A look at the essential gardening tools and equipment

A wise man without a book is like a workman with no tools. The same goes for gardening. Having the right tools and equipment for the job can make a world of difference. That’s why we’ve prepared this handy guide for essential gardening tools and equipment.

Combine the essential gardening tools with these secret gardening tips

Why are the right gardening tools important?

Having the right tools for the job is important. The same goes for gardening. With the many jobs around the garden, there’s a range of tools and equipment that can help.

Here are some of the main reasons why the right tools are important:

• - Greater precision and efficiency.
• - Improved safety.
• - Keep your plants healthy.
• - Better weed control.
• - Be creative in your garden design.

 

As with any tool, it’s important to look after them. Not only does it mean your investment lasts longer, but regularly cleaning and caring for your gardening tools improves their performance.

Over time, secateurs or shovels can become blunt. Blunt tools make the job so much more difficult. This is why you should also regularly sharpen blades and ensure the metal is oiled periodically to prevent rust damage.

After use, it’s also important to safely store away your gardening tools and equipment. Storing in a cool, dry place prevents weathering effects from damaging your tools. It also makes them much easier to find next time. Storing in a shed, storage box, or cupboard is recommended.

Discover how to properly and effectively sharpen gardening tools.

Essential gardening tools and equipment

Now that we’ve covered the importance of having the right tools and how to look after them let’s look at the essential gardening tools and equipment.

Gloves

A pair of quality gloves is one of the very first items every gardener needs. Whatever job you do in the garden, you’ll use your hands. This is why buying a strong, quality pair of gloves is important to protect your hands.

Whether pruning roses, digging soil or removing weeds, you can’t go far wrong with a pair of gardening gloves. Multi-purpose gloves are recommended for working in all seasons and weather.

Secateurs

secateurs (or pruning shears) are another essential gardening tool. Every plant will require pruning or tidying at some time or another. Some handy secateurs are ideal to do a clean job and avoid damaging the plant. Similar to scissors, secateurs are designed for use in the garden to make pruning easier.

Secateurs will be one of the handiest gardening tools you’ll have. However, these tools also need the most care as they can easily spread diseases. Cleaning them after use and always keep them sharp and oiled.

Loppers

You’ll require something more efficient and stronger than secateurs for harder-to-reach areas and thicker branches. Loppers are an ideal gardening tool for this task.

Similar to secateurs, Loppers are long-handed pruners that provide greater leverage for cutting. Typically, loppers can cut a thickness of up to an inch. Different lengths and materials are available depending on your requirements.

Hand trowel

A hand trowel is another essential gardening tool and can be used for many gardening jobs. Plant potting, hand weeding, and seed sowing are all gardening jobs made easier with a hand trowel.

Hand fork

A hand fork can also come in handy in the garden. This tool can break up compacted soil, including clay soil. Such soils are notoriously compact, so a hand fork can make it much easier to loosen any tight, stony ground.

Watering can

Plants need water to survive, especially young seedlings just starting to grow. However, excessive watering can waterlog the soil and affect root function. The same applies to houseplants. That’s why using a watering can over a jug is preferable. A little sprinkle of water can help keep your plants happy.

Spade

A spade is another essential gardening tool for digging and planting. Whether for planting flowers or for use in a vegetable garden, a garden spade will be your best friend. Remember to keep it clean and sharpen the end occasionally.

Fork

A fork is another essential gardening tool you should consider and is perfect for those with a vegetable garden to loosen the soil. Using a fork on vegetable plots and borders makes planting much easier, especially with stony soils. You can also use the back to break soil clods.

Hoe

If your garden has many weeds, a hoe may be just the tool you need. It’s the perfect tool for skimming weeds easily and quickly. No more removing them all by hand. You can also use a hoe for shaping soil, clearing soil, and harvesting root crops.

Dibber

A dibber is an alternative to using a hand trowel to dig a hole for planting. A dibber creates a neat, tidy hole in the soil ready to plant seeds, bulbs, or small plants. These pointy garden tools provide much greater accuracy.

Rake

Breaking down the soil so it is fine enough for seed sowing requires a rake, so this is another essential gardening tool to consider for your garden. You can also use a rake to tidy up lawn trimmings and fallen leaves.

Wheelbarrow

A wheelbarrow is a trusted partner for heavy lifting and moving items around. It’s essential if you regularly move heavy items, soil, or many plants frequently. It can help you save time and remove the risk of injury from heavy lifting.

Broom

Gardens require sweeping from time to time. Whether it’s leaves, dirt, or grass, a quality broom can help keep your garden tidy. Brooms with sturdy bristles can also be used for scrubbing moss.

Lawnmower

Anyone with a lawn in their garden will need a lawn mower. Lawns require regular mowing in the warmer months to keep them tidy and in good condition. A lawnmower is essential for giving your lawn a weekly or bi-weekly cut.

Kneeling pad

Planting in soil beds at ground level will require you to get down on your knees. However, this can become uncomfortable and bad for your knees over the long term. To avoid causing knee, joint, or spine trouble, consider investing in a quality kneeling pad to protect yourself.

How many of the above tools do you regularly use? If there are any essential gardening tools and equipment above that you don’t yet use, it may be time to consider them. The right tools can make gardening much easier and more pleasant.

You can find all the above gardening tools, plus much more, in-store at Hilltop Garden Centre. Our wide range of gardening products, tools, and equipment have you covered for all your gardening tools. Come and browse our full range today and improve your gardening efficiency for a healthier, blooming garden.