21 Hand Tools That Make Gardening Easier

No matter what you do in life, the proper tools can make a huge difference. Having those proper tools on hand before you need them can save you a lot of time and frustration.

photo of gardening tools

So here is a list of 21 popular tools that gardeners often use and you may want to get before you need them.

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The best investment is in the tools of one’s own trade.
Benjamin Franklin

Broadfork

Bully Tools 92627 Broad Fork with Fiber Glass Handle
  • 100% Made in the USA
  • Commercial grade
  • Limited lifetime warranty

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The broadfork is a favorite of many gardeners. This is not a typical pitchfork, it is used to loosen and aerate the soil without disturbing the soil food web. This ensures your soil, that you work so hard to feed and nurture so that it can grow the finest of plants, stays healthy, and gets prepared for the next planting.


Loppers

THANOS A1101 Extendable Anvil Loppers Tree Trimmer with Compound Action,Chops Thick Branch Ease,28-40'' Telescopic Heavy Duty Branch Cutter,2 inch Clean Cut Capacity.
  • ★SHARP AND DURABLE BLADE★The heavy duty lopper blade made of SK-5 steel...
  • ★EXTENSIBLE ALUMINIUM HANDLE★ The extendable pruning lopper is designed with...
  • ★LIGHTWEIGHT AND STURDY★The rod retractable rod is made from aluminum alloy,...

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

I never knew just how valuable this tool was to me until I broke the loppers I had. This is one of those tools that make light work out of pruning your fruit trees and when you don’t have your loppers the job gets much harder. It didn’t take me long to buy another one.


Pruners

gonicc 8" Professional Premium Titanium Bypass Pruning Shears (GPPS-1003), Hand Pruners, Garden Clippers.
  • Drop forged body and handles.
  • Quality blade made of Premium Titanium steel with Ultra-fine Polishing...
  • Ergonomically designed non-slip handles are strong,lightweight,and comfortable.

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

My pruners are a tool that is always nearby when I’m working in the garden. The reality is I have a few of them strategically placed around the property so they’re never far away. It seems like there is always a plant, a shrub, or a tree that needs a little trim and this is the tool you need for that light work.


Hand Trowel

Edward Tools Bend-Proof Garden Trowel - Heavy Duty Polished Stainless Steel - Rust Resistant Oversized Garden Hand Shovel for Quicker Work - Digs Through Rocky/Heavy soils - Comfort Grip (1)
  • Most heavy duty garden hand trowel tool on the market
  • One piece stainless steel is bend proof making it the best hand shovel for...
  • Oversize trowel head makes for quicker work as soil can be moved in greater...

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The gardener’s tool of choice when it comes to popping those seedlings in the ground. If you know how to use one efficiently you can make speedy work of your planting with a good hand trowel.


Brush Clearing Sickle

Zenport K310 Brush Clearing Sickle with 9-Inch Carbon Steel Blade and 9-Inch Aluminum Handle - Gardening/Landscaping Hand Sickle with Grip
  • Designed for heavy duty clearing and scrubbing of tough vines weeds undergrowth
  • Black soft rubber grips and the 9-inch aluminum tube handle
  • Razor sharp 9-inch carbon steel straight edge hooked blade provides powerful...

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

My favorite tool when it comes to cutting down cover crops. I prefer it over power trimmers or even a machete for laying plants to the ground for the benefit of the soil. Using a good sharp hand sickle will connect you to hundreds of years of farmers who have done it the same way.


Hori Hori Weeding and Digging Knife

NISAKU NJP650 The Original Hori Hori Namibagata Japanese Stainless Steel Weeding Knife, 7.25-Inch Blade
  • QUALITY: Made in Japan with the finest stainless steel.
  • EASY MEASUREMENT: Inch markings on the blade will ensure your plants and bulbs...
  • MULTI-USE: Both serrated and straight edge blades, and is a fantastic gardening,...

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

I never knew what I was missing until I first used a Hori Hori knife in my garden. This fantastic tool makes easy work of harvesting your vegetables. This knife can also be used as a trowel to do the work of planting seedlings as well as being a great weeding tool. It really is a multipurpose tool for the gardener.


