Starting your own garden is one of the most exciting activities you can embark on. Not many people live in homes that have gardens so be sure to cherish them and focus on the right tools to get you started. We should start by saying that there are so many different types of tools and equipment for gardening. This can be quite overwhelming and an expensive endeavor if you don’t know what you need. Here we focus on only the essential equipment that is especially important for a new gardener.

Gloves

The first piece of gardening equipment you will need is gloves because no matter how wonderful gardening may sound, it can quickly turn into a thorny hassle. Gloves will keep your hands safe from any potential harm, but most important of all, they will make gardening much more sanitary as you will encounter dirt that holds many bacteria which can be quite dangerous. Make sure you don’t pursue any gardening work unless you have a pair of gloves on your hands.

Gloves should not be too bulky and should be durable especially if you’re working with transplanting seeds. Poorly fitted gloves can cause blisters or result in accidents once they slip off (and they will). Make sure you invest in gloves that are made of fabric that is water-resistant but also very breathable. They should be stored away from water and direct sunlight, and away from any insects. Water can cause mold, the sunlight can compromise their integrity, and it’s always good to keep any insects from laying eggs in them.

Shears

Another very important piece of equipment is the hand pruners, also referred to as secateurs for pruning shears. Their main purpose is to help you cut down plants that are getting out of hand and taking over your garden. Some authors suggest that a garden can be a uniquely calming place for you to relax with your children, so any unnecessary thorny weeds should be done away with.

You can choose from many types of shears such as hand pruners, anvil-style pruners, and bypass pruners. Anvil pruners are good for removing dead wood, green stems, and even branches. Bypass pruners are much more suited for live plants and greenwood. No matter which type you choose, pruners should sit comfortably in the palm of your hand. If you need additional cutting strength, opt for more sturdy ratcheting pruners and make sure you sharpen them regularly for cleaner cuts and less injury.

Garden Knife

Another essential tool for new gardeners that ranks very high in terms of necessity is the garden knife. As almost all of the reviews of gardening tools will tell you, shears and gardening knives are two pieces of equipment that are the most versatile and the most important to own. A specific type of garden knife called the Hori Hori garden knife has its roots in Japan where it was designed to serve the purpose of a knife, small shovel, a ruler, and many other conventional tools.

It can be used to dig holes for planting, being especially good for when you are planting seeds because it allows you to measure the exact depth of the hole you’re digging. The shape of the Hori Hori knife is also very useful for transplanting as it can slide into the pot to get the plant out with ease. Furthermore, it works well for loosening soil and weeing. It usually comes with a belt holder making it even more convenient to use.

Watering Can

Owning a watering can as part of your essential equipment as a gardener is very convenient. If we were making a top three most essential gardening equipment for beginners, it probably wouldn’t cut. One of the reasons why is because you can get away with using other resources to carry water such as a simple bucket. However, using a bucket to water your plants will not allow you to be as precise, and can cause the earth to overflow if you pour it all at once.

A watering hose can help you distribute water evenly to the root which is very important for the overall health of the plant at hand. Furthermore, you can use it to rinse off any dust of the leaves without breaking it. The typical capacity of a watering can is around 2 gallons, but a smaller can be very handy if you don’t have plenty of plants, and it’s certainly much easier to lift.

Hand Cultivator

If you’re new to gardening, a hand cultivator might be the most fun part of the essential gardening equipment for you to use. There are of course a couple of different designs and styles of hand cultivators or hand rakes as they are also referred to, depending on what kind of work they are needed for. For the most multi-purpose hand rake, invest in a three-pronged cultivator that has very sturdy tines.

Hand cultivators are commonly used to clear the leaves in somewhat secluded and small spaces or to spread mulch. They are also quite handy to own for breaking up dirt, mixing in compost, and turning the soil. You can even use them to dig out weeds especially if you’re working between plants. If you’re looking at work for larger areas where a hand rake simply won’t do, you can also invest in a bow rake. These are especially handy for cleaning your lawn from leaves.

We’ve covered what kind of gardening equipment is essential for new gardeners as not to confuse the many choices on the market. We’ve also added the subtypes of almost every tool mentioned here, as well as a simple guide on how to use it. Having in mind which tools are necessary for a novice gardener, you should invest your time in reading gardening tool reviews to figure out what kind of subtype of gardening equipment will best suit your gardening needs. Remember not to start any gardening without a proper pair of gloves on your hands.