We asked the garden experts what essential tools you need to reduce your gardening efforts without cutting down on your results.
Trying to keep up with the garden trends of the year is a near-impossible task when you're already short on time day to day. When you don't have the spare time to start your succession planting schedule, trim the out-of-control privacy plants or finally cut those conifers back, even entering your garden can feel overwhelming.
This is where investing in some of the highest quality efficient tools can help you reduce the amount of time needed in the garden, no matter what task you're undertaking.
As recommended by gardening experts, here are three essential tools that will support even the busiest bees in their gardening journey to tackle all tasks.
Seven essential tools for the gardener limited on time
Whether you know every easy gardening tip every gardener should know or are just starting in your vegetable growing journey, there are certain tools everyone needs.
When it comes to knowing how to care for your alluring plants on a limited time scale, certain gardening tools will help make hour-long tasks much quicker.
Here are the three essential tools every busy gardener needs...
1. Secateurs
When it comes to how to prune roses to maximise blooming or cutting back smaller shrubs in your garden, it can take a lot longer than you'd like to get the job done. Having a pair of secateurs can make these jobs so much quicker and a lot more stress-free.
"Secateurs will become an essential part of your gardening kit as you prune and tidy plants. With garden clippers - like scissors - you can cut with one hand. They're worth investing in and will last you a long time," says Jane Dobbs, lead gardener at Allans Gardeners.
Jane also points out that a high-quality pair of secateurs is perfect for easily trimming away dead or overgrown branches to promote growth and vitality.
2. Claw Cultivator
If you don't find yourself pruning that often, perhaps you're more into the rewilding trend and love the wildflower look, then using a claw cultivator for flower beds is a great time saver.
Harry Bodell, professional gardener at PriceYourJob, says, "If you have lots of flower borders or a patch for growing veggies, a claw cultivator will speed up the prep and tidying of these. Shaped like a bent fork, it can pull up weeds as well as break up and aerate the soil."
Should you have a wider border, then Harry suggests going for a long-handled version so you can reach the back without having to strain too hard.
3. Hand trowel
A true basic, the hand trowel might just be the most essential gardening tool you can buy – whether planting wildflower borders or cultivating and growing vegetables, a trowel is a must-have.
Jane says, "A hand trowel is indispensable in any garden as it’s used for digging, planting up beds and pots and helps with the weeding (to help get rid of weeds effectively). All things that are hard to do by hand."
When it comes to what type of trowel to go for, Jane suggests choosing one with a serrated edge as it will make it much quicker and easier to dig through clay soils, as it works like a knife.
"This also enables you to chop through the tough roots of weeds such as dandelions and can help remove the stems of spent perennials and annuals as you tidy your borders," she continues.
4. Wheelbarrow
Nothing slows gardening down like having to take numerous trips to and from your homemade compost heap.
This is where a wheelbarrow will become your best friend, whether it's carting mulch around your garden or transporting tools, it'll do all the heavy lifting for you.
Jane recommends investing in a good quality model that's ideal for moving even the heaviest loads of dirt and mulch around. Your back will thank you later.
5. Gardening gloves
Whether you're pruning roses or are simply sorting the garden out, keeping your hands protected whilst you're getting the job done is always of the highest importance.
“Invest in a thick pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands from cuts, blisters and harmful chemicals - should you use them in your garden - and it’ll also make cleaning up far easier," explains James Ewens, gardening expert at Green Feathers.
We recommend opting for a pair which are hard wearing but also comfortable.
6. Garden fork
When you're a frequent busy gardener, there's no escaping the fact that you'll spend a lot of time dealing with compost and soil. From improving your soil type to turning over your compost heap, working with dirt is inevitable.
Which means you'll need a good quality fork to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
"A solid garden fork is going to be your garden’s backbone. It's perfect for turning soil, breaking up clumps, and aerating the earth - very essential for healthy growth," says Mark Dwelly, Head Gardener at Audley Stanbridge Earls.
7. Watering can
While it might seem like an obvious one, you simply cannot water your garden plants properly without a trusty watering can.
"I'd definitely recommend a watering can with a rose head. Delicate seedlings and container plants need a gentle shower, not a flood! A rose head on your watering can also ensures even watering," says Mark.
If you've got a larger garden you could also try out some rainwater harvesting with a water butt. That way you've got free fluoride-free water on tap!
FAQs
What is the most essential tool of gardening?
If you're looking for ways to save money when gardening and don't have the funds to buy a shed full of new tools, there is one tool the experts recommend the most.
“I would argue that the most essential tool a gardener needs is a good-quality pair of pruning shears. Not only will these help to keep your garden in tip-top shape, but they also keep your plants healthy through the removal of dead or damaged branches, which encourages new and healthier growth," says James.
"Investing in a decent pair of shears should get you a pair that is versatile, lightweight, and can be used for a wide range of tasks, from snipping small stems to shaping larger plants," he adds.
Whilst these three tools are particularly essential, there are several more that will improve your gardening experience and make the hard work a little easier, whether that's spades, forks or even a lawnmower.
However, if you're looking for more sustainable garden ideas and have a smaller budget, why not look out for second-hand gardening tools that will do just as good of a job without the big price tag?
