When it comes to spending time outside, nothing is more relaxing and practical than gardening. Not only do gardens add color to the yard, but they can also increase your property’s value. Though gardening is physically challenging, it’s easier when you know which gardening tools to use for the job. Here are a few of the most versatile tools and how to use them effectively.

4 Top Gardening Tools Everyone Needs to Have

1. Hoe

When laying a garden bed, it’s essential to prepare the soil for planting. This involves breaking up tightly packed dirt and natural grasses. Though this can be done with a shovel, it’s more effective to use a gardening hoe. Hoes feature a metal half-circle attached to a long handle, allowing gardeners to effectively chop dirt without straining their back.

2. Garden Shears

As the garden grows, the plants will eventually need to be pruned to maintain their shape and growth levels. Standard household scissors are often not strong enough to make a clean cut and end up damaging the plant. Dedicated gardening shears will make cutting away dead growth and controlling the shape of shrubs and flowers easy.

3. Hand Trowel

This is a narrow, hand-held shovel specifically designed for working in tight garden beds. The narrow shovel blade can be used to remove weeds in planter boxes and garden beds with ease, but it’s also ideal for digging planting holes for seeds and seedlings.

4. Full-Size Shovel

For larger jobs — like planting juvenile trees and bushes — you’ll need a larger shovel than a hand trowel. A standard, full-size shovel will come in handy for digging and placing dirt and soil around the garden bed. Look for a shovel with a comfortably long handle. This will help reduce strain on your lower back while you’re digging and lifting heavier soil loads.

Looking for new gardening tools to help you make your home’s landscaping look its best? Stop by Farmers Cooperative in Live Oak, FL. Their staff is proud to provide the best tools for all your home improvement projects. Whether you need building materials to complete a new shed or want advice on how to build an ideal garden bed, their team is ready to help. Learn more about their available products online and call (386) 362-1459 for more information.