Horticulture has a long and storied past. In fact, the primary indicator of civilization – at least from an infrastructure standpoint – is the development of agriculture, which is the banner under which horticulture falls. Gardening is also a great way to become more self-sufficient, because with some practice you can surely learn how to grow a dependable and edible crop of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and otherwise. And, if you have any interest in staying healthy, growing your own food is a pretty excellent way to keep track of exactly the kinds of stuff – from chemicals to impurities – you’re ingesting.
But growing your own garden isn’t quite as simple as scooping up some dirt with your hand, spitting an apple seed into the hole, and praying for the best. If you want to give yourself a leg up toward creating a sustainable and successful crop of plants – for food or for leisure – you’re going to want to get some tried and true gear to help you in your endeavor. The following 20 pieces of gardening gear are going to be your best chance at turning your thumbs green, if you think you’re up to the task.
Gardenite Power Drive Ratchet Pruning Shears
Pruning shears are an indispensable tool for gardening. They can clip unsightly dead or dying stalks and branches from your plants, or they can be used to gather healthy cuttings for replanting. These, from Gardenite, are no ordinary pruning shears, however. With clever ratcheting technology and a hardened carbon steel blade, the Power Drive Pruning Shears can multiply your cutting strength by up to five times. Weeds beware.
Project Charlie’s Lettuce Party Collection
Your gardening endeavors wont go very far if you don’t have some seeds. This Salad Seeds set, from Project Charlie’s Gardening Supplies, contains everything you need to grow a complete salad. Each of these sets contains air-tight tins full of easy-to-grow, non-GMO, organic seeds for greens, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and radishes. And it includes growing instructions and a recipe for a ranch dressing, as well.
Carhartt Grain Leather Work Gloves
Yard work – from chopping wood, to shoveling dirt, to planting seeds – can be very hard on your hands, as the earth is not very forgiving. Avoid the risk of cuts, abrasions, and infection by grabbing a pair of these tough work gloves from legendary work-wear brand Carhartt. Constructed from 100% leather with a polyester lining, these gloves are sure to keep your digits safe through all outdoor work.
DeWit Cultivator
Aerating and tilling your soil is essential to growing a healthy crop and this Cultivator from DeWit is one of the best hand-tools to do so. This tool’s clawed prongs will make short work of even the most hard-packed soil and the short handle makes it ideal for use in tight spaces – like a city rooftop garden or a raised backyard planter box.
Truly Garden Hori Hori Knife
Although this may look like a fixed-blade bowie knife from afar, it’s actually a very versatile gardening tool. The stainless steel blade has a slight latitudinal curve, giving this tool increased functionality as a gardening trowel. And there are depth markings along the length of the blade, so you can accurately gauge how deep you are digging into the soil. And it comes with a leather sheath for easy carry.
Patagonia Booney Hat
One of the biggest downsides to working outside is that it puts you at the mercy of the sun. Protect yourself with this Booney Hat from Patagonia. This lightweight breathable nylon hat offers a large brim for 360-degree coverage and it features a water-repellant finish. And the pull-string chinstrap will ensure that it won’t fall off your head.
garDspo Expandable Hose
Boasting the title of world’s strongest inner tube, this USA-made expandable hose is the perfect way to transmit water from your spigot to your flower bed, as it is very lightweight, will not kink or tangle, and comes with a versatile 9-setting nozzle attachment.
Esschert Designs Aged Terracotta Pots
Terracotta is one of the oldest building materials created by man and it has been a staple of gardening for its whole existence. These Tuscan style ones are an interesting and stylish spin on an old classic and you’d be doing your seedlings a disservice if you didn’t pick them up.
Fiskars Deluxe Stand-Up Weeder
The bane of any landscaper’s existence, weeds are not only unsightly, but they can damage and/or kill any surrounding crops. Get to the root of the matter with this stand-up weeder by Fiskars. This easy-to-use tool can eliminate the problem the first time around, removing dandelions and thickets from the root, and the long shaft will save your back from excess stress.
