1. Hand Trowel
A hand trowel is a small tool that is essential for planting, transplanting and potting. Look for one with a sturdy connection between blade and handle, and a comfortable grip on the handle to avoid hand fatigue and give you optimal control.
2. Secateurs
Also known as a pruning shears, pruners or clippers, a garden secateurs is a very useful hand tool around the garden. You will need it for trimming and shaping plants and shrubs and for removing dead growth. A high quality secateurs will last a very long time, stay sharper for longer, be able to take thicker branches, and be more comfortable to use, so it is worth investing in a good one.
3. Hoe
A garden hoe is essential for cultivating your soil, edging your lawn, and countless other gardening tasks. This versatile garden tool comes in several varieties but a regular Dutch or Draw hoe will meet most gardeners’ needs. You will find it highly useful when preparing beds for planting and weeding.
4. Rake
A rake will allow you to remove stones, rocks and clogs from the ground before planting. It is also used for levelling and smoothing the surface of the soil, or for gathering debris such as leaves and weeds. You may find you want to add a few varieties of rakes to your collection to suit different needs most comfortably, for example a lightweight, fan-shaped rake is ideal for covering large areas when sweeping up leaves, and a heavier duty bow rake will be most suited to dealing with stony ground.
5. Saw
Shrubs and trees will need shaping and pruning from time to time, not to mention those woody weeds like briars that will need to be tackled too. A bow saw will see you through most of the heavier cutting tasks in the garden; when a secateurs just won’t cut it!