Gardening Tools for Beginners

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The Grow Up team

We break down the essential tools to get you growing

I want to start gardening but have no idea what tools I need

Growing your own fruit and vegetables is a wonderful activity that brings both physical and mental benefits, but you might be wondering what are the best gardening tools for beginners. 

Here, we list out the basics, from essentials (stuff you probably should have) and the nice to-haves (for the more dedicated grower). If you haven’t already, check out our Getting Started page as a brilliant place to begin.

Growing your own food can also help you save money, and provide you with loads of lovely fresh and healthy produce. As a result, there’s no need to spend an absolute fortune on everything. However, please try and buy quality tools, as they’re less like to break after light use. We’re sure you’ve heard the phrase “Buy cheap, buy twice” before. Well, this is true for gardening tools.

Oh – and always take care of them by cleaning and storing them inside after use.

Gardening hand tools laid on a table

What are the essentials?

Hand Trowel and Fork 

One of the most essential gardening tools for a beginner is a hand trowel and/ or fork. These tools are used for digging small holes, transplanting seedlings, and removing weeds. When choosing a hand trowel and fork, make sure to look for ones with comfortable grips and sturdy blades. We recommend something like this.

Secateurs

Secateurs are basically your gardening scissors. Use them for cutting and shaping plants, particularly fruit trees and shrubs. They are also used for cutting back dead branches and stems. Look for Secateurs with a comfortable grip and sharp blades.

Watering Can

Watering is a vital part of gardening, particularly during the summer months when temperatures rise. Look for a watering can with a comfortable handle and a rose attachment to diffuse the water for gentle watering of delicate plants.

Gardening Gloves

Gardening gloves are essential to protect your hands from dirt, thorns, and other sharp objects that can be found in the garden. And they make handling gardening tools for beginners much easier! They also provide a better grip on tools and prevent blisters. Look for gloves made from durable materials that fit well and provide good dexterity.

Woman holding a gardening tool for beginners and plant seedling
Lady holding a hose with rose attachment

What else might I need?

Garden Fork

A garden fork is used for digging and aerating soil. It is also used for turning compost and breaking up hard soil. Look for a fork with sturdy tines and a comfortable handle.

Wheelbarrow

If you’re doing more heavy-duty planting and growing, then definitely grab a Wheelbarrow. It’s an essential tool for transporting large quantities of soil, compost, mulch, and plants. It is also used for removing debris and for moving heavy items around the garden. Look for a wheelbarrow with sturdy wheels and a comfortable grip.

Spade

And if you are moving loads of soil around and digging bigger beds, then you’ll need a spade. Use these for digging trenches and filling your beds with soil and compost.

Garden Rake

A garden rake is great for levelling the soil and removing debris. It is also used for creating furrows for planting and for spreading compost and mulch. Look for a rake with sturdy tines and a comfortable grip.

Garden Hoe

A garden hoe is used for digging and cultivating the soil. It is also used for removing weeds and breaking up soil clumps. Look for a hoe with a sharp blade and a comfortable handle.

Some inspiration

Growing fruits and vegetables can be a rewarding experience, and if you’re just starting out, think about what the best gardening tools for beginners would be without breaking the bank.

As a beginner gardener in the UK, investing in some essential tools now can help you grow healthy and delicious produce during the summer months.

We’ve even made it easy for you by putting an ideas list online here so that you can see the tools and equipment we use here at The Grow Up. 

Happy digging/ tending/ pruning/ planting!

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