As the weather gets warmer, homeowners start to think about their lawns and gardens. Of course, to keep your outdoor space in tip-top shape, you’ll need some tools. The world of landscape tools can be a bit overwhelming though, especially if you’re new to it. If you’re just getting started into home landscaping, you might feel overwhelmed with just how many tools you’ll need to do some basic yard care maintenance and gardening.

Over the years you’ll probably accumulate many handy tools for tackling different projects, and you’ll eventually need a shed to store them all inside, but let’s get started with some top basic tools that will make gardening easier. So, to help ease the process, we’ve compiled a list of eight essential tools that will make your life easier.

Garden Gloves

When you’re working in your yard or garden, a good pair of garden gloves, can protect your hands from dirt, scratches from branch trimming, and blisters from raking. Wearing gloves will make your work more enjoyable and reduce the risk of injury. If you’ve ever raked your New England yard in the fall, you know what I mean about getting blisters between the thumb and first finger. Especially if you get a blister before the job is done. Ouch!  And besides, it also saves you from ants or spiders biting your hands when you’re digging in their world. Garden gloves are a smart choice all around.

Lawn Rake

If you’re living in a climate with seasonal changes, like New England, a rake is an essential tool. It’s perfect for sweeping leaves or debris off your lawn, or for collecting grass clippings after mowing. Hands down you need a rake whether it’s spring clean up or fall and even during the summer when you think you’ve cleaned up your yard, and then all the pine trees lose their pine needles around pine pollen season, and bam you have to rake pine needles for three more weeks.

Pruning Shears

Pruning shears are used to cut flowers or trim back bushes and branches. They come in handy when you want to maintain the shape of your bushes and trees, and they are a must-have if you want to keep your plants healthy. Most plants, shrubs and trees should be pruned back in the spring, but cutting back plants especially perennials will need to be cut back come fall. You’ll love how easy it is to cut branches with pruning shears.

Loppers

Loppers are similar to pruning shears but have long handles that help you reach branches that are too high to reach with a regular pair of pruning shears. And the blade can cut through a branch that’s one inch or slightly bigger. Handles are available from 16- 36 inches. They are great for keeping a decent shape for all your small -medium bushes and trees. Larger trees you’ll need a tree trimmer with a pole saw to tackle bigger trees like maples and oaks. Loppers can handle most plants within your reach.

Spade

A spade is a handy tool to cut through roots, dig up soil, or create a trench. It’s useful for creating new garden beds or for transplanting plants. And if you want to edge out an old garden bed or a nice tight circle around a tree, a spade works great. Just cut into the grass line a few inches from the older edging and make it look like a fresh new bed. If you’re doing any planting of small trees or bushes, or pulling lawn to make a garden or patio, a spade is a good choice.

Hand Trowel

This small tool is great for planting small pots, moving plants, or digging out a small area. It’s perfect for precision planting and small jobs. If you’re into planting annuals and creating planter pots for around your yard and deck, then the hand trowel will be your most essential tool. Choose a handle that is comfortable for your hand size and a steel blade is much stronger than a plastic blade, which works for using potting soil without roots. A steel blade will last a long time and be your work horse for planting.

Wheelbarrow Or Wagon

If you’re doing a lot of yard work, a wheelbarrow or wagon is essential for hauling plants, dirt, or debris. It’s much easier to load up your garden waste and transport it to your compost pile or the trash bin with one of these tools. There a lot of choices for pull wagons with large wheels that are perfect for hauling new plants from your car to the backyard without having to make several trips. In a pinch, you can use a winter plastic shed with a rope handle, you can easily dig up some plants, throw them on the sled and drag them to where you want to replant.

Garden Hose

Watering is essential for maintaining a healthy garden. A garden hose with an adjustable nozzle lets you control the water pressure and avoid overwatering or underwatering your plants. Decide what hose length you will need to reach all your flowers, the longer the hose the less water pressure you will get. Vinyl hoses are less expensive, lighter weight but kink easier and don’t last as long as rubber hose construction. Always make sure you drain all the water out of your hose after shutting off the spigot and coil it up without kinks to keep the hose in top shape through out the summers high heat.

Conclusion

With these eight essential landscaping tools, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle any project in your yard or garden. Remember that investing in quality tools now will save you time, money, and effort in the long run. By taking good care of your tools and storing them properly in a shed, they will last for years to come. Happy gardening!