Alex Nieora Lists Some of the Tools that Every Gardener Needs

Gardening is one of the most relaxing and rewarding activities. But not enough people do it. Whether they worry about having to care for plants, or just feel they weren’t born with a green thumb.

With a few key tools, anyone can become a great gardener.

Alex Nieora is a writer and avid gardener from Santa Clarita, California. She has also travelled widely and has lived in London, England. She outlines the top tools that every gardener needs:

Shovel

Every gardener who intends to plant anything larger than seeds or anything in hard soil needs to have a digging shovel, says Alex Nieora. Shovels of this kind have a rounded blade and an open, D-shaped handle that makes them easier to use. This kind of shovel is ideal for digging up and throwing aside large volumes of soil.

When it comes to which digging shovel to buy, you also want to make sure that you get one made out of welded steel, as this is the strongest, most durable material. Depending on soil solidity, other materials like plastic will likely not be strong enough. In addition, look for a digging shovel that has a large and comfortable step plate, as you will likely be using this feature a lot if you plan on planting numerous larger shrubs.

Pruner

Every gardener should have a pair of pruners in their tool shed at all times. Pruners are the go-to tool when it comes to removing dead flowers or cutting small stems and twigs. Ultimately, pruners are one of the most useful tools a gardener can have, owing to their versatility. However, Alex Nieora notes that most pruners are only built to handle stems up to ¾ of an inch thick, so if you want to keep your pruner in good condition, do not use them for anything larger than this.

Wheelbarrow

To make your gardening life much easier, definitely consider investing in a wheelbarrow. A wheelbarrow allows you to easily transport everything from soil and compost to firewood. You can even use it to transport your gardening tools to a different part of the yard or to soak plant roots before planting them in soil. So, if you have a large enough yard, shed, or garage to store a wheelbarrow, Alex Nieora highly recommends getting one. Her recommendation is to get a steel rather than plastic wheelbarrow. One wheel should be adequate unless you plan on doing a lot of heavy lifting.

Rake

Many people already have a rake in their shed or garage to clear drives of fallen leaves, but it can also serve but it can also be used to collect other garden debris, like mowed grass, fallen twigs, petals, and flower heads. Steel rakes are best for small yards whereas lighter poly alternatives are ideal for larger yards as you can cover more ground in a shorter period of time.

Final Advice from Alex Nieora

Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced gardener, it is important to have the right tools. Possessing this gear will make upkeeping your yard and gardening projects more enjoyable and much easier. Owning and using the right tools is also important to ensure that your garden will grow properly.