1. Trowel
Trowel
A hand-held trowel is a must-have for a multitude of everyday gardening tasks, including breaking up clumps of soil, digging small holes, transplanting seedlings and even digging up weeds. Container-only and large-scale gardeners alike will find themselves using a trowel on a regular basis. If you splurge on one piece of entry-level gardening equipment, make it this–select one with a solid metal blade and sturdy wooden handle.
2. Pruning Shears
Pruning shears
Whether you're harvesting fresh produce or cutting back berry bushes, you'll want to equip yourself with a set of sturdy pruning shears.
For a clean cut, snip at the node of the plant (where the branch meets the stem in a Y shape). Once your garden matures, you can invest in a set of loppers designed for branches 2 inches or wider.
3. Hose and/or Watering Can
Hoses
If you're putting plants directly in the ground, spring for a hose, making sure it's long enough to reach from your spigot to your garden. Consider adding a sprayer attachment that will let you control water flow and pressure. If you're purely container gardening, a watering can will suffice–look for a lightweight one you can still carry when full.
For best results, water in the early morning when temperatures are cooler. Avoid midday watering, which will evaporate too quickly, as well as evening watering, which can make the soil waterlogged and create a breeding ground for harmful fungi and bacteria.
4. Garden Rake
Rake
Garden rakes typically have a long handle made of wood with uniform metal tines that are sturdier than leaf rakes you'd use to clean up grass clippings and other loose material. They allow you to easily create smooth, level soil while removing unwanted weeds. If you're cultivating tough, overgrown land, consider swapping the rake for a garden hoe, which is a landscaping tool with more heft to help you chop and clear unruly spaces and remove weeds.
5. Angled Shovel
Shovel
A shovel seems straightforward enough, but you'll be surprised by how many options there are at the store. Select an angled shovel (with a triangular-shaped head), which will give you the ability to dig holes, move soil and relocate plants. If you're starting a large landscaping bed, a squared-off garden spade would help you make cleaner cuts, but for most newbies an angled shovel is the tool for the job.
