Hand pruners are the top go-to tool pro gardeners recommend — but that’s just the beginning. (Getty Images)
As winter wanes and the soil warms, spring is a great time to sort through your garage or potting shed to take stock of your gardening gear. If all you have is a rusty pile of shovels and trowels (no judgment — we’ve all been there), it might be time to replenish your tool collection so you’ll be ready to tend your garden like a pro this year. To find out which tools are the most important to keep at the ready, Yahoo checked in with two gardening experts for their recommendations.
Kate Herlihy and Callyn Owen manage the Nursery at Mount Si, a popular plant nursery in North Bend, Wash. (with a heartwarming, feline-filled social media presence). Between them, Owen and Herlihy have about two decades of collective experience in the home gardening industry, and they know exactly which tools are the most helpful to have on hand — and which ones you may not actually need. Spoiler: The classic garden trowel did not make the list, and the tools that did might surprise you.
5 must-have garden tools for every gardener
With the right tools, maintaining your yard and garden can be easier and less grueling. (Mariia Zotova via Getty Images)
These are the top five tools Herlihy and Owen recommend for just about any gardener. If you only have space for a few tools in your collection this year, make it these.
1. Hand pruners
When asked about their favorite go-to gardening tools, Herlihy and Owen immediately held up their trusty pairs of bypass pruning shears, also known as hand pruners. You’ve almost certainly seen this popular outdoor tool before, and if you don’t already have them on hand, you should snag a pair ASAP.
High-quality hand pruners are sturdy and strong, and they can effectively cut through thick stems and woody plants up to about a 3/4-inch diameter. Whether you’re deadheading, pruning or making a large bouquet, bypass pruners are the best multipurpose tool to have on hand in your garden.
2) Garden snips
For more detail-oriented pruning and deadheading, you’ll want to have a good pair of snips on hand. Herlihy and Owen both recommend this simple garden tool for delicate pruning work and cut flowers.
A bit smaller than standard pruners, garden snips are lightweight and easy to wield and carry. While some gardeners may use a pair of kitchen scissors, snips tend to be sturdier and longer-lasting.
3) Hori Hori
The Japanese hori-hori has long been a cult favorite among gardeners and farmers alike, thanks to its effectiveness and versatility. It’s often used as an alternative to a traditional garden trowel; in fact, many pros and avid gardeners prefer the hori-hori.
Herily and Owen recommend this tool because it’s sturdy, sharp and easy to carry around in a work belt. It can be used for a wide range of tasks, including weeding, digging, planting and cutting tap roots.
While you can easily pick up a regular garden trowel for a few bucks at the hardware store, most aren’t built to last. Hori-horis are the trusted, long-lasting alternative for people serious about gardening.
4) Japanese weeder
Shaped like a small sickle, the Japanese weeder is a versatile tool that Herlihy says is especially helpful for digging out stubborn tap roots. She explains that the shape and sharpness of this unique tool allow you to cut down into the soil and get underneath root systems that might be hard to reach with other weeding tools. She also point out that it’s handy for quickly disturbing shallower root systems by using the tip to fluff the surface of the soil.
“Between the Japanese weeder and a pair of hand pruners, I can get pretty much anything done in my garden,” notes Herlihy, who adds that these are the two tools she reliably keeps at the ready on her own front porch.
5) Digging shovel
For planting larger things like trees and shrubs, you’ll want to have a sturdy pointed shovel on hand, preferably one with a sharpened blade and a “kickplate” or step.
You may already have a shovel in your garage or shed, but make sure it’s in good shape before using it to dig any holes. Worn-out shovels (especially ones with wood handles) can easily snap when force is applied, which can be dangerous.
5 more garden tools pro gardeners swear by
For larger yards and lots of trees and shrubs, power tools can help you get chores done fast. (Guido Mieth via Getty Images)
If you want to get a bit more specialized with your yard work, these are the tools to consider. From power pruners and hedge trimmers to ergonomic weeders, these pro recommendations will help you get a ton of work done with as much ease and comfort as possible.
1) Stand-up weeder
For anyone who struggles with knee pain or low-back issues, Owen recommends grabbing a stand-up weeding tool, commonly known as a “Grampa’s Weeder” after the popular brand name. This long-handled apparatus is operated using a foot lever attached to a metal claw, so you can stay standing and use your foot to pull weeds. Even if you don’t have any pain or mobility concerns, a stand-up weeder is a great way to make a tedious chore a bit less grueling.
While it may not be enough for every stubborn root ball, a stand-up weeder is an effective tool for getting most weeds out of your garden without killing your back and knees.
2) Cordless power pruners
Has your hand ever felt fatigued after a long day of pruning in your garden? If so, power pruners might be your new best friend.
Powered by a small motor and trigger-operated blades, this tool is ideal for people who struggle with arthritis or tendonitis, Herlihy says. The blades also move much faster than conventional pruning shears, so it’s important to take plenty of caution when using power pruners.
3) Large loppers
Designed for cutting thick, woody stems, vines and small branches, loppers are a tried-and-true tool that gardeners continue to recommend as a must-have.
With long handles for reaching and added leverage, loppers can cut vines and branches up to about 2.5 inches wide. Just be careful not to put too much stress on your loppers, as they can break, warp or get stuck if you use them to cut anything too thick.
4) Handsaw
For thicker branches, Herlihy and Owen recommend keeping a handsaw on, well … hand. Herlihy notes that folding handsaws can be especially helpful, since they’re easy to store and carry. That said, a standard version may offer better precision and ease of use.
Handsaws are ideal for yards with trees and large shrubs, making it easy to prune or remove branches as needed. Saws can also be used for a range of other home projects, so they’re helpful to have around for more than just garden work.
5) Power hedge trimmers
Last but not least, electric hedge trimmers are an excellent way to make year-round yard maintenance easier. While they’re especially important for yards with hedges and shrubs, power hedge cutters are more versatile than you might think. Herlihy and Owen say they can also be used to cut down hardy perennials like lavender in the fall, saving you from having to manually cut everything back with pruners or loppers.
“These can make very quick work if you have a lot of stuff to cut back,” says Owen.
Ready to get planting? Here are six beginner-friendly plants our gardening experts recommend for your yard this year.
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