Essential Gardening Tools Every Homeowner Needs (And How to Use Them)

Pruning shears

Pruning shears (also called hand pruners) are designed to trim and prune thin plant branches or stems. The cutting capacity varies depending on the shears, but it’s usually around 5/8-to 1-inch. You cut by squeezing the handles just like scissors. Always wear safety glasses and gloves when pruning, and ensure your shears are sharp and clean before use.

1. Open the shears and place them at the collar (just above where the branch joins the main trunk) of the branch you want to cut.
2. With one hand, squeeze the shear handles together to cut the branch while holding the branch in the other hand.
3. Once a clean cut has been made, remove the branch and dispose of cuttings properly.

Hand trowel

A hand trowel serves multiple purposes, including digging, planting, weeding, and mixing. It is a small tool with a sharp blade designed to penetrate the soil, allowing you to loosen it and create small holes for planting bulbs and seeds. Keep the blade clean and sharp for best results.

1. To remove weeds, use the tip of the trowel to loosen the soil and uproot weeds completely.
2. To dig a hole, firmly insert the trowel blade into the soil and pull it back to scoop out the soil. Repeat this process to enlarge the hole as needed.

Round point shovel/spade

This tool is effective for digging holes in the soil and moving material. To avoid injury, use proper body mechanics by bending your knees and keeping your back straight.

1. To use it, insert the blade tip into the soil where you want to create a hole.
2. Step on the back of the blade with one foot to use your body weight for driving it deeper into the ground.
3. Once the blade is firmly in place, use the shovel’s handle to lift the soil and remove it. Avoid lifting more than you can handle comfortably.

Loppers

If you notice dense plant growth in your bushes, trees, etc., you will want to use loppers to remove it. Loppers can cut wood up to around two inches thick, depending on the model. Wear safety glasses and gloves, and check that the blades are sharp before starting.

1. Choose which branches you want to remove.
2. Open the blades and place them at the collar of the branch.
3. In a single motion with firm pressure, use both hands to close the blades together to cut off the branch.

Bow rake

A bow rake is a versatile tool useful for leveling soil, breaking it up, spreading mulch, and removing unwanted weeds or rocks. Keep the metal tines clean and check for bent or broken tines before use.

1. To level the ground, use the metal tines to crush and break down clumps of dirt.
2. Turn the rake over and use the flat side to evenly push and pull the dirt around to make it level.
3. To remove rocks from the soil, drag the tines through the dirt using a pushing and pulling motion.

Pruning saw

A pruning saw is a good tool for removing branches that are too big for loppers. Always wear safety glasses and gloves, and ensure the saw blade is sharp for clean cuts that promote plant health.

1. Select the branch that needs to be cut, and make the cut at the collar.
2. Grip the branch with one hand while you start sawing with the other hand.
3. To cut the branch, move the blade in a back-and-forth motion, making sure to use full strokes.
4. Continue sawing until you have made a clean cut.

Hedge trimmer

A hedge trimmer is an excellent tool for trimming and shaping hedges and bushes. However, it should not be used for cutting thick branches. There are manual hedge trimmers, battery-powered, gas-powered, and corded hedge trimmers. Cordless ones are typically less powerful than corded and petrol-powered models. Regardless of the option you choose, you must wear eye protection, gloves, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt to safeguard your skin. Always inspect the tool for damage before use.

1. Start cutting from the ground and work your way up the side of the bush. Use a slow gliding motion while keeping the hedge trimmer vertical.
2. When trimming, be sure to cut in the opposite direction to remove any branches you may have missed.
3. After trimming the sides, you can proceed to trim the tops of the bushes.

Square nose shovel

Unlike the round-point shovel, the square nose shovel does not specialize in digging but in moving material like dirt, gravel, sand, and mulch. You may hear people refer to it as the transfer shovel. Use proper lifting techniques to protect your back.

1. To move the material, position the flat blade against a solid surface, such as pavement, and scoop up the material in one motion.
2. Use the handle to leverage the shovel with the material, especially if the material is heavy.
3. Use the flat blade to shape or level the material as needed.

Leaf rake

A leaf rake is a lightweight rake in the shape of a fan designed to glide over the grass without damaging it while removing unwanted leaves. A leaf rake can also be used to rake dead grass or thatch.

1. When you’re raking, keep the rake close to your body to avoid back strain.
2. Use small, dragging-raking movements instead of reaching out too far with your arms.
3. Work in smaller, manageable piles of leaves/grass around your yard. This way, you won’t end up with one large pile that’s difficult to handle.

Drain spade

This distinctive-looking spade has a long, narrow blade and a pointed tip, designed for digging narrow holes in the ground. It makes it easier to penetrate hard dirt or rocky ground, particularly for digging post holes for items like fences, plants, mailboxes, or basketball hoops. Wear gloves and use proper body mechanics to prevent injury.

1. To dig a hole with a drain spade, insert the blade tip into the dirt where you want to create a hole.
2. Step on the back of the blade with one foot, using your body weight to drive it deeper into the ground.
3. Once the blade is firmly in place, rock the spade back and forth to loosen up the dirt.
4. Use the shovel’s handle to lift the soil and remove it carefully. Repeat the process as needed.

FAQ

When is the best time to prune trees in my yard?

Pruning trees is most effective when they are in a dormant state, which typically occurs during the winter months, from November to March. During this period, the trees conserve energy and channel their nutrients, making it easier to trim branches without causing undue stress.

What time of year should you prune shrubs and bushes?

Prune shrubs and bushes in late winter or early spring to reduce stress on the plants during pruning.

When is the best time to plant grass seed in the Midwest?

For optimal results, it is best to plant grass seeds in late summer or early fall. During this time, temperatures are generally mild, and there is often sufficient moisture in the soil and air, which helps the seeds germinate and establish strong roots. Planting at this time allows the grass to develop before the colder winter months, ensuring a healthy lawn that can withstand the challenges of winter weather.

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