Top 5 Gardening Tools for Beginners
Gloves
Gardening gloves are an essential accessory in gardening as you are often dealing with products that can thorn or splinter. It’s important to make sure your gloves and durable and waterproof but most importantly, that they fit and are comfortable.
There are many different styles of gloves, we would recommend ones with longer cuffs to protect your wrists. They are best kept in a dry place away from sunlight and safe from water and insects.
Hand Trowel
The hand trowel is an essential gardening item, particularly for beginners. They are the perfect tool when planting in pots, small containers and planters. This versatile tool can be used to transfer bedding plants and small plants/herbs, plant within containers and take out weeds.
When selecting the right-hand trowel, you can pick between broad or narrow blades. Broad blades are best for planting, whereas narrow blades are best for weeding. Depending on what you will be using it for the most, pick which options work best for you. The trowel should be comfortable in your hand, with a stainless-steel head for durability.
Pruning Shears
Once plants start growing, pruning is one of the most essential techniques for caring for your plant. To do this you will need pruning shears, also known as secateurs.
Your pruning shears need to be comfortable to hold and have a sharp blade to ensure you are cutting your plants properly. The best type of shears to use for small plants and general gardening tasks are ‘Bypass pruners’. They provide the best results on live plants and green wood. Don’t forget these need to be sharpened regularly otherwise they will not benefit the plant you are trying to prune.
Hand Fork
A hand fork is an effective tool when gardening in small spaces. It helps turn the soil, and dig up densely packed areas.
The best type of hand fork to use for small gardening tasks has a slight curvature on the spine, allowing you to scoop up compost and turn the soil easily. If your soil is dense and compact, it's recommended to pick a fork with straight tines, as it provides more structure when diggings in the soil. Before buying make sure the fork is comfortable in your hand and easy for you to use.
Watering Can
The final product that is essential for any gardening beginner is a watering can. Whether that be a plastic or metal one, they are essential for hydrating your plants regularly.
When selecting a watering can think about the size of your garden and how much water you will be needing to use. If it is a small space, a small watering can be substantial. However, if it is a larger space ensure it is a large watering can with a sprinkle nozzle, for maximum water distribution.