Gardening Hand Tools

Gardening is all about getting down with the dirt, being one with your zinnias,  and generally using your hands a lot! Make sure that your tools are comfortable for you to use; many are available in smaller "women's" sizes  since men tend to have bigger hands. If you like to garden these are going to be like extensions of your hand, so you want to be sure you can use them for hours.  You'll need an assortment of tools; advanced gardeners will probably want to choose individual items, but if you're just starting out you might want to look into a set of tools.  It might save you a few dollars to get them all together.

Planting Tools

Many of the full-sized gardening tools  are also available in hand-sized versions, and vice versa.

Consider also buying kid-sized versions  of a few of these. There are lots to choose from, and it will get the kids involved in gardening!

Trowels Trowels  will be your constant companion when you do any small task in the garden. Look for a trowel that will be comfortable in your hands. Since you will probably use this more than any other tool, it is important to find one that is just right for you. Consider having a few trowels handy. The one pictured features an offset shank ; the shank can also be completely straight,  a good shape for planting bulbs.  Very narrow trowels are sometimes called "transplanters. "

Bulb Planters Bulb planters  efficiently cut a hole in the dirt and remove the soil so you can plant your bulb. Look for models marked with hole depths if precision is important to you and your bulbs. There are also long-handled models that have a foot pad instead of the handle. These allow you to use your foot for more power. Again, comfort is key when choosing a bulb planter. Make sure that you have the hand strength to use it on your soil.

Weeder/Digger Weeders  looks like a forked screwdriver and is generally used for digging out the roots of dandelions and other taproot weeds. Also useful for weeding in tight areas, like between paving stones. Look for sturdy construction -- you don't want something that will break before getting out a particularly deep root.

Hand Cultivator Just like its larger cousins, this little hand cultivator  is used to scratch the earth to prepare it for planting Remove light debris and rocks and breaks up any crusted-over soil. At this size it's also good for removing weeds. Look for a nice comfy handle. The one pictures is padded and ergonomic. You don't want to shock your hand muscles when you hit a rock below the surface.

Pruning Tools

All pruning tools serve essentially the same function -- cutting off parts of your plants! The main variable is the scale, but different types of pruners use different cutting methods as well. You'll probably want to keep a selection handy so that you are prepared for anything, from snipping a few herbs to removing a dead branch from a tree.

Garden Scissors  Garden scissors  are great for small jobs like snipping herbs and cutting a few blossoms for a bouquet.	Anvil Pruner  For cutting dead stems, this will do fine. The anvil pruner  tends to crush living stems -- try a bypass pruner for your roses.	Bypass Pruner  A bypass pruner  works like a big pair of scissors, leaving a cleaner cut. Can be hard to sharpen. Use these on living plants, either for pruning or just to bring a few blooms indoors.	Hedge Trimmer  Hedge trimmers  are large, scissor-like trimmers for shaping your hedges. Definitely a must if you have topiaries!	Grass Shears  Grass shears  are used to trim the grass in tight areas or in places you want very precise control, like around a tree with delicate bark.

Lopper  Loppers  are long-handled version of pruning shears. Both anvil  and bypass  styles are available. Longer handles mean better leverage. Really big ones can handle up to 2" branches.	Pruning Saw  If you're cutting large branches within reach (or have a ladder ), try a pruning saw.  The more teeth, the finer the cut will be. Cuts on the pulling stroke. Some fold  for storage and safety.	Bow Pruning Saw  Another kind of pruning saw.  Mainly for quick, rough cuts on large limbs. Make sure the limb won't hit anything on the way down!	Pole Pruner  Pole pruners  are an elongated version of the pruning saw. Eliminates the need for ladders.  Make sure to step out of the way.

Other Tools

Wheelbarrows  One  and two wheel  versions are available, as are yard carts,  which are a combination of a wheelbarrow and a gardening cart.  Steel  is more durable but prone to rust. Plastic  is lightweight and weather-resistant.	Watering Cans  Two basic kinds: the smaller stream  kind (pictured) and the (usually) larger sprinkling  kinds.	Gardening Carts  Looking for a handy way to store all your tools, collect garbage, and keep everything organized when you aren't gardening? A gardening cart  might be the answer.	Aerating Shoes  Aerating shoes  are good for your soil, and they help you keep your traction on slippery turf. Just be careful not to step on anyone's toes

Gardening Knee Pads  Protect your knees with a set of knee pads.  You only get one set of knees, so treat them with love!	Gardening Seats  Gardening seats  ease joints for jobs that don't require kneeling. Many also provide storage for tools. Some collapse to serve as kneepads as well. Some even have drink holders!	Sun Protection Don't forget the sunblock  as well as a good hat  and a long-sleeved shirt.  Sunglasses  are also a good choice, but make sure they have UV protection as well.

Garden Gloves  Since these will protect your hands, which are very sensitive, it is important to find the right pair for you. From Lowe's, a guide to materials: Natural Hide  -- leather, from any animal; cow, goat, deer and pig hides are common. Top Grain  -- from the top part of the hide; smooth and supple. Split/Reverse Grain  -- a rougher type of hide. Fabric  -- cotton, canvas and synthetics are most common. Breathable but not recommended for work with chemicals. Plastics  and Rubber  -- PVC, latex, etc. -- recommended for work with chemicals and particularly wet days. Also look for gloves with cuffs or gauntlets to protect your arms and prevent dirt getting inside. Some gloves have grip-enhancing rubber dots on the palm size. Make sure to get the right size -- one size definitely does not fit all. Gloves for men and women are different sizes and have slightly different proportions. The seams may also be a concern; make sure that they will not irritate you.

External Links

• Lowe's -- excellent guide to choosing gardent tools.
• The Garden Helper -- a guide to most of the basics.
• eHow -- a very basic suggestion of the first few things you'll need if you're just starting.
• University of Vermont -- more suggestions, also includes info on power tools.