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If you want your yard to look its best, make sure you have the right tools to do the job quickly, safely, and right. We’ve put together a list of our best garden tools, gadgets, and other gear — for spring, fall, and beyond — that will help you grow the garden of your dreams. This Best Gardening Tools will help you do a lot of weeding, which is the least fun but most important part of farming. This hand weeder is made of ash wood for the handle and stainless steel that won’t rust. The V-shaped fork tip and curved base give you more power to pull out weeds on the first try.
Best Gardening Tools Comparison Table
| Product Name | Type | Material | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| FELCO F-2 One-Hand Pruning Shear | Pruning Shears | High-quality hardened steel | $50-$100 |
| Nisaku Hori-Hori Stainless Steel Tomita Weeding Knife | Weeding Knife | Stainless steel | $20-$30 |
| Jiffy Peat Pots | Seedling Starter Pots | Peat | $5-$15 |
| Bahco Ergo Bypass Pruner | Bypass Pruners | Steel | $40-$60 |
| Roo Gardening Apron | Gardening Apron | Polyester/Cotton blend | $25-$40 |
| Fiskars Hand Rake | Hand Rake | Steel | $10-$20 |
| FISKARS XACT LARGE DIGGING SPADE | Digging Spade | Boron steel | $70-$100 |
| ARS ULTRA LIGHT PROFESSIONAL SHEARS | Professional Pruning Shears | High carbon steel blades | $30-$50 |
FELCO F-2 One-Hand Pruning Shear
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Blade Material | High-quality hardened steel |
| Blade Length | 1.9 inches |
| Cutting Capacity | 1 inch diameter |
| Weight | 8.5 ounces |
| Handle Material | Forged aluminum alloy |
| Handle Design | Ergonomic |
Don’t be scared off by the price of the Felco F-2 Classic Manual Hand Pruners. Even though they cost a lot up front, these hand pruners have a guarantee that lasts a lifetime and last about as long and the Best Gardening Tools. We tested these pruners in a backyard garden and found that they were perfect for cutting through branches and bushes with a width of up to an inch. The Felco F-2 has blades made of hardened steel, a handle made of forged aluminum, and an orientation that can be changed.
The shock-absorbing pads on the rubber handle keep farmers from getting hurt. We did find that the F-2 pruners are made for people with bigger hands, but the F-6 is made for people with smaller hands. Users with joint problems may like how the F-7 and F-8 pruners’ handles can be turned and are made to fit their hands. The sap slot was also a great way to keep the blades from sticking together.
The Good
- Durable, high-quality blade material
- One-handed operation makes it easy to use.
- Ergonomic handle design for comfortable use
- Suitable for cutting branches that are thicker
The Bad
- Compared to other pruning shears, they cost more.
- People with smaller hands might not be able to use it.
Nisaku Hori-Hori Stainless Steel Tomita Weeding Knife
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Blade Material | Stainless steel |
| Blade Length | 7 inches |
| Weight | 10.9 ounces |
| Handle Material | Wood |
Even though there are cheaper garden knives on the market, the Nisaku Japanese Hori Hori Digging Tool is worth the extra money because it has a strong, 7 1/4-inch stainless steel blade that easily cuts through the dirt. We found that the Hori Hori was very good at pulling up even the hardest weeds. Its sharp edge made it easy to cut through the roots. It can also be used to do light planting, split flowers, and move small plants because the blade has both a straight and a jagged edge.
Because it has depth marks on the blade, it can also be used to plant spring and summer bulbs. We liked this knife overall, and we can see why it costs more than other options on the market. However, we were disappointed by its handle. It’s basically square, which makes it hard to hold on to for long periods of time and dangerous if you’re working in dirt that is especially hard or rocky. But this tool is definitely worth buying if you don’t like pulling weeds out by hand and would rather use a tool instead.
The Good
- Versatile tool for weeding, digging, and planting
- The stainless steel blade is sharp and strong.
- Wooden handle is easy to hold.
- It comes with a leather case for keeping it safe.
The Bad
- Compared to other gardening knives, this one is heavier.
- After a long time of use, the blade may need to be sharpened.
Jiffy Peat Pots
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Peat moss and wood pulp |
| Size | 3 inches in diameter |
| Quantity | 50 |
According to Sears, using a plantable container when beginning seeds inside helps to mitigate the stress that the plant experiences when it is transplanted and protects the plant’s roots from being damaged.
According to the manufacturer, you can start your seeds indoors in Jiffy Peat Pots, which are produced from organic peat. Once the plant is ready to be moved outside, you can plant both the pot and the plant in the ground at the same time.
The Good
- Material that is good for the environment and breaks down quickly helps roots grow well.
- Can be planted directly in the ground Convenient pack size for starting many plants
The Bad
- Peat pots may dry out more quickly than other pots.
Bahco Ergo Bypass Pruner
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Blade Material | High-quality hardened steel |
| Blade Length | 2 inches |
| Cutting Capacity | 0.75 inch diameter |
| Weight | 7.4 ounces |
| Handle Material | Aluminum |
| Handle Design | Ergonomic |
These pruners, which are very comparable to the Felco #6 option, are great for cutting weeds, stems, and branches. According to DeVito, the Bahco Ergo Bypass Pruner is yet another fantastic alternative.
