Having the right tools is essential for maintaining a successful garden as they significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of gardening tasks. Proper tools, tailored to specific tasks like planting, weeding, pruning, and watering, minimize effort and reduce the risk of damaging plants. High-quality tools are designed to ensure accurate and precise work, leading to healthier plant growth. Having the appropriate tools saves time and reduces frustration, making gardening an enjoyable experience instead of feeling like another job.
With the hot humid summers and below freezing winters and the hard rocky soil I deal with, good quality garden tools are a must. Below is a list of tools that are still going strong after multiple seasons of hard use.
Stirrup Hoe:
A stirrup hoe has a sharp, loop-shaped blade that is pushed and pulled just beneath the soil’s surface to cut weeds and loosen soil. It works best when weeds are just popping up. The one I have is adjustable so you can stand up or kneel depending on type of bed you are doing.
Tiller:
A tiller is a motorized tool that breaks up and loosens compacted soil, preparing it for planting by turning it over. I have amazing neighbors who came over and plowed my field with their tractor and then another neighbor who used their tractor to till it. Now that that hard stuff has been done, I use a Troy bilt tiller. It works well for normal ground. I have super heavy clay soil so If I didn’t have my neighbors I would save up for a bcs tractor.
Earthway Seeder:
An Earthway seeder is a precision tool that helps you sow seeds at consistent intervals, reducing the need for thinning later. I also have the extra seed plates.
Soil Rake:
A soil rake has sturdy tines and is used for leveling soil, breaking up clumps, and preparing seedbeds. I use a craftsman rake that I picked up at Lowe’s for my raised beds. I also use a 30” rake for my big market garden we set up.
Silage Tarp:
Silage tarps are heavy-duty covers used to smother weeds and create a barrier that encourages decomposition, improving soil quality. I use these over my beds to kill any cover crops or weeds that have popped up on beds that don’t have anything planted.
Pruning Shears:
Pruning shears are used to trim and shape plants, remove dead or diseased growth, and encourage healthy growth. I exclusively use fiskars. I have tried so many different brands that would break or bend relatively quickly. I have two set of fiskars I have had for 3 years now without any issues.
Field Drip Irrigation:
Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the plant’s root zone, conserving water and minimizing weed growth. Field irrigation is a bit more heavy duty than raised bed irrigation.
Digging Fork:
A garden fork has sturdy tines and is used for digging, lifting, and turning soil, as well as for incorporating compost. This is a must for aerating soil, digging potatoes, carrots and if you have heavy clay soil like me garlic. I’ve had this one for a couple years and it works great.
Raised Bed Irrigation:
My husband set this up for me. It has smaller tubing with drip holes closer together. It’s meant to be kept in a more permanent spot unlike field irrigation which is easily moved.
Long Wand Garden Sprayer:
A long wand garden sprayer helps you apply pesticides, fertilizers, or water accurately to targeted areas, even those that are hard to reach. This is so helpful when watering plant starts, potted plant, and even garden beds. It gives you so much control over water pressure. I haven’t had any issues with soil erosion from watering like I do with a hose. I’ve had this one for years and have had 0 issues.