Whether You’re a Beginner or a Pro, These Are The 18 Essential Gardening Tools You Need (2024)

This collection of hand gardening tools makes a great gift for any beginning gardener (or for yourself).

It includes a pair of gardening gloves, a hand trowel, a gardening fork, a transplanting tool with a sharp point, a small weeder, a hand cultivator (to loosen and aerate soil before planting), and an 8-ounce spray bottle to mist seedlings and container-grown plants.

The included storage tote features a separate pocket for each tool so you can easily grab what you need, as well as space inside for a water bottle or any other gardening tools or supplies you want to carry around the garden with you.

The set is stylish enough to make a good gift, yet very practical too. The tools are made of high-quality wood and anti-rust coated steel; the handles feature an ergonomic design to help prevent your hands from getting tired as you work.

The bag includes elastic straps above each pocket to help hold the tools securely. A bonus pocket on the back of the bag is perfect for stashing your sunglasses, a phone, bags to collect weeds, and measuring tape; plus, the bag is washable, too.

Keep in mind that this set does not include long-handled tools, so you will need to purchase those separately.

Product Details: Material: Various | Size: 5 x 7 x 10 inches (for set) | Weight: Various

This tool was originally invented in 1913, but it stopped being produced in 1941 so that all available metals could be put to the war effort. Luckily for us, the tool was rediscovered in 1999 and is now being produced and sold again.

To use this simple tool, you just center the fork over the weed, press it into the ground, and then lean on the handle to remove the weed. This system lets you weed without hurting your back or knees, and it’s an easy way to remove dandelions and other weeds, roots and all.

The weeder works in all soil types, but it is easiest to use after a good rain or after watering since you need to be able to push it into the ground. The head was redesigned in 1999 to make it stronger, and the bamboo handle ensures it will be long lasting.

Weighing just 3 pounds, it’s easy for most people to hold and use, but we recommend working the ground after watering or a rainstorm for looser soil. If you want to control weeds without using chemicals, this is a handy tool to have in your toolbox.

Product Details: Material: Bamboo and powder-coated steel | Size: 46 x 8 x 1.5 inches | Weight: 3 pounds

Gardening gloves can help protect your hands from scratches and blisters while gardening, and this pair is versatile enough to help you with a variety of gardening tasks all season long.

The gloves’ synthetic leather fingertips provide good grip when you’re holding gardening tools, and the stretchy spandex between the fingers and on the body of the glove adds breathability and extra comfort on hot summer days.

An adjustable hook and loop wrist strap allows you to customize the fit and make the gloves feel more secure. Reinforced seams at common wear points add durability, and the padded palm enhances comfort, especially during repetitive chores, such as raking and digging.

In addition to offering good protection for all types of gardening chores, these gardening gloves offer a few extra features as well. They’re easy to clean—you can just throw them in the washer if they get dirty.

Plus, they are touchscreen compatible, so you don’t have to take your gloves off every time you need to reach for your phone while gardening. Also, the glove’s thumb features a terry cloth strip to help you wipe away sweat while you’re working.

The gloves are currently only available in one size (medium), so they may not fit especially small or large hands.

Product Details: Material: Synthetic leather, spandex | Size: One size (women’s medium) | Weight: Not listed

One of the best tools to always have within reach while you're gardening is the versatile garden trowel. Made of heavy-duty 16-gauge stainless steel, the Wilcox All-Pro hand trowel is nearly unbreakable and won’t even bend if you hit a strong root. Yet, it’s very lightweight, so it’s comfortable to use for long periods of time.

This model is 10 inches long, but a variety of lengths are available, from 9 to 22 inches. The fine point on the 10-inch trowel is more precise than other models in this line and many other trowels on the market, which makes it a good choice when weeding or digging around existing plants. It works especially well for tending to sedums and sempervivums, both of which have shallow roots and need to be carefully lifted when transplanting.

A depth gauge (listed in both centimeters and inches) is stamped on one side to help you determine the correct depth for planting. The plastic handle includes ribbings and grooves to allow for a more comfortable positioning of the hand.

In addition to gardening, the trowel can also come in handy when camping, hiking, and hunting. Really, it’s hard to find anything to complain about with this trowel—as an added bonus, it’s even made in the USA.

Product Details: Material: Stainless steel | Size: 10 x 2.5 inches | Weight: 7.2 ounces

There are several different types of garden shears available, but bypass pruners are probably the most useful for daily gardening tasks. When it comes to these hardworking bypass pruners, Felco seems to have carefully thought through every detail of the design to ensure many years of use, making the pruners worth the price.

