There are several tools that every gardener should have. Here are the basics as well as some items that can go on your wish list.

More Beginner Content: Easiest Plants to Grow from Seed

A garden cart does the heavy lifting

A sturdy garden cart makes hauling bags of manure and carloads of new plants a breeze. Gardener’s Supply Company’s classic garden cart has become a must-have tool for gardeners across the country. It won’t tip over like a wheelbarrow, holds up to 400 pounds, and is easy to maneuver. A sliding dump door makes for easy unloading. The cart now comes in a cheery red hue, too.

Choose a watering can wisely

There will always be corners of your garden that only a watering can will reach. Having a good one will make more of a difference than you might expect. A large opening means you won’t get splashed with water when filling it up. Good balance makes carrying a full can easier on your body, and a quality rose (where the water emerges) gives forth a gratifyingly uniform shower of H₂O. The Haws Practican has all these qualities and will serve you well for years.

You need a shovel and a spade

You need both, trust us. A shovel (right) is a must for planting trees and digging holes, while a spade (left) is for slicing earth—fundamental activities of any garden. As with most things, you get what you pay for. Look for a strong handle of ash or fiberglass and a heavyweight-steel blade. Check out the selection offered by A.M. Leonard.

Bug repellent will save your sanity

Mosquitoes, ticks, and other nagging insects like to spend time in your garden as much as you do. If you want to enjoy gardening, you need a good repellent. Natural, DEET-free bug repellents vary in effectiveness. The good ones tend to knock you off your feet with their strong scent. For a nice balance of potency and pleasant scent, try Mosquito Guard from Botanical Solutions.

You’ll never curse your garden hose again

We’ve all spent some time wrestling with a hose. It kinks, it deflates, it flops in every direction, and finally, it springs a leak. Our frustrations, luckily, are finally being heard. The elements of a truly durable hose include beefy fittings and thick, rubber walls. Throw in some candy colors and you’ve got one dreamboat of a hose from Dramm; it’s pricey, but it will last.

A trug tub has a multitude of uses

Once you own a nice, sturdy trug tub, you’ll wonder how you lived without it. You not only will haul weeds, mulch, and even water with it, but you also will be able to use it to chill bottles of beer, tie-dye a few T-shirts, and hold water to wash your car. The trug tubs from Kinsman Company come in a variety of sizes and colors that you won’t be able to resist.

Wear your knee pads

If you have knees of steel, you can skip this section. But if you’re creaking and groaning like the rest of us, you’ll benefit from a good pair of knee pads. Knee pads can be a life saver while weeding. Crocs used to make kneepads, and you can still find them on ebay and other resale sites, but for brand new, you’ll want to check out a supplier such as A.M. Leonard’s Gardener’s Edge.

A transplanter and fork make planting a snap

A transplanter (left) is a specially shaped spade that gets into tight spaces within existing planting beds, while a fork (right) is used to turn over the soil in a new bed and lift plants when you want to move them around. NRG Pro tools are ergonomic and durable—and they look cool. Enlarged foot steps are easy on the feet, and the colorful O-shaped handles offer a range of hand positions for all-day comfort. Both available on Amazon.

Books: Plants and how-to advice at the turn of a page

Trial and error certainly is an effective way to become a better gardener, but if you want to eliminate some of the error, it’s a good idea to have a few reference books to turn to in times of confusion. Here are a couple of wonderful resources to start with:

• The American Horticultural Society A–Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants, edited by Christopher Brickell and H. Marc Cathey (DK Publishing, $80.00). The plant bible of choice among Fine Gardening editors.
• The Well-Tended Perennial Garden, by Tracy DiSabato-Aust (Timber Press, $34.95). Everything you need to know about growing a successful perennial garden.

Good gloves will last more than one season

Once you’ve begun working in the dirt, it becomes immediately clear that fashion takes a backseat to comfort and durability. Bionic’s classic gardening gloves may make you look like you’re off to the motorcycle races, but they are darn comfortable, and they hold up to a few seasons’ worth of hard work. Best of all, they can go right in the washing machine.

A trowel is your constant companion

A trowel is an indispensable gardening companion—the tool you’ll reach for over and over. The best ones have a strong connection between the blade and the handle.

These pruners are a badge of honor

Savvy gardeners don’t go anywhere without a pair of pruners on their hip. You can buy a $6.00 pair at your local hardware store, or you can spend 20 times more at a fancy nursery. But the gardeners’ pruners of choice have always been Felcos. Once you own a pair, you’ll find yourself hesitant to be parted from them for more than a night’s sleep. Soon you’ll be a pruners snob, too.

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Flat Soaker Hose 75 150 FT for Garden Beds

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Consistent & Even Watering Drip Irrigation Hose: Makes use of a clog-resistant fabric cover recycled vinyl for consistent slow soaking seep throughout its entire length. Deliver water to the entire area that it covers. Only certain areas of your garden bed getting watered. For waste-free watering in garden beds and other tight spaces. Waters the base of the plants so less water-related leaf damage. Linkable Garden Soaker Hose For DIY Irrigation System: End to end connectable drip water hose, flexible versatile Above-ground or bury it below a up to 3-inch layer of mulch or soil; this fit with garden hose threads and come with rust resistant end caps that make it possible to connect multiple hoses and works well with timers. Maneuverability And 100% Environmentally Friendly Drip Hose: Double layer design PVC Covered With Extra-Strength Fabric material protect from sun damage than rubber weeping hose; ensure the longevity of the soaker hose, which is ideal for you using it regularly through all seasons in your garden. Made of 100% environmentally friendly recycled vinyl, pass CA65 test, water is safe for ground which makes it perfect for use with vegetables, herbs, and other edible plants. Easy To Store Flat Soaker Hose: This irrigation drip hose flat design is kink-resistant, lies flat makes it a breeze to roll up and store for next season.The flat shape also makes it simple to snake under existing plant growth. One-Year Warranty on Flat Soaker Hoses: Ensure a water pressure of 40-90 psi for best results—hot water is not suitable.

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BLACK+DECKER 40V MAX Hedge Trimmer, Cordless, 24-Inch Blade, Battery and Charger Included (LHT2436)

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Powerful 40V Lithium Ion battery of the cordless hedge trimmer delivers power and run-time to complete the toughest jobs. 24 inch dual-action blades of the battery powered hedge trimmer cut branches fast with less vibration. Trimmers for plants have extended reach blades with a 3/4 inch cut capacity trim more in less time. Up to 6000 sq ft of actual hedges trimmed per charge. Wrap-around front handle provides comfort and control in vertical and horizontal trimming application. Full length trigger with soft grip handle provides added comfort during use. State of charge indicator shows battery charge level. Maximum initial battery voltage (measured without a workload) is 40V. Nominal voltage is 36.

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Felco Pruning Shears (F 9) - High Performance Swiss Made One-Hand Left-Handed Garden Pruners

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The premium pruning clippers are constructed of forged aluminum handles and hardened steel blades. Rotating handle and ergonomic shock absorbers for increased comfort. This high-performance pruner features a wire cutter for small wires and a sap groove to minimize the blade sticking. Hardened steel blade and screw-mounted anvil blade ensure reliably clean, precise cuts. 8.3-inch (210mm) length, 0.98-inch (25mm) cutter diameter, and has a 0.54 lb (245 gram) weight. Ideal tool for left-handed pruners. Features a cushion stop, sap-groove, wire-cutting notch, and fine blade adjustment.

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