Best Basic Gardening Tools for Beginners

I decided I want to learn to garden and was clueless when it came to gardening tools for beginners.  Until now!

I’ve been toying around with the idea of starting a garden but didn’t know where to begin.  After countless hours of research, I’ve decided to create a series of articles tracking my gardening experience.  First, let’s chat about what tools you’ll need!

Best Basic Gardening Tools for Beginners

Below are basic gardening tools to have on hand to start your garden.

Let’s Go Gardening Tool Shopping!

I love to be prepared when starting a new hobby – and I love to shop.  But before I shop, I always research what is needed and where I can find the best options around!

Gardening Gloves

I couldn’t believe how much fun I had finding gardening gloves.  There are so many different styles, colors and designs to choose from.  I had to hold myself back buying more than 2 pairs, although I think I could’ve found gloves to match just about any gardening outfit out there!

Pruning Shears

There are a few types of shears to choose from.  Pick the pair that best fits what you are gardening.

Garden Fork and Rake

Garden forks are used for turning soil, whereas weeding foils are used for – weeding.  Pick the fork based on your soil – there are different tines based on soil, usage, etc.

Below are a few to choose from!

Rakes are used to sweep away leaves and other debris that land in your garden,  They range is size and style.  This will be the first time I am going to use a rake since living in the northeast in the fall.

Hand Trowel and Spade

Hand trowels are used for planting and transplanting plants and weeding.  The trowel width you choose is a matter of personal preference, though certain widths are better for specific jobs. Garden trowels can also have flat, curved or even scoop-shaped blades.

Hand shovels are also known as spades are a must-have.  Use these handy tools for digging, loosening and lifting sod.  Spades are sometimes confused with shovels.  The difference is that the space is for digging, and the shovel is for scooping. You can tell by the angle in between the handle and blade of a shovel while the spade not as straight from handle to blade.

Hoe

A hoe is a garden hand tool used to cultivate the soil and remove weeds. Did you know that the hoe is an ancient tool that predates the plow?

Garden Hose and Nozzle

I was amazed at how many cool colored hoses are out there!  Garden hoses are a staple for any garden.  They come in a variety of lengths (and colors as mentioned before!).  Another accessory that isn’t mandatory but more so helpful, is a hose holder.  We have one that makes it super easy to reel back into neatness.

Note that hose length will affect water pressure, the longer the hose the lesser the pressure.

Would you believe that there are so many different types of nozzles out there?  Below are some options.

The gardening expert at Home Depot also recommended a watering wand.  The extended reach is also helpful to get to out-of-the-way containers, hanging plants, or the back edges of borders. Watering wands come in a variety of lengths, from 10 to 48 inches.

Watering Can

Once again, another gardening accessory that has dozens and dozens of options out there.  Forget the boring plastic versions.  I found watering cans that are borderline gorgeous…ones that you wouldn’t mind leaving out on the countertop for display.

Kneeling Pads

Think about kneeling on the hard ground for a few hours at a time?  Kneeling pads were created for just this reason – and there are so many options to choose from (even personalized!).

Raised Garden Beds

I am going the route of raised garden beds for my gardening experience.  South Florida is, unfortunately, not known for great soil.

Raised garden beds allow for you to choose the soil you’d like to use, and not have to worry about what the ground has in store.

Gardening Organization at its Finest

You have all of the tools needed to start your garden, but how are you going to organize and store your tools?  Organization is my strongpoint, so of course I had to dig in and find the best options!

Gardening Aprons

Playing in the dirt can get your clothing dirty.  I love to dress for the occasion and had a blast finding some super cute aprons to protect my outfit, and look cute in the process.

Hats are also a must to protect yourself from the sun (plus that sunscreen you applied before going outside).

Tool Sets for the Win!

I am loving the tool sets I’ve found.  One thing you need to make sure of is quality though, when it comes to the sets.

The best time to plant a vegetable garden where I live (South Florida) is September, so I am going to begin my gardening hobby with flowers, herbs and succulents.

What do you garden or plan on gardening?  I’d love to know!