Garden Planting Tools

Please be advised that many links on the garden planting tools page open new windows.

Many of these items will be necessary as you are implementing your backyard landscaping design, and as you maintain what you have created. Remember, purchasing quality garden planting tools and caring for those tools properly (like putting the loppers in the garage instead of leaving it out on the lawn all night...I’ll give you one guess what I've done once or twice in the past) will ensure that you have these items for many years to come. It will also ensure that you have on hand what you need when you need it!

So which garden planting tools are really necessary? These are the garden planting tools that I use on a regular basis along with a short description of what each item is used for:

Broom – I have both a standard size, straw broom and dust pan, and a large (30”) push broom for large areas like the driveway. Don’t forget to show off your hard work by cleaning the area when you're done!

Garden Hoe – (I so badly want to make an inappropriate joke here!) Flat piece of metal off of a long handle strategically placed to allow “hacking” at weeds and undesirables in your yard. This is one of my favorite garden planting tools! It’s provides a quick and easy way to remove weeds from the garden and other landscaped areas. Simply “hack” at the base of the weed, and off it comes! It may not be a permanent solution, but definitely quick and easy.

Garden Hose – Make sure your hose is long enough to reach the edge of your property. If you need to, attach 2 hoses together. As with other tools, buy quality! Heavy duty hoses resist tangling and cracking better than their bargain counterparts. Be sure to drain all water out of your hose and disconnect from the water source during the winter, if you live in the northern climates. Any water in the hose will expand as it freezes, ruining your hose for next season.

Garden Hose Storage – I can easily use up to 125’ of hose, so I prefer a solid storage unit that allows me to wind up the hose when I’m done. Make sure your storage unit is large enough for the length of hose you need.

Garden Rake – Most people have a leaf rake in their garage, but what I’m referring to is the stiff metal, short-forked, curved rake that is used to level out soil, remove mulch or small rocks from an area, or help pull overgrown weeds away from precious plants (not that I would ever let my weeds get overgrown, of course)

Garden Shovel – Heavy metal, pointed shovel used for all sorts of things like digging large holes for plants, shrubs, trees, etc., turning over garden soil in the fall, lifting transplanted plants from one area to the other, etc. Every home owner should have one of these garden planting tools in their arsenal. I personally recommend one with a handle on top; I find this type easier to maneuver, and easier to store (item is hung by its handle).

Hand Saw – I have a standard carpenters saw in my garage that I use for cutting thick tree branches and seriously unruly weeds. (Have you seen these? Weeds out of control actually grow into small trees!) An electric saw may be a better option depending on how much cutting you’ll need to do, and how convenient you find that tool to be. Of course some folks have a chain saw in their repertoire of artillery.....but this is something I absolutely do NOT recommend! Chain saws are extremely dangerous, and reportedly cause many unnecessary accidents each year. Yes they make easy work of cutting through objects, but unless you have reason to operate a chain saw on a regular basis, and are very knowledgeable about what safety measures to take when using this yard tool, do you and your family a favor....use a hand saw!

Knee Pads – Depending on the type of gardening you do, you may not use these often, but please have them on hand! Our knees are precious indeed (you young-ins will know what I mean when you get older), and you don’t want to cause them any unnecessary damage.

Ladder - You'll definitely need to have one of these around your home for all sorts of different jobs. From cleaning out your gutters, to storing items in your garage, or washing windows. My personal favorite is the Little Giant! I'm sure you've seen this baby advertised on TV. What a great product!!! Easy to use, easy to handle, this is truly a superior ladder!

Loppers – This is a device used to cut through branches and thick root systems. Loppers are designed to handle up to a set branch thickness, and I would recommend purchasing one that can handle a minimum of 2” thick branches. I have used these types of garden planting tools countless number of times to trim branches and remove bush stumps and root systems from the ground. Buy one that is well-made, it will be well worth the investment.

Portable Sprayer – You’ll want to have a sprayer designated specifically for a weed control product such as Roundup. (There are organic options to weed control, although I have not evolved to this level yet. Weed control is the one area I still dabble in “non-eco friendly” material. I’m hoping to evolve in the near future, and will certainly keep you posted.) When selecting a sprayer, take into consideration your property and how you will use it. I purchased a gallon sprayer (not really big enough for my acre lot) that has no good way to carry it around the yard. The only handle is the pump used to prime the sprayer, so when I have it completely full with product, the handle is somewhat compromised by my carrying it around, not to mention that it’s not that easy to carry when full. I would suggest purchasing a back-pack sprayer or a sprayer on wheels so that once you are out to get the weeds, you can spray them all with ease, and put the tool neatly back in its place.

Pruners – Small cutting device used to trim plants and small branches. This yard tool makes quick work of most of your trimming jobs that wouldn’t require the power of a lopper.

Small Garden Tools – These are tools that are used for planting annuals, seeds, and bulbs. I have a small shovel, a small 3-pronged rake, and a bulb planter.

Wheelbarrow – How I love my wheelbarrow! Yet another one of the essential garden planting tools everyone should have on hand. I would recommend buying the largest one you think you’ll need for the size of your yard. This item is handy for a variety of tasks; moving soil, moving plants, moving compost, moving mulch, moving pavers, the list goes on and on. You’ll need to decide on whether to get a wheelbarrow with one wheel or two. One wheel provides greater maneuverability, but two wheels provide greater stability, and may be easier to use for a smaller person. I have a wheelbarrow with one wheel, and I have dumped heavy loads once or twice. I consider myself to be relatively strong, but I think two wheels would have been easier for me to handle. Make sure the tires are properly inflated; it will make the item work nice and smooth.

Work Gloves – Make sure you have at least 2 to 3 pairs of good work gloves on hand. Again, buy quality (not overly so, you still need to be able to move your fingers) so that they will provide you with the durability and protection you need to make wearing them worthwhile. I prefer heavy duty, leather palm gloves....men’s, heavy duty, leather palm gloves. I don’t know why this is, but so many men’s items, including work gloves, are constructed better with better materials. Ladies, do you a favor, and buy the men’s gloves!

I'm hoping that this list of garden planting tools has been helpful to you in knowing which items are truly worth while owning.

As always, happy landscaping!

Northern Tool & Equipment (opens new window), as the name implies, sells a wide variety of garden planting tools and equipment for your home landscaping projects. Follow the link to learn more.

Return from Garden Planting Tools to Lawn-Garden Tools