Every gardener needs tools. And I’m sure most of us have got plenty of garden tools in the shed or in a handy carry box. But if you’re a new or novice gardener or looking to replace some aging tools which are the tools all gardeners need? These are the ten garden hand tools we think everyone should have.

1 Pruning shears

If you grow plants, you’re going to need pruning shears. They’re also called secateurs but are one and the same thing. Whatever your pruning tool is called, it's an essential piece of kit for every gardener. They are used to control plants that are growing a little too wildly and come in two different styles.

Bypass pruning shears act in a very similar way to scissors and are great for green wood and live plants. On the other hand, anvil shears behave more like a knife and are more suited to dead wood as they may harm green wood. There are also ratcheting pruning shears which are great for people with limited hand strength.

2 Gloves

So essential but so easy to forget. When working in the garden, protecting your hands is of the utmost importance so a high-quality pair of gloves is a must. You should look for something that offers good durability but that doesn’t restrict your hand movement, especially when doing fiddly jobs.

You’ll need gloves that are breathable to prevent your hands getting sweaty but it’s also imperative that the gloves are waterproof; as we all know, gardening can be a wet and messy job! If you’re going to really be getting stuck in to spiky plants like when you're pruning roses look for gloves that are slightly longer to protect the forearms as well.

3 Hand trowel

There is nothing quite as versatile and useful in the garden as a hand trowel. These small tools are certainly one we all need and can be used for things like digging out weeds and planting small flowers and herbs.

You must ensure that you source a durable hand trowel especially if you’re going to be digging in tougher soil or that which contains a lot of rocks or clay. It can also be useful in these conditions to have a hand trowel whose end is pointed as opposed to square. Although for potting soil and other delicate materials a lightweight hand trowel would be sufficient.

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If you’re like me you’ll have four or five hand trowels in your toolbox. Not quite one for every day of the week but plenty to cover every eventuality.

4 Garden fork

Garden forks come in one of two sizes; hand held or full sized. Each has the same function and can help to turn over soil but the latter would be used for more large-scale jobs. You’ll find this tool essential when it comes to digging up stubborn weeds or for times when you need to break up compacted soil.

While many may assume that a spade would be sufficient for these jobs, a garden fork excels thanks to the prongs which can easily pull up rocks and other debris. While these forks do come in various materials, steel is often favoured thanks to its toughness, durability and resistance to weather.

5 Watering can or hose

Tending to your garden would be impossible if it weren’t for the watering can or hose; after all, your plants need a drink and cleaning tasks become easier with these tools. A watering can or hose becomes even more important during the summer to ensure that your garden doesn’t dry out.

You’d opt for a watering can for bedding plants, containers and other small areas whereas a hose allows you to tackle larger jobs. That said, if you really want to kit out your garden tool shed then we’d definitely suggest buying both, especially since they aren’t expensive.

6 Loppers

Loppers are a type of cutting tool that are similar to pruning shears but the difference is the length of the handle. Loppers have a much longer handle and this allows you to trim plants in hard-to-reach places. Sure, you could use a ladder or overstretch but this is fraught with danger.

They come in different sizes usually between 16 and 36 inches but the types are the same as the pruning shears; anvil or bypass so be sure to choose those that are suited to your needs. As well as further reach, loppers are usually stronger and so will cut through more dense or thick branches than pruning shears and are better for more heavy-duty work.

7 Spade

Every gardener needs a space because they are so versatile and will help you to lessen the strain of more demanding tasks. If you need to dig a hole, lift sod, edge your lawn or move piles of dirt from one place to another, a spade is an indispensable tool.

You’ll typically pay a little more for a spade than other tools but if you purchase a high quality one, it can last you a lifetime so it’s a decent investment. Look for features like a tread on the blade for extra comfort when pushing down and a solid handle made from hardwood. You’ll also find that a stainless-steel blade offers much greater durability.

8 Hoe

A hoe is a useful tool for cutting out weeds as well as preparing your garden and flower beds for planting. They usually come with a long handle for ease of use, but you will need to think about the style you choose compared to your needs.

Depending on the type of garden you have, you may need one of two different types of hoes. If you have a perennial garden then you need to be a little gentler when working with it so a thin hoe will work better. On the other hand, if you’re working in an allotment or veggie patch, you’ll likely fare better with a sturdier and wider hoe.

9 Rake

A rake isn’t a tool that you might use as frequently as others but it is, nonetheless, just as important. Used for general garden maintenance, your rake will come in handy when the autumn leaves begin to fall. It’ll help you remove them, and other debris from your lawn or spread mulch, preventing it from being starved of sunlight. It’s also great to remove thatch and moss from the lawn.

You will need to think about the material of the rake compared to your lawn. If it features steel tines then this might damage a delicate lawn so plastic tines should be favoured.

10 Wheelbarrow

All of those hand tools cannot be carried around the garden together but if you have a wheelbarrow or garden cart, it suddenly becomes much easier. But these tools offer far more versatility than just moving tools around the yard.

A good quality wheelbarrow will last years and will allow you to move things like mulch, compost, soil, grass, gravel and much more. You will need to think about several things such as the number of wheels, the material of the tub and the weight capacity but we have a handy guide on choosing a wheelbarrow that tells you everything you need to know.

Of course, you can have all the garden tools in the world but without plants they’re redundant. Stock up on plants, shrubs and ornamental trees for the new planting year by visiting Direct Plants.