Recommended hand tools for the new gardener

Selecting the best gardening tools that are fit for purpose at the best price is no easy task. Most gardening tools are of low quality and will only last a few seasons at most and even less for the professional gardener carrying out heavy gardening work.

The list below is the basic gardening tools you should look to start gardening with. All the tools listed below are used by the GardenAdvice teams every day and recommended by us based on price and quality.

Spade and forks – Ideally spades and forks need to have a wooden shaft which is replaceable and a forged head. Lots of Spades and forks for sale are manufactured with pressed metals which will break and bend the first time they are used for heavy work such as digging clay soils etc 

The two brands we recommend for spades and forks are Kent and Stowe and Burgon and Balls, these brands are slightly more expensive and most but will last for years whereas other brands will only last a few months. 

Shovel – The key to selecting a good shovel is to select one with weight. Then you are shovelling gravel and soil etc the weight of the shovel when you impact the pile of material will create a follow-through action rather than with a lighter shovel just bouncing off the pile or soil or gravel etc 

Unlike spades and forks which we recommend wooden shafts shovels are best with a steel shaft. we have found Bulldog to be the best brand for shovels

Secateurs and knives – No question the best Secateurs and knives with most professional gardeners is from Felco. Secateurs Felco number 2 and Felco Budding Knife. More expensive than most Secateurs and knives but you are paying for quality that will last a lifetime.  It’s worth looking around at the interest as they are often on special deal prices.

Loppers – Used for cutting back shrubs etc with the cuts needing to be over 20mm. You can spend a fortune on loppers up to £100 but as loppers tend to be for heavy pruning the GardenAdvice team tend to spend less around £35 and replace them once a year. We recommend Bulldog Ratchet Loppers Ideally, your loppers need to be extendable to reach into established shrubs 

Yard Brush – No gardening task is complete without the final touch of a good brushing of the area of the task. A good stiff yard brush is a key tool for any gardener. 

Rake and wire gardening rake – Simple garden rakes and wire garden rakes are useful for raking up prunings and leaves in the autumn 

Boots and wellingtons – Boots should be steel-toe-capped for heavy work and using machinery. Wellingtons normally used in wet cold conditions are best lined with neoprene for warmth. The GardenAdvice teams recommended garden clothing supplier Hoggs of fife 

MyGardenTeam and tool loan – If you are a GardenAdvice MyGardenTeam member we have a free tool loan service to help you with your gardening projects. Alternatively, If you are interested in purchasing your own tools, check out these hand tools for gardening and landscaping from Botanex.