With a 1-inch cutting capacity, these shears are great for trimming rose bushes and woody perennials. The Anvil blade features a sap groove to prevent sticking. The cutting blade with a soft wire cutter is replaceable if needed, ensuring you can keep using these bypass pruners long into the future. The bolt and nut are easily adjustable so you can customize blade alignment if you wish.

Forged aluminum handles are strong but lightweight; they’re covered with a red plastic coating to add comfort and help make sure you don’t lose the pruners in the garden. A rubber cushion with a shock absorber where the blades come together helps reduce the strain on your wrists as you work.

Product Details: Material: Steel and rubber | Size: 9.25 x 4 x 1 inches | Weight: 8.8 ounces

Sometimes it can be hard to decide whether to buy a spade or a shovel. The Spear Head Spade Garden Shovel lets you have the best of both garden tools in one.

It features a design that lets you dig dirt like a shovel and cut through roots or dig a trench like a spade. Now you don’t have to choose between the two—or purchase two different tools. Keep in mind, though, that the blade on this tool is smaller than a traditional shovel, so you won’t be able to move as much dirt in one scoop.

The blade on this Spear Head shovel is made of durable carbon manganese steel. The tool comes pre-sharpened, and the epoxy powder coating is designed to wear away around the edges first so the sharpened edge will continuously be revealed and grow sharper as it is used.

This shovel/spade features a fiberglass handle that’s both strong and lightweight. The cushioned D-shape grip adds comfort and has UV inhibitors so it will stand up to any kind of weather. Maybe best of all, the tool is designed to reduce effort when digging into heavy, rocky, or compact soils.

Product Details: Material: Steel and fiberglass | Size: 40.25 x 8.25 x 1.5 inches | Weight: 3.64 pounds

This watering can features a stylish design—plus a lot of great features that make watering your flowers, vegetables, and containers easier. Made of lightweight but sturdy plastic, this watering can holds about 1.5 gallons of water. It features two handles so that you can use two hands to pour the water if the watering can is too heavy when full—a handy feature for kids as well as older adults.

The spout swivels 360 degrees to allow you to choose just the right spray for your needs; rotate the sprinkler head up for a gentle shower, rotate it down for a harder spray, or remove the sprinkler head for a stream of water. The long spout can help you get the water right to the plants’ roots, without getting water on leaves.

The top opening for water is large enough to easily add water, but small enough to prevent a lot of splashing when moving it around. A cap on top also helps prevent splashing and keeps critters out of the watering can when it’s not in use. You’ll want to keep a close eye on the cap, however, because it can have a tendency to fall off when you’re using the watering can.

The overall design of the watering can is simple, but its clean lines and long spout make it stylish enough to be kept on display between waterings.

Product Details: Material: Plastic | Size: 1.5 gallons, 10.6 x 11 inches with a 16.1-inch spout | Weight: 1.57 pounds

When most people think of a garden hoe, they likely think of the full-size version, but a handheld hoe can be one of the best gardening tools to have on hand as well. The Edward Tools Hand Hoe is a great mini-size hoe to help with precise weeding, moving dirt, and planting in small flower beds or raised vegetable gardens.

It’s made of heavy-duty carbon steel so it won’t bend or break, plus the powder-coated finish helps to resist rust. It’s sturdy enough to work well even in hard or rocky soils, although it should be noted that the hoe doesn’t have a sharpened edge so it won’t slice through especially tough roots.

The ergonomic rubber grip and anti-skid handle ensures this tool is safe and comfortable to hold, even if you’ll be working for hours in the garden. Although it’s not a large enough hoe for big gardens, it’s a very handy tool to have nearby for small-scale gardening since it’s both lightweight and sturdy.

You likely won’t need to replace it anytime soon, which is pretty amazing considering its surprisingly low price point. It’s hard to find a better bargain than this.

Product Details: Material: Carbon steel, rubber | Size: 13.98 x 4.37 x 2.36 inches | Weight: 9 ounces

Bow rakes are good for loosening or breaking up compacted soil and spreading mulch, compost, and other materials. Of course, they can also work for raking up leaves. This rake features super-sharp teeth to dig into any type of soil.

The L-shape design of the blades helps them dig deep into the dirt and cut weeds below the soil, making the rake helpful for weeding as well as spreading mulch. If you don’t have a ton of leaves to rake up, this may be the only rake that you need in your yard and garden.

A protective rubber sleeve on the handle helps prevent splintering and makes the rake more comfortable to hold for long work sessions. A riveted socket helps prevent the head from separating from the handle.

