7 essential outdoor gardening tools

Keep your garden and lawn looking tidy with a reliable leaf rake. Available with long flexible plastic tines or durable steel tines, this tool makes it easy to clear away fallen leaves and debris.

The bow rake is a tool similar to the leaf rake. It helps to bring to the surface pebbles and debris that are buried in the soil. It is also useful for loosening the soil before planting or breaking up the roots of invasive plants.

With its broad, strong tines, the bow rake is a fantastic tool for aerating your garden soil and tackling pesky weeds. It's also great for clearing away larger debris like twigs and small stones, which helps make yard cleanup a breeze.

No gardener's toolkit is complete without a reliable pruner. From trimming flowers to shaping shrubs and even tackling small branches, these versatile tools are a must-have for maintaining a healthy and beautiful garden.

Investing in a quality pruner is essential for making clean, precise cuts that promote quick healing and prevent the spread of disease.

Every gardener needs a reliable shovel. Whether you're planting, transplanting, or just moving soil, a good shovel will make the job easier. Garden shovels are available in round or square shapes, and some even come with a footrest for added comfort and leverage.

For smaller gardening jobs, reach for a trowel. Its short, cushioned handle makes digging small holes a breeze, making it perfect for planting and repotting. This versatile tool is also handy for harvesting root vegetables and adding compost to your garden beds.

While it may not be the most glamorous tool in your shed, the garden hoe is a true workhorse when it comes to maintaining your vegetable garden. It makes quick work of turning the soil and removing unwanted weeds. Thanks to its sharp blade, the garden hoe can slice through even the toughest weeds with ease.

Hoes are available in various widths, making them a great choice for any size vegetable garden. 

When it comes to weeding and light soil cultivation, a good cultivator is a must-have. The 3-tine or 5-tine cultivator is a great choice for tackling larger areas. Its curved tines are designed to penetrate the top layer of soil, making it easy to loosen the soil for better aeration.

For smaller, more delicate weeding tasks, a hand cultivator is the perfect tool. Its short handle and ergonomic grip make it much easier to remove weeds.

After you're done in the garden, take a few minutes to clean your tools. This simple step can go a long way in preventing the spread of pests and diseases, and it will also help your tools last longer. A quick wipe-down with a cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol is all it takes!