The Five Indispensable Landscape Tools

Garden sheds and garden shops throughout the country are full of landscape tools – some practical, some which are never used. But you do not need a shed to hold the most basic tools with which to make a fine garden. With these five landscape tools, you can do most of the yard work you need.

Shovel

The shovel is the king of landscape tools. Without the shovel, how could we dig holes? Most homes will require a full-size shovel, but for someone with a small yard or just a patio garden, a hand shovel is all that is necessary. A shovel makes the shallow ridges for planting tiny seeds as well as the hole for planting grown trees.

Wheelbarrow

For anyone with more than a few square feet another of the necessary landscape tools is the wheelbarrow. Everything from moving rocks to raked-up leaves is much easier with a wheelbarrow. It may seem like a lot to buy a wheelbarrow for a yard, but the times when you need it you will be very glad to have it. Store it upside down and in a garage or under a tarp when it’s not in use.

Rake

The rake is the best, quietest, and healthiest landscape tool to clear up fall’s dead leaves. Leaf blowers drink gas, make racket, disturb the neighbors, and need maintenance. But the rake is not just for dead leaves. Use it to spread much or straw evenly in large beds. Use it to move mulch out of the way for new plantings. And use it to rake small rocks and debris out of beds being prepared for new plants.

Pruners

In every yard, trimming and pruning are important chores. At some point you will need to trim the branches off shrubs, cut down plants that are growing too big, or cut flowers for the house. Get a small, hand-held pair of pruners; they can trim things up to a diameter of one inch. There are other landscape tools for trimming and cutting such as shears and saws. But the bigger tools are not necessary for most simple home gardening.

Watering Can

There are places that garden hoses do not reach. Or maybe you do not even have a garden hose. A watering can is absolutely necessary landscape tool for container plants and newly-planted specimens. These guys need special care including frequent watering. Always use a watering can with a breaker on the nozzle so the water falls on the plants gently.