Starting your own at-home farm does not have to require a large investment. In fact, maintaining a garden requires fewer tools than you may think. In some cases, you can even rely on simply working with your hands. Still, it pays to have some valuable tools on hand to be able to take on any gardening project.

It is recommended that new gardeners start with some basic essentials, and then grow their collection as needed. You will want to skip on flimsy plastic tools, and find more durable materials that will last longer. This will save you time, money and frustration in the long run.

The location in which you’re planting your garden will help determine which tools are right for you. Smaller gardens that are found on balconies or windowsills can get by with just a few standard hand tools. However, those looking to grow larger more sustainable gardens will likely need to invest in a few larger sized items. At Alair Homes, we frequently use and recommend the following tools.

A Tool Box or Basket

You would be amazed at how easy it is to misplace tools while gardening. It’s wise to invest in a decent sized tool box or basket in order to easily organize and keep your tools safe. While a basket may be easier to carry from place to place, a box will help maintain the quality of your tools so they last longer.

Hand Weeder

No one likes dealing with weeds, but having to reach for them in small and tight places makes the job twice as difficult. Be sure to pick up a hand weeder to save you the trouble of digging up weeds by hand.

Water Breaker

Brand new baby plants can’t handle the force from a strong water hose. To make sure you don’t destroy any of them while attempting to care for them purchase a water beaker. A water beaker weakens the force of the water coming from your hose to keep your plants safe.

Durable Washable Gloves

Surprisingly enough there are a wide variety of gardening gloves on the market. Be sure to pick up a pair that is strong enough to protect you from thorns and sharp tools, and easy to clean.

Hand Pruners

You may come across some branches while pruning that are harder to break off than others. It’s wise to have a strong hand pruner around to leave clean cuts rather than ugly pieces.

Japanese Gardening Knife

A Japanese garden knife is an incredibly versatile gardening tool that comes in handy for sawing, cutty, digging and measuring. Its all-in-one capability makes gardening much easier and can save you from having to purchase additional tools.

Transplant Spade

Once your young plants are ready to take on more space you are going to need to transplant them. A good transplant spade is ideal for digging and transplanting at your desired depth.

Hand Rake

Easy to use and multifunctional, the hand rake allows you to easily collect leaves and debris or tend to smaller areas of your garden. They come in a variety of sizes and styles.