The blades are made of carbon steel and coated with Xylan, which is a sort of coating that, according to the manufacturer, helps prevent rust and reduces friction. According to the information provided by the brand, the upper handle also features a soft grip cover for added comfort.
The Good
- Durable, high-quality blade material
- Ergonomic handle design for comfortable use
- Locking system that is easy to use
- It can be used to cut small to medium-sized branches.
The Bad
- Not strong enough to cut through thicker branches.
Roo Gardening Apron
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Material | Canvas |
| Number of Pockets | 9 |
| Length | 32 inches |
| Width | 23 inches |
Do you require some assistance with the garden? Put on this apron and smock combination that comes with a pouch that may hold a variety of items, including small tools, seed packets, work gloves, and more.
The Roo Apron can also hold vegetables that have been gathered or weeds that have been plucked. When the bag is full, cut a hole in the bottom of it and either allow the vegetables to fall out onto your table or empty the weeds into the compost pile and the Best Gardening Tools.
The Good
- There are many pockets for storing tools and gardening supplies.
- Canvas that is strong and long-lasting
- Straps that can be changed for a comfortable fit
- It keeps clothes from getting dirty while gardening.
The Bad
- May be too big for some people to handle.
- Not many color choices
Fiskars Hand Rake
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Tine Material | Hardened steel |
| Tine Length | 5.5 inches |
| Width | 3.9 inches |
| Weight | 5.6 ounces |
| Handle Material | FiberComp |
This hand rake is ergonomically intended to decrease hand and wrist fatigue when cultivating. It is ideal for loosening soil, eliminating weeds, and aerating soil, and it also works well for aerating soil.
The cast-aluminum head of the tool is rust-resistant to ensure that it will last for many years of usage, and the tool’s sharp tines make it simple to dig through thick dirt.
The Good
- The hand rake is small and light, so it is easy to use for long periods of time.
- The three tines are made of hardened steel, which makes them strong and durable.
- Even if you use the rake for long periods of time, your hands won’t get tired because of the Softgrip handle.
The Bad
- The tines aren’t very long, which can make it hard to pick up a lot of dirt or trash in one sweep.
- The hand rake is not the best tool for tough gardening jobs like digging or breaking up hardened soil.
FISKARS XACT LARGE DIGGING SPADE
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | Fiskars |
| Item Weight | 3.75 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 3.15 x 9.65 x 45.67 inches |
| Material | Steel, Plastic |
| Blade Length | 11.4 inches |
| Handle Length | 37 inches |
| Handle Material | FiberComp |
| Grip Material | Softgrip |
You might not think there’s much to a pair of secateurs, but buying a cheap pair at the cash register in a garden shop can be a very expensive mistake if they hurt your hands or are hard to use. The innovative spinning handle on these Felco secateurs makes them the best of the bunch. It is said to cut the amount of work needed to prune by a third, which reduces the risk of tendonitis.
You can also be sure that the blades are up to par. They have a toothed center-nut that helps them line up and anvil blades that Felco says make a “clean and precise cut.” It was even voted “best tool of its kind” by the Good Design Guide, and we’re likely to agree.
The Good
- This spade is great for tough gardening jobs because it has a big blade and is made of strong steel.
- The Softgrip handle makes it easy to hold, even for long periods of time.
- The long handle is great for people who are taller because it helps them stand up straighter and puts less strain on their backs.
The Bad
- Some people may find that the spade is too heavy and hard to use for long periods of time.
- Because the blade is so big, it may be hard to use in tight spaces or around plants that are easy to damage.
ARS ULTRA LIGHT PROFESSIONAL SHEARS
| Specification | Description |
|---|---|
| Brand | ARS |
| Item Weight | 2.4 ounces |
| Product Dimensions | 8 x 2 x 1 inches |
| Material | High Carbon Steel |
| Blade Length | 2 inches |
| Cutting Capacity | 0.6 inches |
| Handle Length | 6 inches |
| Handle Material | Plastic |
| Grip Material | Softgrip |
Reviewers say that ARS’s Ultra Light Professional Shears are well-balanced, the right size, well-made, scary sharp and the Best Gardening Tools. Let’s go into more detail. These shears aren’t cheap, but people who have used them say they’ll change your mind if you’ve only ever used cheap blades.
The pipes are made with an ergonomic shape to keep your hands from getting tired. The high-carbon steel blades are perfectly sized for strength, and the long handles make it easy to cut. Reviewers also said they were surprisingly light, so if you have a big yard and need to cover a lot of ground, these might be a good choice.
The Good
- These shears are easy to use for long periods of time because they are light and have a soft handle.
- The sharp blades made of high-carbon steel make cutting easy and accurate.
- Because the shears are small, you can use them in small gardens or to trim bonsai trees.
The Bad
- Because it has a small cutting capacity, it might not be good for branches or stems that are thicker.
FAQs
A trowel, pruners, a watering can or hose, gloves, and a hand rake are the most important tools for a beginning gardener. For bigger jobs, you can also use a spade and a cultivator.
Wood is a good material for tool handles because it is strong and easy to hold. Other popular materials include metal and plastic, but they might not be as comfortable to hold for long periods of time.
Even though regular tools can be used to prune plants, pruning shears or hand pruners are better because they are made to make clean cuts that won’t hurt the plant.