Corona Extendable Bypass Lopper
If you’re growing anything notable large or dangerous – like a thorny rose bush – you’d do well to get yourself this lopper by Corona. Perfect for clipping branches that are hard to reach, this clipper’s handles can extend up to 29″ easily. Just flip the lock and telescope the pole. And the ComfortGEL handles ensure that you’ll always have an easy and secure grip.
Radius Garden 202 Pro Shovel
Unless you are inheriting a garden from someone who has already done all the hard work, making you more of a custodian than a gardener, you’re going to need to dig some holes. But a traditional shovel isn’t exactly the most friendly device on the planet, in regards to ergonomics. This shovel from Radius Garden does a measure to fix that, by adding a circular handle grip that reduces stress to your body – especially your wrists. And it’s a pretty excellent shovel apart from that.
The Garden Book
Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting off, this book is an superb way to get some new ideas. This veritable encyclopedia of photos of professionally manicured gardens from around the world offers up over 500 designers and their most significant achievements in the world of landscaping. And if you aren’t the most familiar with gardening terms, there’s a full glossary in the book, too.
Fiskars Aluminum Garden Rake
If you live anywhere that sees all four seasons, you know how horrendous yard work can be come the fall. Sure the brown and orange leaves might remind you of football and Thanksgiving dinner, but they more than likely also remind you of what a nuisance dead foliage is. Grab this rake by Fiskers and make short work of those crunchy aggravations. And the steel is tough enough to help you dig up some hardened soil, if the need arises.
Fiskars Garden Fork
Not just a tool for rural rioters in a Mary Shelly novel and the farmer from the American Gothic painting, the garden fork is an excellent device for any gardener who needs to move large bunches of chopped foliage, wood, mulch, compost and otherwise. And this one, which is made from welded steel, is sure to outlast any of its wooden- or fiberglass-handled counterparts. And it has a lifetime warranty, just in case.
Parrot Smart Plant Sensor
Even the most seasoned gardener could use a little help every once in a while. And this nifty device is one of the cooler ways to get that help. This Bluetooth compatible planter stake – which comes with either an iOS or Android compatible app – can measure the health parameters of over 6,000 documented plants in real time.
Yimby Tumbler Composter
If you want to grow a healthy and productive garden – meaning sustainable vegetables you can actually make into a meal – you’re going to want to invest in a composter at some point. Compost improves the nutritional quality of your soil and also helps with erosion control. This tumbling composter from Yimby gives you the ability to mix your compost, which will let you make it in a shorter amount of time than a traditional pile.
Blomus Stainless Watering Can
You could go out and get yourself a crummy plastic watering can, but it will get bleached by the sun, dry out,and eventually crack and you’ll have to go out and get a new one. Or you could get this well-designed stainless steel one and never need to buy another watering can again. With the dual handles and long spout, this 4-liter watering can is beautiful and easy to use.
GlowPear Urban Garden Self-Watering Planter
If you’re a busy professional who also happens to enjoy gardening, you might not always get the chance to give your crops the attention they need and deserve. But technology has advanced to a place where you can circumvent your busy schedule with a self-watering planter, like this one from GlowPear. This raised planter is BPA free and food safe, made from 100% recyclable materials, and conforms to a modular system so you can mix and match as you see fit.
Worx Multifunction Aerocart
A multi-faceted device which can function as a wheelbarrow, dolly, or general cart, this versatile device is an indispensable addition to your gardening gear. Its patented design adjusts the center of gravity depending on the load for easy use and mobility, the flat-free tires will never require maintenance, and the heavy-duty construction can handle a load of up to 300 pounds.
Filson Ulility Apron
Unless you’re looking to ruin your clothes via the wear and tear of rugged yard work, you’ll want some way to keep the dirt off yourself. And there’s no better way than with this Utility Apron from Filson. The buckle-closure straps are sure to keep it securely fastened to your person, the oil-finished pockets are water resistant (so your tools inside will be kept safe), and this USA made apron is sure to last through whatever work you throw at it.
