Top 5 Gardening Tools:

1:  HORI HORI: This one does it all. Weeding, small plantings and cultivating, the hori hori proves invaluable in a variety of situations. 

2:  SPRING RAKE: Also known as a leaf rake, these guys will pull the leaves and debris into a pile and, when used properly, can clear garden beds of clutter even when mulched.

3:  ROUND-TIP SHOVEL: This classic implement will help you plant, cultivate beds, dig out the stuff you don’t want and it does an admirable job of “throwing” dirt and other materials.  If you get one type of shovel, this is your best choice for overall functionality.

4:  PRUNERS: There’s a reason you see the pros carrying these in holsters on their hips like wild-west garden gunmen!  They cut up to about 1” diameter limbs and stalks and in a pinch act as a weeding tool if your hori hori isn’t on hand (be sure to clean and sharpen them after shoving ’em in the dirt!).  If you can, invest in a good pair of pruners vs buying the cheapies.  You’ll be rewarded with greater durability, better cutting power and more opportunities to re-sharpen your pruners.

5:  BUCKET: Less glamorous than most gardening tools, the bucket holds its own through functionality.  Got a pile of debris you need to move?  Bucket.  Need to mulch a garden bed that you can’t reach with a wheelbarrow?  Bucket. Your hose won’t reach your fresh plantings to water them in?  Bucket. The leaves are raked, but they aren’t where they need to be?  Bucket.  You get the point. The bucket is your multi-purpose option for moving stuff!