The 8 Gardening Tools You Should Know

Over 1,600 have used this trowel from Wilcox All-Pro, and it’s east to identify why it has so many glowing reviews. The 16-gauge stool is not only incredibly durable, but also lightweight for easy maneuverability when you’re in the dirt. It has a very sharp point for getting into the earth, and the plastic handle is comfortable in the hand.

This affordable trowel from Corona has a comfortable handle fitted with a ComfortGel grip to reduce hand pain and fatigue. The grip has a finger guard and thump grip to prevent slippage when in use, and the depth gauge gives off-the-cuff measurements so you know exactly how deep you should be digging. The trowel even has an integrated bag ripper to make it easier to cut into that tough-to-open bag of soil.

A rusty trowel is almost every gardener’s worst nightmare. The Ergo Garden Hand Trowel from Fiskars comes fashioned with a polished aluminum head that keeps rust at bay while remaining sharp for durable for years of use.

The all-steel design of this spade makes in incredibly strong and durable. The sharpened blade is exactly that: sharp, so it’ll easily cut through whatever you throw its way. The extra-large D-shaped handle is comfortable to hold, and the whole spade is ergonomic to use.

With its 25-year warranty, this Pedigree spade should be with you for quite some time. It was tested withstand 200 pounds of bending, and the treads on the top of the blade protect your shoes when you use your body weight to apply pressure.

Reviewers of the Kobalt Steel Garden Spade applaud how strong the blade is for cutting through lots of stubborn grass or other organic materials. It has a comfortable handle, important for those doing hours of garden work, and those who have used it find it to be lightweight and the perfect height.

These super-affordable reusable work gloves are coated in blue latex to protect your hands while the gloves themselves are made of sweat-absorbing cotton. Because these come in a pack of 12, you can afford to lose some or keep a pair in every nook of your home. 

Duluth describes these work gloves as giving “second-skin dexterity,” which basically means you have the same nimbleness as if you weren’t wearing gloves. The nitrile coating offers grip, while also protecting against little pricks.

With maximum protection against punctures, these gloves are for heavy duty garden work. The gloves have triple-layer protection, the front is slightly tacky for grip and the back is breathable. While the gloves are stiff upon first use, subsequent wears will help soften it for future comfort.

The Fiskars Leaf Rake has a 24-inch head  with patented curved tines to grab more debris with less likelihood of clogging. Its aluminum handle is lightweight, yet the rake itself manages to stay strong and durable — enough so that Fiskars offers a lifetime warranty on the rake.

For those tight on shed space, Garrett Wade’s rake can collapse so it takes up less real estate. Easily adjust the rake between three feet and five feet, and adjust thee 15 steel tines so that they’re as close together as seven inches or as spread out as 22 inches. 

Loosen and level soil ease with the lightweight True Temper rake. The fiberglass is a breeze to wield, especially with the non-slip cushion end grip, and the 16 tines make garden work like a charm.

You’ll break ground easily with this shovel thanks to its industrial-grade, tempered steel, which the brand says makes penetrating the ground twice as easy. The top of the blade features a large “PowerStep,” so you can really drive the shovel into the ground.

This budget shovel is fairly barebones, but all you need to know is it’s 45 inches long, has a tempered-steel blade and comes with a sanded-hardwood handle.

This Craftsman shovel’s fiberglass handle keeps it lightweight, which may make you surprised at home strong it is thanks to the tempered steel blade. The handle has a cushioned end grip for comfort, and the shovel is backed by a 15-year warranty. 

Cut with ease using these plant snips from Burgon & Ball. They have stainless steel blades that are resistant to rust, and the handle is comfortable to hold. 

With the Fiskars Carbon Steel Bypass Hand Pruner, you get a razor-sharp pair of pruners that stay sharper for longer with less resistance that comparable options. A coating reduces friction and resists rust, making for easier cutting through sappy branches and leaves.

These Japanese pruners are common among gardeners in Japan, and one may scoff at the high price tag, once you get a pair in your hand, it all makes sense. It has excellent action and offers precise cuts. From looks alone, it’s a worthy addition to the tool heap.

This commercial-grade hoe from Bully Tools features a hard-working, long-lasting 12-gauge steel that is thicker than you’ll find on most garden hoes. A lightweight fiberglass handle and foam grip will ensure that your arms don’t get tired or sore.

The beveled blade edge of Craftsman’s hoe gives users cleaner cuts, and it’s an ideal choice for those who don’t want to spend too much on an easy-to-use and efficient garden hoe.

This made-in-Japan hoe is a reworking of a design that’s been used by Japanese gardeners for centuries. One end of the blade meets at a curved point, and accompanied by the short handle, the natural swinging of the arm pulls the blade towards the body as it digs into the soil.

The four-tined fork from Razor-Back is a barebones gardening tool that gets the job done. The handle is made of wood with a D-grip handle.

Backed by a 15-year warranty, the spading fork gets the work done with its forged head, super-sharp tines and comfortable-to-hold handle.