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.
So here is a list of 21 popular tools that permaculture gardeners often use and you may want to get before you need them.
The best investment is in the tools of one’s own trade.
Benjamin Franklin
Broadfork
- 100% Made in the USA
- Commercial grade
- Limited lifetime warranty
- High strength fiberglass handles
- Extra thick 10 gauge steel
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- ★SHARP AND DURABLE BLADE★The heavy duty lopper blade made of SK-5 steel straight blade coated...
- ★EXTENSIBLE ALUMINIUM HANDLE★ The extendable pruning lopper is designed with a telescopic rod...
- ★LIGHTWEIGHT AND STURDY★The rod retractable rod is made from aluminum alloy, which prevents...
- ★WIDE APPLICATION★This lopping shear is suitable for fruit tree pruning, potted pruning,...
- ★RISK-FREE GUARANTEE★Customer satisfaction is our utmost priority. If you are dissatisfied with...
Last update on 2021-12-05 / 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
- Drop forged body and handles.
- Quality blade made of Premium Titanium steel with Ultra-fine Polishing Technology.
- Ergonomically designed non-slip handles are strong,lightweight,and comfortable.
- Sap groove design to help keep pruning shears from sticking by channeling off sap.
- Pruners can cut up to 3/4" diameter size tree branches.This may vary depending on tree species.
Last update on 2021-12-05 / 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
- Most heavy duty garden hand trowel tool on the market
- One piece stainless steel is bend proof making it the best hand shovel for working rocky or heavy...
- Oversize trowel head makes for quicker work as soil can be moved in greater volume
- Ergonomic rubber grip with contoured finger grips and palm rest
- Lifetime warranty - Find a way to bend this garden hand shovel and we will replace it no questions...
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- 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 cuts
- Useful in many horticulture applications
- Overall tool length measures 18-inches
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- Questions? Text 563563 to chat directly with a Nisaku expert.
- The Hori-Hori knife is ideal for gardeners and outdoorsmen alike. It is used for weeding, seeding,...
- It Features a Japanese Stainless Steel Concave Blade for digging, beveled sharp edge for slicing,...
- Nisaku means Quality. The Nisaku blade is rust-proof and scratch resistant. All the tools are made...
- The Hori-Hori knife was first implemented in Japan, it was originally used by the Matagi...
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- 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
- Use for both gardening and agricultural tasks
- Picks up bulky material for cleanup tasks
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- Forged spading fork head
- 4 diamond pointed steel tines for easy soil penetration
- 30-inch hardwood handle for strength and durability
- Poly D-Grip for added leverage and control
- Made in the USA
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- ✅160MM ULTRA-SHAPE SK5 CARBON STEEL BLADE rust proof and can sharply cut through various branch...
- ✅HIGH FREQUENCY HEAT TREATMENT, all the blade-tooth go through high frequency heat treatment...
- ✅ERGONOMIC PP HANDLE has a non-slip grip which is very user-friendly for beginners and first...
- ✅AGGRESSIVE STAGGERED TEETH ( 9 TPI ) allows ultra smooth and sharp sawing
- ✅LIGHTWEIGHT & PORTABLE: This multifunctional folding saw with 6.3 inch blade is lightweight and...
Last update on 2021-12-05 / 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
- 2X Strength Tree Saw with Pole For Branches Less than 2" in Diameter: This telescoping tree pruner...
- Thumb Lever Clasps to Maintain Reach: Extend to needed length for branch, then tighten screws with...
- High Reach Tree Pruning Tools: 28 feet of trimming reach so you never need a ladder again. For best...
- Let The Saw Do The Work: Focus on back and forth cutting motions with the pole pruner and to...
- Razor Sharp 13 Inch Bi-Directional Blade With 3X Tooth Design: Our Dual-use saws can be used as pole...
Last update on 2021-12-05 / 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
- This ergonomic scythe is ideal for cutting grass and weeds for a tidy garden, and it is great for...
- With the length of 4' 7'', the steel snath has two short wooden handles at right angles with one...
- The 1' 11'' curved blade is made of durable steel for years of service.
- Delivery also includes a grinding stone for sharpening the blade to ensure smooth cutting.
- Ideal for mowing and weeding, this ergonomic file is ideal for cutting gardens, making it ideal for...
Last update on 2021-12-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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
- LARGE CAPACITY TRAY- The tray of this wheelbarrow is made of strong polyurethane, has a 5 cubic foot...
- DURABLE FRAME- The metal frame of the wheelbarrow features an industrial powder coat paint to...
- IMPROVED BALANCE- The two-wheeled axle on this utility dump cart greatly improves the balance and...
- EASY TO USE- The handle features a comfort grip to make the wheelbarrow easier to push, pull or...
- PRODUCT DETAILS- Materials: Polyurethane and Metal. Overall Dimensions: 56.5” L x 19” H....
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- Steel mesh crate with powder-coated finish for durability and corrosion resistance
- D-style handle for pulling the wagon
- Four 10" pneumatic rubber tires for use outdoors and on most flooring types
- Steel mesh crate with powder-coated finish for durability and corrosion resistance
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- 4-blade reel with a cutting width of 14” and durable 8.5” polymer wheels for maximum...
- Mechanical lawn mower with an adjustable blade height of 0.5”-1.75” with scissor action cut
- Manual grass cutter blades made of heat-treated alloy steel that stays sharp for years
- Environment-friendly alternative to gas-powered lawn mowers which is pollution-free and noise-free;...
- Capable of cutting grass up to 4 inches tall
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- 100% Made in the USA
- Commercial grade
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Extra thick 10 gauge steel
- 16 tine steel head
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- 🍂 Durable Material - Made of lightweight galvanized iron, the zinc layer on the surface for less...
- 🍂 Adjustable Range - Telescoping from 30 inches to 65 inches and the teeth width from 7 to 21...
- 🍂 Lightweight - The yard leaf rake only 0.84kg. Suitable for all people without burden ,...
- 🍂 Rubber Handle Design - The rubber adjustable handle is easier to hold and more comfortable than...
- 🍂 Package Include - The package includes a rake and a pair of garden gloves. Operating the rake...
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- Aluminum blade is rust proof
- Thick aluminum alloy for maximum strength
- Large poly D-grip for leverage and control
- Hardwood handle for strength and durability
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- The Fiskars Pro D-handle Digging Shovel features an extruded aluminum handle and double-bolted...
- Extended shank improves strength and has an optimized angle for digging and prying
- Heavy-gauge steel stands up to any task, while the head’s sharpened edge makes it easier to dig,...
- D-handle keeps your wrist in a neutral position to reduce strain, while its shorter length allows...
- Full lifetime warranty
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- Handle designed to increase leverage and reduce fatigue
- Manufactured strong and durable
- Perfect tool for digging and landscaping
- Wide forward step provides greater control
- High strength fiberglass handle
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- Use in the confined areas between vegetables and closely planted flowers
- Arched blade design cuts sod in straight and curved shapes easily
- Dig and transplant perennials and other flowers
- Poly D-grip adds more leverage as you work
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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
- 3.1-inch, easy to maintain 8Cr13MoV stainless steel blade with a non-reflective, satin appearance
- Black Glass-filled nylon handle with comfortable Contour and textured "scale" pattern, for a unique...
- Great for maintenance professionals, anglers, backpackers, hikers, landscapers, campers and more
- Feature rich handle includes Speed Safe assisted opening, a secure locking liner, convenient...
- Classic drop-point blade is perfect for a number of tasks like opening packages, cutting cordage,...
Last update on 2021-12-04 / 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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