Must-Have Garden Tools for Gardeners

There are so many different garden tools and gadgets out there, but if you’re a beginner in the garden, these essential tools you need to get started. Seasoned gardeners know you can make it work with just these tools - you don’t need to buy every trendy new item that hits the market!

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Garden Tools for Working with Soil

Hori Hori Knife

If there’s one garden tool I can’t live without, it’s my Barebones Hori Hori Knife. This multi-purpose tool is a total game-changer—it’s part knife, part trowel, and even works as a weeder. I use it for everything from digging holes for transplants to cutting through stubborn roots and harvesting veggies.

The serrated edge is perfect for slicing, while the depth markings help with precise planting. It’s beautifully designed, incredibly durable, and feels great in hand. If you want a do-it-all tool that makes gardening easier, I can’t recommend this one enough!

Spade Hand Trowel

Spade hand trowels are used to dig out weeds, and mine is a staple in my garden bag. Barebones Living has the only trowel I have not broken in my years of gardening, making it a must-have in my kitchen garden.

Garden Scoop

When it comes to garden tools, I love finding ones that are both beautiful and practical—and the Barebones Garden Scoop is exactly that. This sturdy, well-crafted scoop makes digging, planting, and even mixing soil so much easier. I use it all the time for filling pots or seed trays, adding compost to my garden beds, and even scooping up mulch.

The comfortable handle and deep scoop design help me work more efficiently, and I know it’s built to last. If you’re looking for a high-quality garden tool that you’ll reach for again and again, this one is a favorite of mine!

Cultivator

A cultivator is essentially a rake that allows you to get through dense, rocky soil to remove weeds. I use this Barebones cultivator all the time to keep Creeping Charlie out of my garden (Creeping Charlie is an invasive weed species, not a weird neighbor, just to be clear.)

This gardening tool is also great for deep digging when you want to aerate the soil in your garden. Soil aeration helps to aid optimum nutrient absorption in your plants.   

Watering Can/Hose Nozzle

If there’s one garden tool I’m particular about, it’s my hose nozzle. I physically cringe when I see people blasting their plants away with a jet of water straight from the hose. What you really want is a gentle shower – something that mimics rain, the natural source of water for plants! You’re looking for full-flow watering without visible damage to plants or disruption to the soil. And with seeds and seedlings, you need to be even more gentle. 

I have two different hose nozzles that I use. One nozzle head has 400 holes and one has 1000 holes. The more holes in your nozzle head, the more gentle the waterflow – so I use the 1000 nozzle for seeds and seedlings and the 400 nozzle for established plants in my kitchen garden.

If a hose is not near your garden then a stainless steel watering can is my go to! Perfect for indoor plants, greenhouse seed starting, and watering small gardens.

Garden Tools for Plant Care

Pruners

I have two sets of pruners. One pair is heavy duty and can be resharpened. I also have a smaller pair with needle-nose clippers to precisely snip off individual leaves, which is great for harvesting lettuce and herbs.

Garden Gloves

I admit, I don’t always wear garden gloves. There’s something I secretly love about the dirt under my fingernails after tending the garden! But, when I’m continuously working with tools I usually throw on a pair of garden gloves to avoid blisters.  

It took me a while to find a pair of garden gloves I love. We all have different hand sizes and dexterity levels, so try out a couple different brands if you don’t like your first pair.

Plant Tags

Plant tags are so easy to DIY, but there are also a bunch of cute options out there to purchase. I love the look of these Copper Plant Markers. You can go as fancy as you want, or just use a Sharpie and a tongue depressor.

Whichever way you do it, definitely make sure to find some way to mark your seeds and seedlings when planting. Even if it’s just a temporary measure until you map your garden in your garden guidebook, it’s better to be safe than sorry and forget what you planted where! 

Rubbing Alcohol

Use rubbing alcohol to disinfect your garden tools. If you’re pruning diseased leaves, the last thing you would want is to spread the disease to healthy plants in your garden. If you don’t clean your garden tools between plants and in between uses, your chances of spreading disease skyrocket.  

Organic All-Purpose Fertilizer

One of my favorite ways to keep my plants thriving is by using Purple Cow Organic All-Purpose Fertilizer. It’s packed with organic nutrients that support strong, healthy growth, whether I’m feeding my vegetable garden, flowers, or container plants. I love how easy it is to use—just mix it into the soil or sprinkle it around my plants, and I can see the difference in their vigor and productivity. If you’re looking for a natural way to give your garden a boost, this fertilizer is definitely worth trying!

Organic Pest Control

Keeping my garden healthy isn’t just about watering and fertilizing—it’s also about protecting my plants from pests and disease. That’s why I love using the Arber Outdoor Plant Health Kit. It’s an organic, plant-based solution that helps build plant immunity while keeping my vegetables, herbs, and flowers thriving.

Since I started using it, I’ve noticed my plants are stronger, more resilient, and produce even more vibrant blooms and delicious veggies. It’s so easy to use, and I love knowing I’m protecting my garden naturally. If you want to give your plants a health boost without harsh chemicals, this kit is a must-try!

Do you have any garden tools you think are a must-have that I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments!

Check out some of my other favorite garden products here!

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