When starting your garden, make sure you have these essential tools for every gardener; they will save you a lot of unnecessary work!

Gardening is a fun and relaxing pastime, but it can also be challenging — especially without the right gardening tools in your holster! You don’t need to spend a ton of money on dozens of implements you hardly ever use, or big pieces of expensive equipment that fill up your garage. The tools you will need will depend to some degree on the type of garden you have. A big garden will probably require more equipment than a small garden. But regardless of whether you have a tiny container garden, or a big backyard full of vegetables, there are a few essential tools you’ll want to have on hand. Make sure you’re prepared for this year’s gardening season with these nine must-have tools for every gardener.

1. Hose With Nozzle

When it comes to watering your plants, sometimes Mother Nature has your back — rain is almost always the best way to water your garden! Sometimes, however, you will need to take matters into your own hands. On those occasions, you need a good hose with a spray nozzle. Even for a small container garden, a hose can make things much faster and easier than toting watering cans back and forth. Flexzilla makes a decently priced and nearly indestructible hose. The Melnor Rear Trigger 7-Pattern Nozzle is a quality nozzle with several gentle settings – and it’s ergonomic to help keep your hands from getting tired while watering.

2. Seating or Kneeling Pad

Gardening involves a lot of crouching, stooping, kneeling, and sitting. Make all of these things more comfortable with a seating or kneeling pad. A good garden seating pad can help save your knees and allow you to stay in the garden longer without getting sore or fatigued. Navy Penguin sells a decently thick two-pack of kneeling pads that is worth considering.

3. Garden Gloves

If you’ve gardened at all, you know that gardening can really tear up your hands! Sharp leaves and thorns can cause cuts and scrapes. Dirt can lodge itself deep under your nails. And there’s always the possibility of digging into the soil only to grab onto a giant centipede or beetle! To keep your hands protected, it’s essential to invest in a good pair of gardener’s gloves, such as the Garden Genie. These unique gloves come with removable claws to help with digging and planting. Or, our favorites, the Kamojo Bamboo gloves, which have a biodegradable latex coating, are very durable and make your hands sweat less than most rubberized garden gloves.

4. Rake

There are two kinds of rakes, and depending on your garden, you may want both. A traditional leaf rake is good for keeping your garden and the surrounding area free of leaves and large debris. Check out the Jardineer Lightweight Adjustable Leaf Rake for a quality option.

A garden rake has a sturdier steel head and short tines, and is useful for smoothing and prepping the soil prior to planting. The Bully Tools 92309 Bow Rake with Fiberglass Handle is a durable and effective garden rake if you need one.

5. Chicken Wire

While it’s not a tool per se, chicken wire is something you may want to consider for your garden. If you have a problem with possums, squirrels, or other animals eating your veggies and fruits, chicken wire can help protect your plants. Look for chicken wire that is galvanized.

6. Shears

Whether you’re weeding, pruning, or just need to cut something out in the garden, garden shears are a must-have. These are basically heavy-duty scissors, capable of easily cutting through plant material and branches. If you’re in the market for shears, consider iGarden’s three-piece set for a great value that will cover all your bases.

7. Soil Knife

A soil knife – also sometimes known as a Hori-Hori knife is a curved knife with a serrated edge. This gardening tool is particularly useful for anything that involves digging or slicing, including digging into hard soil at the beginning of the year. Nisaku makes an extremely highly rated and durable soil knife.

8. Small Soil Shovel

This is one of the most versatile tools for every gardener to have in the garden. A soil shovel can help you dig holes for planting, fill large pots, dig up a plant for removal or transport, or scoop compost into your garden beds. Small soil shovels are ideal for gardening because of their size and easy portability. The Martha Stewart Mini Digging Shovel is one excellent option.

9. Digging or Spading Fork

While you may not need a digging fork if you have a very small garden, it’s one of the most essential tools for every gardener who has heavy soil – as well as anyone who does a lot of digging, or anytime you need to dig out deep-rooted plants or shrubs. A sturdy digging fork or spading fork is a must for double-digging or turning in compost. True Temper makes a highly rated spading fork that’s more affordable than many of the alternatives.

The Bottom Line

Having the right tool for the job will save you a lot of extra work. While this list is not exhaustive, it does cover many of the most important tools every gardener needs for a successful garden.