10 Essential Tools Every Landscape Gardener Needs

10 Essential Tools Every Landscape Gardener Needs

With any profession, employment, pastime, or hobby there are going to be tools and equipment which are essential, and landscaping is no different. Whether you are involved in landscaping as a business, as a passionate hobby, or simply as an enjoyable and relaxing way to spend a few hours in your garden, there are tools that you will need to complete certain tasks successfully.

On larger scale landscaping projects we might be talking more about machinery than we are tools, but for the purposes of this article, we are only going to look at the sorts of tools you will need for smaller and medium-sized landscaping. In particular, here are 10 landscaping/ gardening tools which are regarded as essential by expert landscape designers:

Gloves: Whilst landscape gardening might not be considered as a ‘high-risk’ activity, that does not mean that all personal safety should be ignored. In particular, it is your hands that are most at risk of cuts from tools or scratches from thorns, for example, which is why a pair of robust gardening gloves is essential.

Spade: If you are going to be able to dig anything then a high-quality spade is needed. Apart from digging ,it can also be used for moving mulch, compost, and soil. If possible, use a flat edge spade as it penetrates the ground more easily.

Hoe: Whether you are going to be planting flowers, shrubs, or vegetables, a hoe is a vital tool as it allows you to prepare the soil for them. It can also be a very useful tool when you are weeding.

Fork: Often preferred by many landscape gardeners to a spade, a garden fork is an extremely versatile gardening tool. It is excellent for lifting compost, aerating the lawn, and turning soil.

Hand Trowel: Another versatile tool which can be used for several jobs. The most common are weeding and whenever plants are being transplanted form one area of your garden to another area.

Pruning Shears: Whilst landscape gardeners want everything in their garden to grow, often that growth is too much and therefore shrubs, flowers and even trees needs to be cut back. Pruning shears are normally the tool of choice for these jobs.

Rake: You will hopefully have begun to see a pattern developing where many of the tools we have listed already have multiple uses, and a rake is another on that versatility list. It can be used to remove stones and small rocks from soil to maintain it, plus it can clear leaves, weeds and other cuttings from lawns and pathways.

Watering Can: If you live in a dry area that gets very little rain your landscape garden will only survive if you water it regularly, but often a hose will be too strong for more delicate plants. This is where a watering can becomes essential as it allows you to water these plants.

Hose: Following on from our watering can, we have the hose which can be used to water lawns and plants, although take care not to use too much water pressure. This is why a hose with an adjustable nozzle is preferrable. Other than watering plants, a hose can also be used to wash paths and other hard surfaces.

Wheelbarrow: For those who have larger landscaped gardens, moving heavy items and larger gardening tools around will be made much easier and cause less strain on your back if you use a wheelbarrow.