5 Essential Gardening Tools

Growing your own fruit and veg is a hobby that has great health benefits, whilst also giving you control over what extras you are adding to your plate. Having access to an edible garden whenever you need it means you can get creative with your meals, grab a healthy snack when you’re peckish, or simply add extra flavour to any dish. Whatever the size of your space or whether you’re a beginner or expert, you can easily create your own garden full of edible goods. Here is a list of the essential tools you will need to bring out your green fingers this summer.

Curved Trowel
The curved trowel is a staple item needed for any form of gardening, but is especially handy for cultivating your own fruit and veg. Whether you are growing small crops and herbs in your home, or planting raised beds and hanging baskets in the garden, this small yet sturdy tool is a necessity in your garden tool set. They are great for potting flowers into containers, digging holes in your borders, weeding in smaller areas, transplanting veg crops and more! It’s a tool you simply can’t do without.

Top tip: Opt for stainless steel tools as these are easier to clean and are therefore a less messy option if you have an interior garden.

Watering Cans
No garden can thrive without this vital piece of equipment – no matter the size of your space. A mini watering can means the job of daily watering your plants growing inside is a simple and quick task, for example they make access to your indoor herb garden easy while minimising spillage. A regular sized watering can is recommended for larger gardens to save you refilling frequently. Don’t forget to add different attachments to your can, too! The spout is perfect for administering a large amount of water at once, yet a rose attachment will allow a rain like sprinkle method that is softer on flower heads.

Top tip: Invest in an outdoor water butt so that you are filling up your watering can from an eco-friendly, natural source!


Secateurs
A pair of secateurs will hugely aid you in tending for and trimming your plants to prevent them from overgrowing as well as allowing for improved growth of new buds. There are two main types of secateurs – the anvil and bypass. The anvil has one sharp blade that cuts down on a flat metal block and is best for cutting back dead wood. The bypass has two sharpened blades so is perfect for chopping shoots and getting a cleaner cut. Both varieties are fine for pruning though, so just ensure you get a size that suits you.

Top tip: For larger projects like hedges and privets you may want to invest in a pair of shears.

Garden Hoe
The garden hoe is the ideal tool for any gardener, and with a long handle, you can be reassured that your back is saved whilst performing those tedious weeding tasks. Garden hoes have a long sharp blade that when pressed and swept directly under the weeds helps to remove them and their roots from your lawn or borders, preventing re-growth.

Top tip: Hoeing weeds when the soil is dry will help prevent new weeds from germinating as the soil movement provides a soft ‘dust’ layer.

Digging Fork
A staple in any garden shed, the digging fork is an essential tool for preparing the soil in your garden. You can use it to turn over the earth and create a softer surface to plant new seedlings, as well as carefully harvest your fully-grown potatoes. If you have compact or rocky garden soil, it’s no match for the digging fork – its long and pointed tines will break up the ground beneath it with little struggle.

Top tip: Cleaning and removing excess dirt after every use with warm soapy water will prolong the lifespan of your tools and prevent rust from forming.

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