This rake has a 54-inch handle, which works well for most users, and it’s lightweight, weighing only 2.84 pounds. The handle is made of fiberglass, a material that’s both strong and lightweight, while the blades are made from carbon steel with a chip-resistant coating for strength and durability. Keep in mind that the handle is smaller in diameter than a traditional rake, which might not be everyone’s preference.

Product Details: Material: Fiberglass and carbon steel | Size: 59.5 x 14 x 3 inches | Weight: 2.84 pounds

A hand cultivator is a great tool for aerating the soil, weeding, and breaking up the ground before planting. And the DeWit Tine Cultivator is strong enough for your toughest jobs (and any soil type), thanks to thick steel times with sharpened tips that can easily cut through the soil.

The ergonomic P-grip handle is flexible enough to allow it to bend a little without breaking; its design helps increase leverage and decrease the stress on your hands and wrists. Plus, its design allows you to use it with one hand or two as needed.

This hand cultivator is more expensive than some, but it’s built to last a lifetime so you won’t need to replace it any time soon.

It’s made from hardened boron steel that has been heat-treated to add extra strength. The handle is made from ash wood that is harvested from environmentally responsible FSC-certified forests. And although the handle and tines are very strong, the tool is lightweight, so it’s easy to use for an extended time.

The longer-than-average handle gives you a little extra reach to tackle hard-to-access spots, although that can also make it feel a bit bulky when working in very tight spots.

Product Details: Material: Steel and ash wood | Size: 16.5 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches | Weight: 9.6 ounces

This soil knife is a multifunctional tool that may soon become your favorite tool in your collection. It features a serrated edge, as well as a slicing edge so you can use it for a variety of tasks around the garden. The serrated edge works especially well for cutting through tough roots.

The 6-inch blade includes a notch to help you cut twine or plant ties, and it features measurement markings to ensure you plant spring bulbs at the correct depth. The blade is made of high-quality stainless steel to ensure it will stand up to the elements as well as all your chores.

We also love that the knife features a bright orange plastic handle to make it easy to spot if you accidentally lay it down in the garden or in grass. (A version with a bright pink handle is also available.) The molded grip on the composite handle ensures it’s comfortable to hold for long periods of time.

This sturdy knife promises to last for many years; it comes with a lifetime warranty and the manufacturer says that it withstands more than 300 pounds of pressure. The notch for cutting twine is a handy feature, although you may want to wear gardening gloves to avoid any accidents.

Product Details: Material: Stainless steel | Size: 1.75 x 0.75 x 11.75 inches | Weight: 9.1 ounces

If you’re a beginning gardener, you may think you don’t need a kneeling pad, but experienced gardeners know that it’s one of the best gardening tools to have nearby for keeping you comfortable while you work.

This 1.5-inch kneeling pad is extra thick to provide maximum comfort while you’re kneeling to weed or plant. It’s made of durable high-density foam that will contour to your knees and won’t break down or compress over time.

At 17.5 x 11 inches (larger than many other kneeling pads available), this model is large enough to give you plenty of room to spread out, so you don’t cramp up while kneeling. The pad is dirt- and water-resistant, so it can stand up to rocks or gravel and can be used on damp ground. A built-in handle makes it easy to carry it around the yard as you work.

An added bonus: This kneeling pad is available in a wide range of colors, so you can have a little fun and pick your favorite hue.

Product Details: Material: Foam | Size: 17.5 x 11 x 1.5 in | Weight: 0.75 pounds

We always love when we can get two products for the price of one—like this garden stool that can be used as a bench or a kneeler. The EVA foam padding offers plenty of cushion for your knees and makes it comfortable for sitting as well.

A steel frame ensures the bench is sturdy enough to hold up to 300 pounds. As an added safety feature, you can hold on to the handles on the sides to help you kneel or lower into the seat and stand back up if needed.

We love the fact that at just 6.7 pounds, it's lightweight enough to carry with you throughout your garden. Plus, it can be folded flat, making it even easier to carry and to store once your gardening chores are done.

As a bonus, this multifunctional bench also features a tool pouch that can hold a pair of hand pruners and a gardening spade and comes with a free pair of gardening gloves with digging tips.

Although this bench/kneeler combo is not quite as sturdy as a larger bench designed to stay in one place and it’s more expensive than a standard foam kneeling pad, it offers a lot of smart features and flexibility.

Product Details: Material: Steel frame and foam pad | Size: 23 x 16 x 11 inches | Weight: 6.7 pounds

If you have branches, mulch, or soil to move around your lawn or garden, this cart is the best garden tool for the job. With a 36 x 20-inch bed, it can hold a hefty 600 pounds and 4 cubic feet of material. We love that unlike a standard wheelbarrow, it has four wheels—so no more heavy loads that make the cart tip over as you’re trying to move it.

