The Best Tools for Starting a Backyard Garden
Starting a backyard garden is one of the most rewarding things you can do- having the best tools for starting a backyard garden makes all the difference. I started Gardening and I found I didn’t need tons of tools, I just needed the correct ones. With a small set of essential tools you can handle planting, watering, weeding and harvesting a garden easily.
In this guide, I will walk you through the best tools for beginners. This way you can build a growing and thriving backyard garden without wasting money on tools you don’t really need. I attended master gardening classes for my area. The first thing experts taught us is we only need a handful of core tools to handle most gardening jobs.
The 5 Best Tools
#1. The Hand Trowel (this will be your #1 tool)
Best for: Planting, digging and transplanting
A hand trowel is the most-used tool in any garden. It’s perfect for:
- Digging small holes
- Planting seedlings and seeds
- Removing weeds
This is considered one of the. most versatile tools for beginners.
#2. Pruning Shears
Best for: Trimming plants, harvesting
Pruning shears help keep your plants healthy by:
- Cutting dead growth
- Shaping plants
- Harvesting vegetables and flowers
Regular pruning improves plant health and growth and can prevent mold and rot.
#3. Garden Gloves (This could be in competition for #1, I never garden without them)
Best for: Protection
Don’t skip this tool, it’s important, Gloves protect your hands from:
- Cuts and Thorns
- Blisters
- Dirt and Bacteria
Gloves are essential to any gardener.
#4. Garden Hose and a good Nozzle
Best for: Watering Efficiently
For larger yards a hose with a nozzle is a must.
- A Garden Hose can cover more area than a watering can
- adjustable spray settings
Watering tools are critical. furthermore all of your plants rely on regular water specifically to grow. So, a reliable way to water is imperative for your garden.
#5. Watering Can
Best for: Precision watering
Perfect for:
- Seedlings
- Small beds
- Indoor plants
A watering can with a long spout helps to deliver water precisely where needed.
More Tools you will Need
#6. Garden spade or shovel (has a rounded end)
Best for: Digging and soil preparation
You will need this for:
- Turning Soil
- Digging Holes
- Creating Garden Beds
For these reasons, garden spades are one of the most important tools for preparing soil.
#7. Garden Rake
Best for: Leveling soil and clean up
- Remove Debris
- Smooth Soil
- Prepare planting areas and smooth dirt after planting
#8. Hoe
Best For: Weeding and soil cultivation
- Break up soil
- Control weeds
- Create planting rows
The Hoe is a key tool for maintaining a healthy garden.
Advancing your Garden Tools
A wheelbarrow or a garden cart will help you move soil and mulch, plants, flowers and vegetables. A wheelbarrow will also save your back.
A Hand Cultivator will make it easier to loosen and break up soil and works wonders in raised garden beds.
A Kneeling pad is a great way to save your knees from hard surfaces.
Why does this Matter?
The reason this matters is:
- Saves Times
- Reduces Physical Strain
- Helps plants grow healthier, more bountiful harvest
More tips for the new Gardener, from my own experience.
- Start small, maybe 1 or 2 raised garden beds maximum. Click on the link above to read about raised garden beds. They should be 4 x 6 or 4 x 8 feet long at a minimum of 12 inches deep.
- Let your focal point after you get your bed built be on the soil. A good mix locally is a 50/50 which means it is 50% local indigenous dirt with 50% compost.
- Don’t over-buy tools. Stick with the basics that are listed and you will be able to get started. As you garden you will notice what you need most often that you don’t have, get it.
- Upgrade as you go. For tools you started with, you get the most economical. As you garden you will notice which tools take a beating. These are the tools that will wear out first.
You don’t need an entire garage full of tools to get started gardening. Just a simple set of essential tools will handle 90% of the jobs you have in the garden. Once you get started, you will naturally discover what tools make your life easier.
Tools and Supplies
I usually get my supplies at Home Depot. Most of the plants in my flower garden came from Home Depot. I live in a very small area of Oregon and Home Depot has been there for me. Shovels, Rakes, Hoses they have it. Building materials like wood and doors, molding and insulation, they have it. Tools, decoration, cleaning, seasonal I can find it at Home Depot.
