Hand Gardening Tools
What Hand Gardening Tools are Used for Which Purposes
Hand trowels are used for making planting holes for plants and bulbs. It can also be used for lifting small plants in confined spaces such as rock gardens. It is also used for thinning out and transplanting vegetables It is ideal for use in the potting shed, mixing composts and filling larger tubs and pots with soil.
Hand forks are used for turning over the top 1.5cm (6 inches) of soil and for general weeding in confined spaces such as rock gardens and between vegetables and closely planted flowers and shrubs. They are also used for thinning out and transplanting vegetables
Grubbing tools such as Daisy Grubbers are used for removing weeds from lawns without causing damage to the grass. Unwanted bulbs and plants can be removed from lawns with this hand tool
Hand cultivators are used for breaking up compacted soil in confined spaces such as vegetable plots, between closely planted flowers and shrubs and in rock gardens. It is also ideal for spreading fertilisers and compost in small areas
Rockery trowels are used for weeding, removing plants and making planting holes in rock gardens. With it’s narrow design it is also ideal for use in vegetable plots and between closely planted flowers and shrubs
Dibbers are used for making planting holes. Smaller versions are used for seeds and transplanting seedlings in pots and seed trays, flats
Bulb planters are used for planting bulbs in gardens and lawns
Important to Understand
Every person will have their own favorite hand gardening tools. There is no "right" and no "wrong" answer to which tools you're most comfortable using. Here are my two favorite gardening tools.
Specific Garden Tool Information
The Bulb Planter is a very old tool that has survived nicely into the modern garden because it does one thing very well with a minium of fuss and muss.
The Daisy Grubber is a small hand tool used to dig out weeds in lawns without damaging the lawn.
Hand Dibber or Dibbler is a small pointed tool used in making holes for seeds or transplants - here are some things to be aware of in buying or using this tool.
Hand Cultivator is perfect for small cultivating jobs in small gardens.
Hand Fork is a useful small hand gardening tool for general cultivation - here's what to look for
Hand Trowel is one of those tools I've had for 25 years or more - the same one - here's the deal on them.
Rockery Trowel is a thinner version of the hand trowel - here's more information on this specialized tool
Rose Gardening Toolsand understanding which are important and which are frills is just good gardening
Shovels and Spades
Garden Spades - here's a listing of which spades you want to consider using for which garden jobThe border spade is a smaller bladed shovel used for transplanting (sometimes called a transplanting spade)
Rabbiting Spade is one of my favorite garden tools for working with perennials and shrubs.
Planting Spade
Forks
Garden Forks here's how to tell which garden fork is best for you.The Border Fork is an interesting garden fork and beloved by cotage and perennial gardeners for its abilty to work in confined spaces.
Potato Fork is another classic fork - for general use as well as the more obvious use of digging out vegetables.
Rakes
Which of these garden rakes do you really need? Here's the answerThe Border Rake is an interesting tool for working around plants and giving the garden that extra little touch it deserves
The Flat Rake
Leaf Rake
Hoes
Like all good tools, look for one piece blades (no riveting the blades to the shafts) that won't give out under use (welding is acceptable - riveting is not). Swan necks tend to be easier to work with and good quality is never wasted in the long run when it comes to garden tools. In my opinion, wooden handles feel better and with a bit of a sanding if they feel rough will last for years.
Which garden hoe is right for your job?
The Dutch Hoe is the most popular hoe in the gardening world and rightfully so.
Canterbury Hoe is an antique gardening tool that is very hard to find. Here's what you used to use it for and a modern equivalent.
The Draw Hoe is the second most popular hoe and here's what you use it for and what to look for.
The Onion Hoe is sharpened on the edges as well as the bottom - and is a good tool for specific purposes listed here.
The Warren Hoe is a specialist hoe that isn't used by many gardeners but you never know so here it is...
Click here to ask about hand gardening tools
I have located one source for hand gardening tools. If you are interested, just click the photo below.
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