The cart’s 10-inch pneumatic tires are big enough to make it over rough terrain, and the quick-release dumping feature makes it easy to unload. You simply unlatch the bed from the frame and lift up on the bed to release the cart’s contents.

A padded handle provides extra comfort when you’re pulling heavy loads and tight-turn steering helps you pull it exactly where you want to unload. The tub is rust-proof so you don’t have to worry about leaving it outside in the elements.

You do need to assemble the cart, but the process is fairly easy, especially if you have a socket wrench and a friend to help. This version can’t be towed behind a lawn tractor, but overall, this is the best cart for gardeners.

Product Details: Material: Steel frame, poly bed | Size: 20 x 19.5 x 38.7 inches | Weight: 31.5 pounds

This tool belt offers a generous amount of space for garden tools without becoming too heavy or bulky. It’s lightweight at 9.6 ounces, and the tool belt includes several pockets for garden tools, providing enough space for a gardening knife and hand pruners.

We like the zippered pocket where you can keep your keys, phone, and other valuables safe. There is also a holder designed for a water bottle, a spot for a pen or pencil, and a loop with a snap that can hold garden tape or twine.

Additionally, there is a side pocket that can accommodate tools with longer handles. You can also attach additional holsters for garden knives or hand pruners (they just need to have a belt loop).

This tool belt is offered in just one color, so it might not match your design tastes, but it’s sturdy and practical. The regular size belt fits 26- to 48-inch waists, while the extra-large version will fit up to a 54-inch waist.

Product Details: Material: Polyester | Size: 9 x 11 inches | Weight: 9.6 ounces

If you’re looking for an apron to use while gardening, the Grace & August Gardening Apron is our top pick. Although it doesn’t offer as much space as other aprons for gardening tools, it features a generous pocket for harvesting vegetables and smart features that make it comfortable for a range of people to wear.

Available in purple and blue, this apron is made of cotton canvas with a water-resistant lining. The apron features a top bib pocket that, at 21 inches wide and 14 inches deep, is plenty big enough to hold a trowel or weeding tool.

The large bottom kangaroo-style pocket is designed with clips at the bottom so you can easily open the bottom of the pocket to unload your harvest or dispose of weeds you’ve pulled.

We like the fact that the apron is designed with shoulder straps rather than hanging around your neck. The adjustable crossover back straps help distribute the weight more evenly, and a waist tie helps you get the right fit.

It may not have as many pockets as some gardeners would prefer, but we love the fact that we can wipe the dirt on this apron and then just throw it in the washing machine when we finish our gardening chores.

Product Details: Material: Cotton canvas | Size: 27 x 34 inches | Weight: Not listed

The best garden hoses can stand up to being dragged all around your yard—especially for those hot, dry days of summer when you need to water frequently. We tested this garden hose in our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa, and it was one of our favorites.

The hose will stay flexible even in very cold temps (down -25°F) and can even be used with hot water. It’s designed to resist kinks and coils easily, so you don’t have to fight with your water hose as you move it across your yard. The couplings at the end of the hose are billed as crush proof, and the hose is also available in 50-, 75-, and 100-foot lengths.

During our testing, we found it to be very easy to use, as it was fairly lightweight even when filled with water. It earned high marks for durability, too—it held up well to being dragged across rocks, a rake, and grass.

One word of caution: our testers noted that the hose was hot to touch when it sat out in the sun, so be sure to proceed with caution or store the hose out of direct sunlight.

Product Details: Material: Rubber, brass | Size: 25 feet | Weight: 4.82 pounds

This versatile garden hose nozzle with nine different spray patterns will help you complete your outdoor chores, whether you are watering your flowers or washing your car.

It’s easy to use since it features a one-touch valve that allows you to turn the water on and off using only your thumb. Because there’s no need to squeeze the handle as other nozzles require, it’s more comfortable to use for long watering sessions and is ideal for people with limited hand mobility.

When we tested the Dramm Revolution Nine-Pattern Spray Gun, we found it easy to turn the dial and switch between the various spray patterns. We found the highest power stream setting to be quite powerful—it easily removed mud from dirty Adirondack chairs.

We also dropped the hose nozzle down a cement stairway as part of the durability testing and saw no signs of damage or any decrease in quality. Even though it proved to be sturdy, we appreciate that it comes with a lifetime guarantee.

We love the berry color, but it’s available in blue, green, orange, red, and yellow. While it is a little more expensive than other hose nozzles, it scored high for value because of its durability and ease of use.

Product Details: Material: Metal | Size: 4 x 7 x 2.25 inches | Weight: 13.6 ounces