Nothing like digging in the dirt! Besides the joy of watching your little plants thrive, gardening has many mental and physical benefits. But like any other chore, you’ll get things done much more efficiently and quickly with the right tools. Whether you’re pruning shrubs, planting annuals and perennials, or designing a vegetable garden, there are a few must-have items such as: hand tools for planting, pruning shears for pruning shrubs, a watering can and/or a hose, and digging tools such as a spade if you are planting large perennials, shrubs or trees. A sturdy pair of gardening gloves is also essential.
After you’ve checked everything off your to-do list, be sure to give your gardening tools some TLC so they last longer. Before storing them, rinse them and let them air dry. If they start to rust, clean the metal with steel wool or a wire brush, then apply a light coating of silicone spray or a product such as WD-40. Sand the rough edges of the wooden handles, then rub them with a little linseed oil to prevent the wood from becoming brittle. It’s also best not to store shovels or other metal tools pointing down in the garage on concrete, which can dull the blades, so hang them up or store them in a tool cart in a corner of the delivery.
How We Chose the Best Gardening Tools
We enlisted the help of a gardening enthusiast to write this story, and she independently researched the best gardening tools on Amazon, choosing this list from her own field tests and with the help from thousands of Amazon reviews.
Our top picks
Best Secateurs
Bypass pruner
Fiskars
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Best Garden Tub
Soft tub
tubtrugs
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best garden hose
Lightweight garden hose
water law
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best garden shovel
Root Killer Shovel
Garden of the department
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Best cultivator
Extendable Handle Cultivator
Crown
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Best Secateurs
Bypass pruner
- Reasonable price
- Lifetime warranty
- Some say it’s hard to cut dead wood
These pruners, which can cut branches up to 5/8 inch thick, are invaluable for trimming shrubs and trimming perennials. The non-slip grip feels secure in the hand, and they’ll take a lot of abuse in the garden. With over 28,000 reviews, it’s a solid tool that will last for years.
- Flexible and easy to transport
- Cleans easily
- Can tear if you use a shovel in it
Sometimes you just don’t feel like getting out the garden cart or wheelbarrow. This flexible tub is the solution for weeding, harvesting vegetables, or transporting perennials or mulch around the yard. You can even use it to carry water to plants. They come in three different sizes, but the 10 gallon version is the most versatile. Reviewers love that all you have to do is hose them down after use.
best garden hose
Lightweight garden hose
- Weighs less than traditional pipes
- Lead-free fittings
If you’re tired of lugging a heavy hose around the garden, this lightweight version, available in several different colors, is a joy to handle. It comes in 4 sizes from 25ft to 100ft, with the 25ft weighing just over 2 lbs. It’s also made in the USA and is safe for drinking water (if you want to take a sip while you’re in the garden!). Reviewers appreciate the ease of use due to its slim profile.
best garden shovel
Root Killer Shovel
- Ergonomic handle
- Wide foot placement area
It’s so painful to have to cut the roots when trying to plant trees and shrubs or flower beds. This shovel has serrated edges to cut through stubborn roots. Reviewers say it is excellent for digging in hard ground.
Best cultivator
Extendable Handle Cultivator
- Lightweight
- Back save as it extends your reach from standing
- Channel sometimes difficult to lengthen
This extendable handle cultivator is similar to a mini rake. It’s especially useful for weeding between rows in raised beds so you don’t have to step in and compact the soil. Reviewers love how you can reach under shrubs and between plantings without crawling on your knees.
Best kneeling pad
Kneeling pad
- Thicker than many others on the market
- Some users say it’s too firm
- Gravel tends to get stuck in it
No, it doesn’t feel good to kneel on the hard floor. This pillow is also oversized at 18 x 11 inches, and it’s extra thick (1.5 inches). Reviewers say the bright colors make it easy to find in the garden.
Best Leaf Balls
leaf shovels
- A low-tech way to speed up cleaning
- Too fragile for heavy, wet leaves
Leaf cleaning is never much fun, but these wide scoops help you grab bigger clumps. It is an inexpensive tool for spring or fall cleaning. Critics say they speed up the process.
Best Garden Shears
Micro-tipped pruners
- Ergonomic shape
- Fits in tight places
- Sometimes difficult to lock
Whether you’re cutting flowers for a bouquet, dead plants, or thinning seedlings, the fine tips of these shears fit easily between stems and leaves for precise cuts. According to many reviewers, these shears are the gardening and houseplant tool you didn’t know you needed.
Best Digging Knife
digging knife
- Two different edges for cutting
- super sharp
- The blade does not extend the full length of the handle
Use this stainless steel digging knife to cut perennials, dig up stubborn weeds or plant bulbs. Made in Japan, it comes with a leather case for safe storage.
best garden trowel
14 inch trowel
- Rinses easily thanks to the V-shape
- Robust feel and performance
- Handle too small for large hands
This 14 inch long trowel with beveled edges is perfect for weeding, digging deep holes for bulbs or general planting tasks. Made in Iowa, this stainless steel trowel withstands a variety of soil types, from sand to clay. Critics rave that it seems nearly indestructible.
Best Lightweight Leaf Rake
Telescopic metal leaf rake
- Adjustable length and width
- Only for light cleaning
- Sometimes the lever doesn’t hold
This rake adjusts so you can weave between shrubbery for spring and fall cleanups. Reviews say it is compact for storage, convenient for removing leaves from shrubs.
Best Loppers
Ratchet Anvil Telescopic Loppers
- Some users say they are too heavy
Do you have trees? Sometimes you need more than a small hand pruner to remove branches. These extend to reach higher and the rubber grips hold them firmly in your hands. Reviewers say they cut through large branches with ease thanks to the ratcheting action.
- Reasonably priced set of three
- Ideal for people with arthritis
- Some users don’t like the big handles
A transplanter, cultivator and trowel make this a handy set for almost any planting task. The handles have a wonderful, sturdy feel and the cast aluminum heads won’t rust. Critics say they last several seasons.
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