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

Use the right tool, for the right job, in the right way. That common saying makes sense but leads to a question: 'What is the right tool?' Many dedicated gardeners have discovered the tools, apparel, and equipment that make gardening easier. They spend a lot of time in the garden and, through trial and error, have found what works best for them. Today there are so many options available, choosing what is best for you has become a personal and educated decision.

Below are our recommendations.

Gloves Blisters… need we say more. A top-quality pair of gardening gloves are a must. Your hands take a beating because of the friction created by using the tools needed to dig, prune, and plant, and also because plants and ground can be sharp, thorny, and abrasive. In addition to standard, wrist-length gloves, you may need a pair of long-sleeve gloves to protect your forearms against thorns. A good pair of garden gloves will save you days of pain and reduce your bandage budget.

There are a plethora of garden glove designs and materials to choose from. If you want a pair specifically designed for the human hand and gardening, the Bionic ReliefGrip gardening gloves are a great choice. You can learn more about them at bionicgloves.com and shop for top-rated gloves HERE.

Garden Trowel Our #1 garden tool is the garden trowel. No other tool offers the diversity of use. A garden trowel can be used for digging, weeding, planting, shoveling, splitting tubers, and edging. If there is one "must-have" garden tool, it's the garden trowel.

If you are ready to buy one, check out Amazon's Top-rated Garden Trowels.

Hori Hori Garden Knife For those unfamiliar, a hori hori knife is a Japanese gardening tool that can perform the tasks of various other tools such as planting, harvesting, weeding, cutting, removing roots, and more.

Can it replace a garden trowel? This is a great video that compares both: Hori Hori vs Garden Trowel.

If you are in the market to buy a hori hori, visit: Top Rated Hori Hori Knives.

Pruners/Shears Growing healthy plants and achieving your planned growth requires frequent pruning. This includes managing overgrowth, plant styling, removing dead flowers, and trimming branches.

There are many manufacturers, styles, and sizes of pruners and shears. One brand that offers patented gear technology that makes cutting easier is FISKARS®. See them at their Amazon store here: FISKARS.

Hand Rake A hand rake is a small three-pronged claw tool that is great for prepping for planting – loosening dirt, turning soil, and clearing debris from your garden beds. It's a "close-up" tool for confined, crowded spaces, and is less risky for damaging plants.

See hand rake options HERE.

Shovel Gardening isn't always light and delicate work. Sometimes brute force and volume are important. A shovel is a must-have for getting the larger jobs done. Its longer handle provides the leverage to cut, separate and lift dirt, sod, and rocks which would take much more time and energy with a small hand tool.

Are some shovels better than others? Absolutely. The Radius Pro Shovel is a high-performance, all-purpose digging tool featuring a round-point sharpened stainless steel blade, large circular handle, and extra-wide raised forward kick that offers greater leverage, easy digging, and reduced strain. Check it out at radiusgarden.com. Learn more and buy it HERE.

Kneeler Seat Tools for digging and cutting are obvious necessities, but tools that help you garden more comfortably are often overlooked. A padded kneeler and seat will save your knees and back, allowing you to garden longer and more comfortably.

Highly rated garden kneeler seats are available for around $40. That may be the best $40 you will ever spend. Any of them will make your gardening easier and more comfortable. One example is the Abco Tech Garden Kneeler & Seat. It has a strong metal frame, durable seat, and knee pad, includes a tool pouch, and is foldable. Kneeler Seats on Amazon.com.

Garden Hat Protection from sun and a slight drizzle of rain is a benefit in our Northwest weather. A waterproof garden hat with sun protection will allow you to spend more time outdoors. Choose one with a wide brim and neck flap for the best protection. See them here.

SPECIAL MENTION – Ergonomic Handles Easi-Grip Add On Handles will convert your hand tools to an ergonomically designed tool for easier use and better control. The unique handle design helps prevent injury, pain, and fatigue. Click here to see them on Amazon.

If you have any landscaping needs, CLICK HERE to request a consultation.