Every gardener has his or her own list of favorite essential gardening tools that you need to buy, but how do you know which ones are really needed? Here is a list of tools and their uses that will fall under the essential gardening tools that you need to buy:
* A spade. This one is pretty obvious and although a shovel will also do the trick, a spade will enable you to do more precision work especially if you can find one with a flat, narrow blade. A spade will enable you to work in smaller garden spaces, cut through roots and dig edge trenches.
* A shovel. Essential for when you want to loosen and break up soil or need to move soil and compost from one part of the garden to another.
* A hand fork. You will need one of these to lift up and loosen soil. Try to get the longer fork as well as the smaller hand fork if you will need to work in both open and confined spaces in your garden.
* A hand trowel. For transplanting plants, making holes for planting and weeding.
* A pruner and lopper. These two tools will allow you to prune leaves, dead flower heads and small stems and the pruner will allow you to cut through branches and thicker stems.
* A rake. To prepare the soil for planting and to rake away dead leaves.
* A hoe. For digging furrows, breaking up soil and to quickly remove weeds.
* Hedge Shears. To trim your flower bushes and hedges.
* A good pair of gardening gloves. Unless you want to end up with calluses and dirt stained fingernails you will need a good pair of gardening gloves.
* A garden hose. Try to find a garden hose that will withstand cold winter temperatures and if you can find one with wheels it is even better. Make sure that it is the right length by measuring the longest distance between the nearest tap and your garden with a couple of meters to spare.
* A water wand. A water want attached to your garden hose will allow you to adjust the water stream from a stream to a fine mist.
* A water barrel. By catching rain water in a water barrel you will not only save on your water bill but also be able to water your garden in dry times.
* Plant ties and stakes. Some plants like creepers and sweet peas need to be supported by a stake. Use the plant ties to gently tie the plants to the stakes.
* Markers. These are not really essential but can be very helpful especially when you have just planted different kinds of seeds and need to know which ones are which.
* A watering can. A cheap plastic watering can will allow you to water plants on the veranda or inside the house with ease.
* A mower. To ensure your lawn stays clipped which will make your garden even more attractive.
Although starting out your garden might be a bit of an expensive exercise but if you look after your tools by cleaning them thoroughly after use and storing them in a dry place, they will last a very long time.