Manure Fork

The Ames Companies,Inc 2812300 True Temper 5-Tine Manure Fork
  • 5 forged oval steel tines for picking up and spreading loose material like mulch
  • Cushion end grip for comfort and control
  • 48-inch hardwood handle for a long reach

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This fork is great for loading the wheelbarrow up with manure or compost and spreading your garden gold around the beds. I find it also is a great alternative to a hay rake when you don’t have one of those around.


Digging Fork

True Temper 2812200 4-Tine Spading Digging Fork with 30 in. Hardwood D-Grip Handle, 30 Inch
  • Forged spading fork head
  • 4 diamond pointed steel tines for easy soil penetration
  • 30-inch hardwood handle for strength and durability

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This fork has thicker forks for digging into soil or compacted manure. When you need a heavy-duty pitchfork, this is the tool you need. I find this particular fork in my hand the most around the homestead.


Pruning Saw

Gardeness Pruning Folding Saw 160mm Carbon Steel Hand Saw for Trees with Three Edged Teeth – Ergonomic PP Handle Tree Branch Cutter – Ideal for Garden Pruning, Hiking, Camping. Made In Taiwan
  • ✅A MUST IN YOUR GARDENING KIT : Whether you’re an outdoor adventurer, hiker,...
  • ✅HIGH FREQUENCY HEAT TREATMENT : all the blade-tooth in this wood saw go...
  • ✅USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN : This tree branch cutter features a convenient and...

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

When the pruning job is a little too big for the loppers you need to break out a more serious tool. That’s when you need a pruning saw. You can get bigger ones with a sheath but I find the folding ones are heavy-duty enough for most jobs.


Pole Pruning Saw

DOCAZOO, 6-24 Foot Double-Duty Telescoping Extension Pole + GoSaw Attachment Pruning Pole Saw; Extendable Limb Saw and Trimmer For Tree Pruning for Branches Under 2" Diameter; Includes Feather Duster
  • 2X Strength Tree Saw with Pole For Branches Less than 2" in Diameter: This...
  • Thumb Lever Clasps to Maintain Reach: Extend to needed length for branch, then...
  • High Reach Tree Pruning Tools: Plenty of trimming reach so you never need a...

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Sometimes you need to get to things a little higher up but you don’t want the instability of working from a ladder. Having a pole pruning saw can help you handle the pruning of your larger trees on the homestead.


Weed Scythe

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If you have a larger area of weeds you need to cut or cover crops you need to drop, the Weed Scythe is a great tool. I will admit that getting used to using this tool properly and efficiently takes a little work and time but when you get it you can cut it quickly.


2 Wheel Wheelbarrow

Pure Garden 708374AKO Wheelbarrow, Green
  • LARGE CAPACITY TRAY- The tray of this wheelbarrow is made of strong...
  • DURABLE FRAME- The metal frame of the wheelbarrow features an industrial powder...
  • IMPROVED BALANCE- The two-wheeled axle on this utility dump cart greatly...

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Every permaculture homestead needs a wheelbarrow but maybe you have never used a two-wheel wheelbarrow. Once you do you will never want to go back to a single wheel again.


Garden Cart

Juggernaut Carts GW3418-GR Heavy Duty Steel Frame 400 Pound Load Capacity Outdoor Utility Garden Wagon with Pneumatic Tires, Green Finish
  • The utility wagon is ideal for hauling various lawn, garden, and home items
  • Constructed with a durable powder-coated steel frame that holds up to 400 pounds...
  • The sides of the wagon can be completely removed or folded down, suitable for...

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

I find I am constantly moving an amazing amount of stuff around the property. Tools, plants, soil, whatever you’re moving around it is nice to get it all and one trip and easily pull it around.


Reel Lawnmower

American Lawn Mower Company 1204-14 14-Inch 4-Blade Push Reel Lawn Mower, Red
  • 4-blade reel mower with a cutting width of 14” and durable 8.5” polymer...
  • This push lawn mower has an adjustable blade height of 0.5”-1.75”. Capable...
  • Manual grass cutter is environment-friendly alternative to other lawn mowers....

