Must-Have Hand Tools for Your Yard and Garden
Spring is just around the corner. Before we know it, the birds will be chirping, flowers will poke their heads up through the dirt, and trees will start turning green. If you’re anything like me, you’re already looking out at your yard with anticipation, excited about all the gardening days to come. You’re probably also making a mental list of tools you’ll want to get this year.
Whether you want to freshen up your garden shed with some new tools, or you’re starting your tool collection from scratch, the options for hand tools seem endless. Here are the basics for what you’ll need in any backyard or home garden.
Hand Pruners
Sometimes called “shears” or “snippers”, your hand pruners are your best friend. I keep mine in my pocket so I have them handy at any moment. Use them to prune shrubs, deadhead bulbs, and cut back perennials after they’re done blooming.
There are a few different kinds of hand pruners, and they each serve a slightly different purpose. Bypass pruners have a wide blade that easily cuts woody material. The blade is also curved to avoid other branches so you prune only the branch you want. Pruning snips have a straight, narrow blade, perfect for deadheading or cutting away dying leaves without damaging the healthy growth.
Loppers
Use loppers to cut thicker wood, like tree branches and larger shrubs. The “rule of thumb” is to use your loppers for anything wider around than your thumb. Anything smaller - use your hand pruners.
Loppers come in several sizes, each rated for cutting different thicknesses of branches. For the casual gardener, a 24-inch lopper should be just fine. If you have some serious tree branches to cut back, try one around 30 inches.
Trowel
Your trowel is your essential transplanting tool. Use it for digging a small hole in the ground, carefully moving potting soil from the bag into a pot, placing the plant into its new home, and even measuring hole depth.
Transplanting trowels are typically narrower than a regular trowel and have inches and centimeters marked on them for measuring the depth of a hole. The narrow blade makes it easier to gently place a young seedling into its new home in the ground or pot.
Gloves
While not strictly a tool, gloves are a necessity in any garden or yard. They keep your hands (mostly) clean and dry while digging in the dirt, prevent blisters from your loppers, and keep your hands from getting scratched while pruning shrubs.
I like rubber-coated gloves best. The snug fit allows for dexterity while handling delicate flowers. Meanwhile, the rubber palm keeps the mud out and the knit back keeps your hands cool. Many gloves in this style use latex, but there are non-latex options, too.
If you’re looking for something a bit more heavy-duty, check out these leather gloves. They still have a breathable back, and the leather is better for working with woody plants. Bonus, they have a cool floral design, and they’re touchscreen compatible!
With all the right tools in your belt, you’ll be ready for an excellent year of gardening. More importantly, you’ll be able to invite all your friends over to show off your beautiful yard!
