With so many garden tools available in stores, it can be overwhelming to know which ones are truly useful. Over time, I’ve tried a lot of tools that seemed promising but ended up collecting dust in my garage.
However, the tools I’m sharing here have proven their worth and have become essentials in my gardening routine. I rely on them regularly, and they always find a place in my gardening tool belt.
Here are seven gardening tools that have consistently saved me time and energy throughout the year.
Hori Hori Knife
The Hori Hori gardening knife is an essential tool for new gardeners, combining versatility and ease of use in one sleek design. With its sharp, serrated edge on one side and a straight edge on the other, this Japanese knife is perfect for digging, weeding, planting and even dividing perennials.
Its sturdy blade allows for precision and control, making it ideal for navigating around delicate roots and plants. The comfortable handle provides a solid grip, ensuring you can work efficiently in your garden. Whether you’re tending to flower beds or vegetable patches, the Hori Hori is a must-have companion for cultivating your green thumb!
Hand Pruner
A good hand pruner is an invaluable tool for any new gardener, offering numerous benefits that can enhance your gardening experience. Firstly, they allow for precise cuts, making it easy to shape plants and remove dead or damaged branches, which promotes healthy growth. Their sharp blades minimize damage to stems, reducing the risk of disease.
Quality hand pruners are also designed for comfort, with ergonomic handles that reduce strain on your hands and wrists during extended use. Lightweight and portable, they’re perfect for tackling everything from trimming herbs to shaping shrubs. Investing in a good pair will not only make your tasks easier, but also lead to a more beautiful and thriving garden!
PVC Pipe with Funnel
This tool is ideal for planting in rows or individual spots, and it helps reduce strain by allowing you to plant while standing, without needing to bend or kneel. It’s especially useful for small or delicate seeds that need precise placement.
Here’s how it works:
The tube is typically about 3-4 feet in length, providing enough reach so you can stand upright while planting. The diameter of the tube can vary, but it’s generally wide enough for seeds to pass through easily, around 1-2 inches in diameter.
At one end of the tube, there’s a funnel attached. The funnel is wider at the top, making it easier to drop seeds into it without them spilling. The narrow bottom of the funnel leads directly into the PVC tube. You place the bottom of the tube where you want to plant the seed in the soil, and then drop the seed through the funnel. Gravity guides the seed down the tube and into the hole in the ground.
Gardening Fork
A gardening fork is a hand tool with a short handle and several sturdy metal tines (usually 3 to 4). It’s used for digging, loosening soil, turning compost and aerating the ground. The tines help break up tough soil or remove weeds without damaging plant roots. It’s versatile and easy to use, making it a must-have for new gardeners to prepare soil and maintain garden beds.
CobraHead Weeder
A CobraHead weeder is a small hand tool that looks like it has a curved metal hook at the end. This hook, or “claw,” is great for digging up weeds, especially the ones with deep roots. You simply dig the claw under the weed and pull it out.
It’s also useful for loosening soil or planting seeds in tight spaces. Its shape makes it easy to use, even for beginners, and it helps you remove weeds without too much effort.
Dibber
A dibber is a simple gardening tool with a pointed tip, usually made of wood or metal. It’s used to poke small holes in the soil for planting seeds, bulbs or seedlings. For a beginner gardener, it’s very handy because it helps you make the right-sized holes quickly and evenly, ensuring your plants are spaced properly. You just press the dibber into the ground to the depth you need, then drop in your seed or plant. It’s great for getting your garden started efficiently!
Swivel Hoe (or Oscillating Hoe)
A swivel hoe, also called an oscillating hoe, is a gardening tool with a flat, sharp metal blade that swivels back and forth as you push and pull it through the soil. It’s designed to easily cut weeds just below the soil surface.
For a beginner gardener, it’s great because you can quickly remove weeds with little effort by gliding the hoe over the soil. The moving blade makes it easier to work around plants without disturbing them. It’s perfect for keeping your garden beds weed-free!
All of these tools have made gardening tasks much easier by reducing the physical effort needed and speeding up the work. They also add a bit of fun by making tricky jobs, like weeding or planting, more efficient and satisfying, so you can spend more time enjoying your garden instead of struggling with tedious chores.
Videos are for reference only.
Ben Armlin is a Huckleberry Circle resident and Sunset 1 garden ambassador.
