Garden Tools and Gifts
my favorite tools for the garden and the greenhouse
What are the 20 most common gardening tools? Here’s my list of essentials which I have gathered over the years.
Gardening doesn’t require a lot of equipment. Some soil, sunshine, and a little water make a garden. But there are definitely tools which help make the work of gardening easier, more comfortable, and more fun. I’ve gathered my favorites together here. There are items here whether you are working in your own garden and are looking for some suggestions or looking for a gift for an avid gardener in your life. Gardening gifts are the best — and if you pulled together a few of these gardening gift ideas you would have a wonderful gift basket!
A helpful hint: I have multiples of many gardening tools. I keep some on my potting bench and another set in The Greenhouse. This way I never have to hunt for my tools — well, at least in theory.
Some of my favorite gardening hand tools hanging in my greenhouse
Must Have Garden Tools
Barebones Living sent me a box of their gardening tools. I LOVE them! Here’s why!
My Best Gardening Gift Idea
If you are looking for a gift for a gardener and don’t want to read any further: this is it. I love this Haba bug hotel kit! I gave it to several people at Christmas time. It is easy to assemble — for kids or adults, — attractive, and it makes any yard more wild-life friendly.
If you have been around awhile, you’ll know that I am working hard to make our yard more inviting to pollinators and other wildlife. One way to do this is to provide places for solitary bees to lay their eggs and for other insects to rest by building bug hotels.
Ok. Don’t really stop here! Keep going! There are a ton of other great ideas!
Gardening books make one of the best gifts for gardeners — or for yourself! Be sure to buy good ones, though. Monty Don is amongst the best gardening writers out there!
Great Gardening Books
During the winter months, reading about gardening can help keep the urge to garden soothed. Many gardening books are beautiful to look at but lack solid, science-based advice. However, Monty Don’s books — The Complete Gardener, in particular — are fabulous reads which are based on the best gardening practices. I can’t recommend them highly enough! Every gardener should have a copy of The Complete Gardener for reading and for reference. His other books and television shows are filled with helpful advice and practices as well. I’ve written more about Monty, as his loving British public knows him, here.
If you are gardening in Colorado or in the Rocky Mountains, I also have found two books which are helpful as well. They are specific to this region — and there are area-specific gardening guides for every zone imaginable. Check with your local Master Gardener program for recommendations for your area.
My gardening apron hanging in the Greenhouse. I made this one, but cross-back aprons are easy to find. Look for something that is washable as it will get dirty!
Clothing
I confess: when I am doing hard work in the garden, I am a hot mess. My standard uniform includes black yoga pants and a t-shirt. But protection from the elements is important. And not every day is a hard work day. I love a good cross-back apron and made one for myself to use when I am just popping out and want to keep my clothes clean. Waterproof shoes are a must, too! And I’ve recently discovered the joy of arm sleeves — protection for days when I’m wearing short sleeves, but have to tangle with something itchy or need a little protection beyond my sunscreen. And a good hat — every gardener needs a good hat to keep the sun off both the face and the neck.
I use my trugs constantly — for a wide range of tasks.
Gardening Tools
There’s a lot of carrying, schlepping, and toting in hard garden work. I am a big fan of the flexible trugs and have several in two different sizes. Sometimes they are deployed for weeding, for mixing up potting mix, harvesting vegetables, watering flowers — the uses are endless! There are fancier, more specific totes, too, but the trugs are my go-to.
The Best Gardening Carts and Wagons
When we started our gardening and landscaping work at our house, we invested in two carts: the green and the black Gorilla Carts. They have been used and abused, and they can take it! We use them for everything from hauling plants and soil to hauling rock and gravel. And the dogs get an occasional ride in them, too. If I could only have one, I would choose the black dump cart. It’s a little more flexible. However, I have not regretted having both of them at all.
I am frequently asked: What is a good gift for a gardener? A really good watering can is a great start. Choose something made from steel for outside watering or copper for inside work.
Watering Solutions
I’ve written more about ollas here, but they are a great time and water saver in gardens big and small. And having the right watering can for the job makes keeping those plant babies — inside and out — ALIVE a lot easier!
If you’re a gardener you know how critical good gloves can be! They make a great item in a gardening gift basket, too!
Gardening Gloves
I wear gardening gloves for almost any task. And I have two different kinds. I like leather gloves for heavier work and for anything that may have thorns. But I also like the nitrile gloves for digging in the dirt and potting up plants — I can feel more and have a better sense for what I am doing when wearing them. If you are looking for a gift for a gardener, new gloves are a good choice — they do wear out, so a new pair is always welcome!
Gardening tools, handthrown pots, and a great pair of loppers all make great gardening gifts for mom or any gardener on your list.
Hand Tools for Gardening
Good hand tools are essential for gardening. From sharp snips to quality trowels and weeders, each of these tools will be well-deployed in a garden or greenhouse. Whether you are gardening in pots on a terrace or working a large garden patch, a good tool makes all of that work easier.
Solutions for Gardening after Dark
Gardening After Dark
My solution for gardening after the sun goes down WITHOUT electricity: lanterns from Barebones. Read more!
Larger Gardening Tools
If you are working in a larger space, having the right tools helps make everything easier. I have several tools made by Ames, and I’ve been impressed by their design and quality in particular. It’s worth paying for quality: good grips, steel working ends, and solid handles. There’s nothing more frustrating that a tool that breaks in the middle of a job!
Whether you are looking for a gift for a gardener or looking for tools for yourself, I hope these suggestions are helpful. Gardening truly is a simple hobby, and many of these tools can be found at second-hand shops and garage sales, too, if you look. But having the right tools for the job makes gardening more enjoyable and easier, too.
Happy gardening!
May your garden flourish and bring you lots of joy!
