We all have our favorite shoes, pajamas, coffee cups, and other items, but my favorites are the gardening tools I use daily in my landscape.
I am never without a small pair of long-bladed, sharp scissors that I use for deadheading, pruning small branches, taking cuttings, and working on my bonsai collection.
A pair of long-bladed scissors are useful in deadheading, pruning small branches, taking cuttings, and trimming bonsai.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University
Another recommendation is never to purchase cheap hand pruners. If you invest in a pair of well-made pruners and take care of them, they will last you for years. Many pruner manufacturers will have different sizes of hand pruners to choose from according to the size of your hands. I have small hands, so a No. 6 size with an ergonomic handle suits me best. There are also options to choose between right-handed or left-handed ones too. Many brands offer pruners where the blades can be replaced. I prefer using a bypass cutting blade versus an anvil type. Bypass blades work like scissors and give a cleaner cut, whereas anvil types (a sharp blade that pushes down on a solid bar) tend to crush soft plant tissue.
Bypass hand pruners (left) work like scissors and make a cleaner cut, while anvil pruners (right) tend to crush soft plant tissue.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University
Long-handled loppers with bypass blades are used for removing larger branches up to 1½ inches in diameter. Again, invest in a good pair that will last you for years. Many brands also have the option of replacement blades. Mine have twist lock telescoping handles, allowing me the option to extend the handles from 24 to 37 inches.
Long-handled loppers with bypass blades and telescoping handles cut branches up to 1½ inches in diameter.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University
Many brands of long-handled pruners have the option of replacing blades.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University
Always wipe down your pruners with an alcohol or bleach wipe after use to sterilize the blades, dry well, then apply an oil spray or an oil-soaked cloth to keep the blades from rusting. For more information on caring for your tools, see HGIC Blog, Tool Hygiene.
My favorite shovel of all times is a floral type. In fact, I have several on hand. The sharp-pointed blade is about 6 inches wide and 8 inches tall. It’s lightweight and a perfect size to work in tight spaces, along with planting bulbs, perennials, annuals, and other small plants.
Want an easy way to load up plant debris and leaves? Then get a bedding manure fork for the job. You can’t load extremely heavy or wet loads, but it will work great to rake and scoop up debris. If you have heavier material to load, you may have to resort to a metal pitch or manure fork, which will be much larger and heavier to handle. The tines on a bedding manure fork are closer together, so you can pick up debris without it falling through the tines.
A bedding manure fork (left) and floral shovel (right) make gardening tasks easier.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University
The tines on a bedding manure fork (left) are closer together, so you can pick up debris without it falling through the tines. A floral shovel (right) is perfect for working in tight spaces, along with planting bulbs, perennials, annuals, and other small plants.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University
I have what I call my “handy-dandy” weeder that has an angled, sharp blade for weeding, but I also use it to loosen up the soil in containers and dig holes for planting annuals. You can get it with regular or longer-length handles. Again, many manufacturers make left-handed or right-handed weeders.
A long-handled weeder has an angled, sharp blade for weeding.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University
Possibly one of my favorite tools is a Hori-Hori soil knife. It has a twine cutting notch in the blade, depth gauge markings, and a stainless steel blade with a serrated edge on one side and a slicing edge on the other. This multi-use tool is invaluable to use for many gardening chores.
A Hori-Hori knife is a multi-use tool.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University
Using a machete would not be an option for my use as the blade is too long, and I’d probably cut myself with it. I have a Japanese bamboo hatchet I use to cut down small saplings or tough weeds. It has a wooden handle that fits in my hand better and is easier to guide when cutting.
A bamboo hatchet is used to cut down small saplings or tough weeds.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University
Do you plant bulbs in the fall and spring in your garden? Consider getting a bulb planting auger attachment for your drill. I have a battery-powered drill with two battery packs so I can switch to another battery when the other one needs charging. The auger attachment makes digging the holes for the bulbs a breeze.
A bulb planting auger attachment for a drill makes digging holes a breeze.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University
I’ve written before about learning how to garden smarter, not harder, as I’ve gotten older. Switching to a battery-powered string trimmer and a pole saw makes handling them easier due to the lighter weight and reduces the need for using gas. A fully charged battery pack will run continuously for about an hour. I have two batteries for each tool, so I always have one charged and ready to use.
A battery-powered pole saw (top) and string trimmer (bottom) are lighter in weight and easier to handle.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University
The battery packs will run the pole saw and string trimmer continuously for more than an hour.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2022 HGIC, Clemson University
I love getting tools for presents. Who needs another pair of shoes, pajamas, or a coffee mug?
