Best Tools for Gardening
As a professional gardener, the right tools are everything. They make your job easier, and professional gardening tools offer greater speed, accuracy, and efficiency. After all, nothing is more rewarding than a satisfied customer with a perfectly pruned garden. So whether you are building your first gardening tool kit, expanding an existing kit, or simply updating your knowledge of the best professional gardening tools, this guide is for you.
Types of Gardening Tools
There are two main categories of gardening tools: hand and power. Hand tools are your typical garden equipment, and they are not powered by anything other than yourself, i.e., manual labour. Power tools are often used for larger areas and jobs requiring something other than good old-fashioned elbow grease. Let’s discuss these in more detail.
Gardening Hand Tools
Hand tools are used in almost every aspect of gardening, from weeding and pruning to digging and potting. Therefore, the hand tools every gardener should own are:
| Tool | Purpose |
| Trowel | They are used for digging small holes and breaking up soil and are especially popular when potting and planting. |
| Spade | They are used to break up large areas of earth, turn over borders, and edge lawns. |
| Secateurs | Used for cutting back stems and branches to promote new growth. |
| Hand Fork | It used to break up and turn the earth into smaller areas. |
| Rake | They collect leaves and other debris from grass, borders, or flower beds. |
| Shears | Used to cut larger stems, branches, hedges, or stray plants. |
| Hand Cultivator | Used to turn the soil and dig up weeds in smaller areas. |
| Grubber | Used to remove roots without disturbing the plants around them. |
Gardening Power Tools
Power tools are a gardener’s best friend when it comes to those heavy-duty tasks. These include:
- Lawn Mower: used for freshly cut lawns and those sought-after Wimbledon lines.
- Strimmer: used to cut back long grass and keep edges neat.
- Hedge Cutter: a quick and easy way to keep those hedges in check.
- Leaf Blowers: blow away leaves, grass clippings and other unwanted debris.
Landscaping vs Gardening – What’s the difference?
You may have heard the term landscape gardener, but what’s the difference between gardening and landscaping? A landscape gardener is involved in all design aspects, from the initial groundwork and layout to the final arrangements and finishing touches. A landscape gardener, however, would rarely be involved in the actual potting and planting. This is where a gardener would come in. They would take over all aspects of maintenance, growth, and development in order to see the garden flourish to its full potential.
Best Landscaping tools
When the hand tools just aren’t cutting it, it’s time to bring out the landscaping tools. These include:
- Chainsaws are ideal for cutting through overgrown areas, tree felling, removing large branches, and cutting down tree trunks.
- Shovels and spades: for breaking up and moving large amounts of soil.
- Border Forks: with a longer handle than a hand fork, a border fork enables you to break up and easily turn over soilease in larger areas.
- Pruning Saws: ideal for cutting back large branches and shrubs too big for secateurs to handle.
- Garden Rake: An extension of the hand rake enables you to cover a larger surface area.
- Garden Power Tools: As mentioned above, these are for those jobs requiring something extra.
Tips for buying professional gardening tools
While it’s always nice to grab yourself a bargain, it’s worth remembering that gardening equipment is an investment. Good professional gardening tools can last a lifetime with proper care. Plus, if you want the best results, then you deserve the best tools, so with that in mind, let’s run through some helpful tips on what to look out for.
- Stainless steel is one of the best metals for work. It offers maximum strength and durability, plus it’s virtually rustproof, so it will stand the test of time.
- Invest in forged handles. There’s nothing worse than a trowel snapping beneath you just as you are about to turn over the soil, therefore this is less likely to happen with forged handles. This means the equipment is crafted from one piece of steel, making it much tougher than those that are not.
- Stick to brands that you know. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is, but a reputable brand is tried and tested.
- Buy the right tool for the job. Using shears over secateurs could result in chopping off more than anticipated, resulting in a sparse space rather than a beautiful border in bloom.
- Time is money. Don’t waste your time or hard-earned cash on equipment that may snap, split, or bend under pressure. It will only hold you back and put you out of pocket, as you will have to replace cheaper goods. Therefore, investing in quality pieces is both time-consuming and cost-effective.
How to care for your professional gardening tools
As tempting as it may be to down tools and leave after a busy day, it’s worth noting that your tools can last a lifetime with a little care each day. Follow these simple steps to keep them at their best:
- Always remove any excess dirt to avoid any build-up of soil etc.
- Clean regularly with soapy water.
- Keep them sharp, as blunt edges and blades will only slow you down.
- Store them in a dry place, especially with wooden items.
- Prevent rusting by wiping over metal with a wire brush.
- Protect your tools from moisture by sealing them with an appropriate oil.
Best Sellers
FAQ
What should I consider when choosing garden power tools?
- Size of the garden: Larger areas may need more powerful tools, like gas-powered lawnmowers.
- Type of task: Electric or battery-powered tools may suffice for light maintenance, while gas-powered ones might be needed for heavy-duty tasks.
- Comfort and ease of use: Consider weight, noise levels, and ergonomics.
- Budget: Gas-powered tools are more expensive but offer more power for large gardens.
- Maintenance: Gas tools require more maintenance than electric or battery-powered ones.
Are battery-powered garden tools as powerful as gas ones?
Gas-powered tools were once considered more powerful, but modern battery technology has significantly improved. Many battery-powered tools offer comparable performance for light to medium tasks, though gas tools are still better for heavy-duty jobs.
What are eco-friendly options for garden power tools?
Cordless (battery-powered) and corded electric tools are considered more environmentally friendly because they do not emit fumes like gas-powered tools. Look for tools with energy-efficient designs or those that use rechargeable batteries.
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