be tempting to simply throw your garden tools in the shed when you are finished using them but this is a dangerous habit that could end up costing you a lot of money in replacements. You see, your garden tools must be well maintained if you want them to stand the test of time.

Cleaning your tools is essential as this will remove any potential diseases that could spread around the garden, killing plant life. Furthermore, keeping tools clean will improve their lifespan.

It is also important to make sure that any moisture is removed from metal tools before storing them otherwise there is a risk of rust. While this can be removed, in severe cases, it can be tricky and will affect the performance of your tools.

For bladed tools, you will need to ensure that you keep the edges sharp so that they give a clean and efficient cut. Not to mention that dull blades can cause nasty injuries.

The key to enjoying your your gardening

Getting out into the garden is one of the most therapeutic things you can do but if you don’t have the right tools, it can become more of a stress than a joy. There are so many different types of garden tools and the ones that will work best for you will depend on what you wish to achieve. Whatever you choose, always be sure to take good care of your garden tools to ensure the best performance.