The only 8 tools every gardener needs

With so many gardening tools out there (which all promise you less labouring in the garden), it’s hard to know which ones are essential and the ones that are just going to be money wasted. Here are the eight tools you actually need.

1. Spade

For digging planting holes, removing sod, edging garden beds, and moving soil or amendments.

2. Hand trowel

For planting small annuals, veggies and herbs; digging out weeds; mixing potting soil and planting container gardens.

3. Digging fork

For lifting and dividing perennials, loosening soil and turning compost piles.

4. Hoe

For veggie gardeners a standard or stirrup hoe is a must to weed between rows. For flower gardeners, a thinner model will be required.

5. Rake

For raking leaves, mulching and cleaning out beds. Flip it over to move soil and compost.

6. Scissors

For deadheading flowers, snipping herbs, harvesting small veggies and opening bags and packets. There’s no need to go fancy, plain old household scissor will do the trick.

7. Weeders

For digging out weeds with ease. A much loved one is the “dandelion digger.”

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8. Pruning shears

For deadheading, pruning, shaping and removing foliage.