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Permaculture homesteaders don’t have lawns, do they? Well, some do but that isn’t why you need this tool. I find the best pathways throughout my garden and food forest are clover walkways. I won’t get into all the benefits of using clover here but the fact is you will need to occasionally cut down the height of your paths a bit and a reel mower works great for that.


Garden Rake

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Every gardener needs a heavy-duty garden rake to spread out soil and amendments on the garden. You could probably do it by hand or with a shovel but a rake makes it easier.


Yard Rake

SHADE SPRING 65 Inch Adjustable Leaf Rake Portable Lightweight Iron Metal Rake for Garden Lawn Yard Patio Cleaning
  • 🍂 Durable Material - Made of lightweight galvanized iron, the zinc layer on...
  • 🍂 Adjustable Range - Telescoping from 30 inches to 65 inches and the teeth...
  • 🍂 Lightweight - The yard leaf rake only 0.84kg. Suitable for all people...

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Having a yard rake to gather up cut grass and leaves for the compost bin is a necessity for every homeowner let alone gardener. I particularly like the ones that adjust the fan width of the rake to make it stiffer for heavier raking needs.


Scoop Shovel

AMES 2672100 Aluminum Scoop with Hardwood Handle and D-Grip, 45-Inch
  • Aluminum blade is rust proof
  • Thick aluminum alloy for maximum strength
  • Large poly D-grip for leverage and control

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Sometimes you have to move things like compost in bulk and the compost is too loose for a pitchfork. A lightweight scoop shovel will allow you to quickly move a lot of stuff very quickly saving you some time for the more fun things.


Round Point Shovel

Fiskars 44" Pro Garden Shovel for Digging, Heavy Duty Steel Gardening Tool with Ergonomic D-Handle
  • GARDENING ESSENTIAL: Heavy duty, ergonomic shovel ideal for a variety of...
  • MAXIMUM POWER AND PRECISION: Heavy-gauge spade with sharpened edge designed to...
  • LONG-LASTING AND RELIABLE: Sharpened steel blade penetrates tough soil with ease...

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

When you have got to dig dirt this is the shovel you need. the point helps you cut into hard soil with ease and will save you some frustration if you are using the wrong tool for the job.


Square Point Shovel

Bully Tools 62510 14 Ga. Square Point Shovel. Fiberglass Dgrip Handle.
  • Handle designed to increase leverage and reduce fatigue
  • Manufactured strong and durable
  • Perfect tool for digging and landscaping

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Great for that intermediate work where it’s a little too heavy and hard for a scoop shovel but the round point shovel isn’t necessary and too small. I find this shovel in my hands most often when I need a shovel.


Garden Spade

AMES 2593800 Tempered Steel Garden Spade with Hardwood Handle and D-Grip, 43-Inch
  • PERFECT SIZE FOR: Digging in the small areas between closely planted flowers and...
  • ARCHED BLADE DESIGN cuts sod in straight and curved shapes easily
  • IDEAL FOR: Digging and transplanting perennials and other flowers

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

I find this to be the best tool for digging holes for tree planting. The shape and durability of the shovel makes it great for digging in compacted, rocky, or root fill soil.


Pocket Knife

Kershaw Oso Sweet EDC Pocketknife, 3" 8Cr13MoV Steel Drop Point Blade, Assisted Folder Opening with Flipper, Liner Lock System, Black
  • DROP POINT PLAIN EDGE BLADE: Made from quality 8Cr13MoV steel for a durable...
  • DURABLE GLASS-FILLED NYLON HANDLE: The black glass-filled nylon handle has a...
  • DESIGNED WITH SAFETY IN MIND: Equipped with Kershaw’s assisted opening for...

Last update on 2024-07-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Let’s wrap up the tool list with one that maybe nobody thinks of as a necessary permaculture garden tool. When I am working around the homestead my pocket knife has to come out for a job constantly and a couple of times in my life when I lost my knife I immediately bought another one. This tool is a must-have in my opinion for every gardener.


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    Author, blogger, podcaster, homesteading and permaculture enthusiast. I have a passion for sharing what I learn and helping others on their journey. If you're looking for me, you'll usually find me in the garden.

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