8 Essential Tools for the Kitchen Gardener
Whether you’re a gardening novice or are after a refresher, this useful guide will help you to get a handle on the tools you need
Vegetable gardeners need surprisingly few tools. This is especially true if you’re growing in raised beds or containers, which are perfectly designed for working with gloved hands. However, there are times when the right tools can be really handy.
If you’re a new gardener, start with just a few essential tools, then slowly add to your collection as you begin to learn your gardening style and needs. Start with mid-priced tools that are strong and sturdy. Over time, you might want to accquire high-quality versions of your favourites, like a hand-forged trowel, for example.
Keep the size of your garden in mind when choosing your tools. Balcony gardeners will do fine with just a trowel and a couple of hand tools, while backyard gardeners may benefit from a range of full-sized ones. If you have friendly neighbours, consider sharing big and infrequently used tools, such as wheelbarrows. And give yourself a bonus point if you can find versions with brightly coloured handles as gardeners are notorious for misplacing tools while they work.
If you’re a new gardener, start with just a few essential tools, then slowly add to your collection as you begin to learn your gardening style and needs. Start with mid-priced tools that are strong and sturdy. Over time, you might want to accquire high-quality versions of your favourites, like a hand-forged trowel, for example.
Keep the size of your garden in mind when choosing your tools. Balcony gardeners will do fine with just a trowel and a couple of hand tools, while backyard gardeners may benefit from a range of full-sized ones. If you have friendly neighbours, consider sharing big and infrequently used tools, such as wheelbarrows. And give yourself a bonus point if you can find versions with brightly coloured handles as gardeners are notorious for misplacing tools while they work.
Weeder
Sometimes a trowel just isn’t enough to remove pesky weeds, so consider having a specialised weeding tool. Several types are available, and the best one for you will depend on the type of weeds you’re dealing with. The one shown here is a lifesaver for removing dandelions and other deep-rooted weeds from delicate raised beds and narrow spaces.
Sometimes a trowel just isn’t enough to remove pesky weeds, so consider having a specialised weeding tool. Several types are available, and the best one for you will depend on the type of weeds you’re dealing with. The one shown here is a lifesaver for removing dandelions and other deep-rooted weeds from delicate raised beds and narrow spaces.
Shovel
When it comes to adding soil or compost to beds, digging manure under or hilling up potatoes, a good shovel is essential. Several types are available, including ones with a round or square point, and a long or short handle. Try out the different models until you find the one you’re most comfortable with.
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When it comes to adding soil or compost to beds, digging manure under or hilling up potatoes, a good shovel is essential. Several types are available, including ones with a round or square point, and a long or short handle. Try out the different models until you find the one you’re most comfortable with.
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Hard rake
A hard rake is useful for a variety of tasks, from incorporating compost to smoothing out raised beds. Be sure to practise rake safety: never leave your rake lying down with the tines facing up. Aside from being a cartoon joke, stepping on a rake can cause serious injury. Lean it against a fence or lay it down with the tines facing downwards.
A hard rake is useful for a variety of tasks, from incorporating compost to smoothing out raised beds. Be sure to practise rake safety: never leave your rake lying down with the tines facing up. Aside from being a cartoon joke, stepping on a rake can cause serious injury. Lean it against a fence or lay it down with the tines facing downwards.
Wheelbarrow
If you’re working in a large garden, a wheelbarrow can be very helpful. While you may not use it every day, it’s a lifesaver when it comes to moving soil and distributing compost. Look for one with sturdy wheels that’s narrow enough to fit between your beds.
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If you’re working in a large garden, a wheelbarrow can be very helpful. While you may not use it every day, it’s a lifesaver when it comes to moving soil and distributing compost. Look for one with sturdy wheels that’s narrow enough to fit between your beds.
Want to grow your own fruit and veg? Discover the best plants to get you started
Digging fork
When it comes to aerating compost or spreading mulch, a digging fork – a type of pitchfork with wide, sharp blades – can come in really handy.
When it comes to aerating compost or spreading mulch, a digging fork – a type of pitchfork with wide, sharp blades – can come in really handy.
Handheld pruners
Although you’ll have little use for pruners in vegetable beds, they’re essential for tackling fruit trees and can be very useful when you need to clip back shrubs that encroach on your raised beds. You can also use them to keep spreading raspberry canes in check, too. Find a sharp, strong pair that feels comfortable in your hands.
Although you’ll have little use for pruners in vegetable beds, they’re essential for tackling fruit trees and can be very useful when you need to clip back shrubs that encroach on your raised beds. You can also use them to keep spreading raspberry canes in check, too. Find a sharp, strong pair that feels comfortable in your hands.
Kitchen scissors and a salad spinner
Of all the tools a vegetable gardener can have, a sturdy pair of kitchen scissors is perhaps the most useful. Use them to harvest your crops, then pop your harvested veggies into a salad spinner for easy washing. You’ll probably find yourself using these tools more often than anything that’s designed for gardening.
Maintaining tools: Get the most out of your tools by looking after them. Soak off caked-on mud, then remove any soil using a wire brush. Use a rag to apply vegetable oil to the metal and wood parts (avoid using motor oil on tools that are used for vegetable beds). This regular maintenance will prevent rust and keep your tools in good shape for years. It’s also worthwhile learning how to sharpen your tools. Store them in a garage or shed to keep them away from rain, snow and mud, which can cause them to rust.
TELL US…
What’s your favourite garden tool? Do you have an unusual use for it? Tell us about it in the Comments below.
Of all the tools a vegetable gardener can have, a sturdy pair of kitchen scissors is perhaps the most useful. Use them to harvest your crops, then pop your harvested veggies into a salad spinner for easy washing. You’ll probably find yourself using these tools more often than anything that’s designed for gardening.
Maintaining tools: Get the most out of your tools by looking after them. Soak off caked-on mud, then remove any soil using a wire brush. Use a rag to apply vegetable oil to the metal and wood parts (avoid using motor oil on tools that are used for vegetable beds). This regular maintenance will prevent rust and keep your tools in good shape for years. It’s also worthwhile learning how to sharpen your tools. Store them in a garage or shed to keep them away from rain, snow and mud, which can cause them to rust.
TELL US…
What’s your favourite garden tool? Do you have an unusual use for it? Tell us about it in the Comments below.
When it’s time to plant your tomato seedlings or move a chive plant to a new location, a good trowel is your best friend. Use this multi-purpose tool to help with transplanting, weeding, removing stones and dividing herbs that are spreading without damaging the roots of nearby veggies.
Look for a trowel with a comfortable handle and sturdy, sharp sides that can cut into the soil. Trowel blades come in different widths, from narrow transplanters (ideal for planting seedlings) to broader options. If your budget allows, get one transplanter and one broad trowel as you’ll find both useful.
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