12 Essential Garden Tools for Newbies

People who are new to gardening may be apprehensive about what tools to buy. Rather than break the bank, here are some basic top tools recommended to get started, plus bonus tips for your new hobby!

1. High-quality gardening gloves (For hand protection)
2. Portable garden seat and kneeler set (For comfort while gardening)
3. Traditional trowel (Handheld shovel with curved sides for basic digging and planting)
4. Potting trowel (Wide bladed and deep curved to hold more soil/compost)
5. Transplant trowel (Narrower and sharp tipped for tight spaces and removing seedlings, bulbs, small plants)
6. Weeding trowel (Forked end that can cut through roots and dig deep to remove weeds)
7. Pruning shears (For trimming and shaping plants)
8. Mini rake with tines (For clearing dead plants/weeds or cultivating soil)
9. Cultivator (For digging & loosening/aerating soil, weeding and more)
10. Folding saw (For cutting branches and other wood materials)
11. Watering can (For watering plants)
12. A wheelbarrow (For transporting supplies)

Bonus tips for newbies:

Geared for learning:

• Before investing in tools, take gardening classes to make sure the hobby is enjoyable.
• Read books, watch videos, and visit garden centers to increase knowledge.
• Tap into the expertise of friends and family who garden. Ask them to share what they know and love about the hobby.
• If you are unsure if gardening is right for you, start small and borrow tools. Once you decide that you like it, invest in your own complete set of gardening supplies.

Geared to invest wisely:

• To minimize spending, consider buying tools in a bundle set. This may be a cheaper option than purchasing tools individually.
• Note that tool bundles frequently include carrying cases or totes to easily transport tools to garden locations as well as store them after use. This package deal can be a money saver.
• Serious hobbyists will discover it worthwhile investing in durable and rust-proof tools offering guarantees and warranties to last.
• Cheap gardening gloves are prone to ripping during initial use, whereas leather ones offer superior protection against thorns. Since leather gloves are typically waterproof, they are often well worth the splurge.

Geared to promote physical comfort/safety:

• Gardening can be challenging on the body for newbies, especially for people of mature age. Some older adults may find raised container gardening or growing plants indoors less strenuous alternatives to yard gardening.
• Know your limitations. Discuss your new hobby with your physician.
• Inquire about safe ways to bend, lift, carry and stand up from the ground position.
• When gardening solo, carry a charged cell phone in a secure pocket for emergencies.
• Stay hydrated and take frequent breaks indoors or in the shade, particularly when working outdoors in the heat.
• Make use of portable garden seats and/or lightweight foam cushions to place under your knees for comfort and support.
• When purchasing products, research first. Consider garden tools to include those with ergonomically made handles. The grip should be comfortable to fit the hand and provide ease when weeding, digging and planting – to avoid or reduce strain.

We hope you found these 12 essential garden tools for newbies article helpful. Now take our gardening quiz to test your gardening knowledge.