Buying garden tools

Creating and maintaining a garden requires skill, time and patience — and equally importantly — the right equipment. Before buying garden tools, the first thing you should do is understand your garden’s needs. Will you have a hedge that needs trimming? A rose bush that requires pruning? Consider the size and layout of the garden, the types of plants you will grow and what specific tasks need to be performed.

Material matters

Although they can be expensive, it’s important to invest in high-quality tools for both efficiency and longevity. Look for tools made from durable materials that can withstand the rigours of regular use. Materials can also range from lightweight to heavy, so keep this in mind when purchasing — you don’t want a pair of shears you can’t wield!

“My secateurs and hedge shears are made from lightweight Japanese steel with some plastic cushioning on the handles,” says Judy Horton. “And when using a digging tool such as a spade or trowel, I find a wooden handle is pleasant to hold.” Wood is durable and absorbs shock better than other materials, such as plastic. Plastic on the other hand, is light and affordable but tends to break easier.

The colour of your handles is also an important consideration. “Having brightly coloured handles helps make the tools easier to locate if you’ve lost them in the garden”, says Judy. “Alternatively, get out the paint pot!”

Stay in your comfort zone

Assess what your physical limitations are — your strength, size and ability — and choose tools that will work for you to prevent strain or injuries.

“Lightweight and sharp are the most important features for me,” says Judy. “Comfortable handles help, too.”

Ergonomic handles with comfortable, non-slip grips will reduce wrist and arm strain. Also, consider tools with ratchet action, an extra mechanism that allows you to cut things in stages. This is a great option for those with reduced hand strength as it provides extra power when cutting.

Where to buy good garden tools

Shopping in store, such as a hardware store or garden centre, gives you the chance to test out different tools for yourself. Mimic the motion you will likely be doing in the garden to see if the tool is the right weight and grip for you.

There’s also a huge range of gardening tools available online, and you can find some great deals. However, it’s important to do your research first. Compare different brands and read the product reviews before purchasing.

“I mostly buy my gardening tools from the hardware store although I bought secateurs and hedge shears from an online arborist supplier. I’ve also been fortunate to inherit some tools from my father,” says Judy.

Power tools vs. hand tools

For some gardening tasks you may prefer to use a power tool over a hand tool. Power tools are good for covering a large area in a short amount of time. The tools are doing most of the heavy lifting, which means less effort and strain for you. Hand tools on the other hand, allow for precise cuts and control but require more grunt work.

Hand tools are also fairly low-maintenance, requiring a clean, sharpen and oil here and there. Power tools require more regular maintenance. And then there’s the price… With power tools you’re paying for the convenience and power, so be ready to spend more upfront!

A few power tools that might be worth investing in include lawnmowers, chainsaws and hedge trimmers.

“I recently bought a small battery-operated saw with a 150mm blade and I absolutely love it. It makes it so much easier to prune small branches. It’s like a mini chain saw so the chain needs to be tightened regularly,” says Judy.

What are the essential garden tools I need?

It’s easy to go overboard when purchasing gardening tools. But if you’re just starting out, here are some tools that are especially handy.

“Secateurs, pruning saw, hedge shears, spade, trowel, garden fork and mulch fork are all essential items for a tool kit,” says Judy. “I love to use good quality scissors as well for quick clipping and deadheading. And an old-fashioned hoe is handy for chipping weeds.”

Task: Pruning. This is done to shape a plant, remove dead branches and to encourage new growth and flowers.

Tools: Depending on the size of a plant’s branches, you will need either:

• Secateurs. Choose between three types; bypass, anvil and ratchet. Bypass secateurs have blades that ‘pass by’ each other, much like scissors. They are used to cut through living material up to about 2–2.5cm in diameter. In anvil secateurs one blade cuts, the other essentially stops the cut, like a knife on a chopping board. They are best used for thicker or dead wood as they have a crushing action. Ratchet (usually bypass but also available in anvil) has a mechanism that allows you to cut the branch in stages with a squeeze and release action.
• Loppers. They are similar to secateurs but are designed to cut branches with a larger diameter (2.5–4cm). They have longer handles to help reach into shrubs and trees.

Task: Hedging. This a practice of trimming shrubs or trees regularly to form a dense, linear barrier or boundary.

Tools: Shears. They have long blades that get a nice sharp, straight cut. You use both hands, which means you have good control over what you’re cutting. Shears are used on new tip shoots, not woodier branches (and bear in mind that Americans call secateurs shears, which can be confusing!).

Task: Cultivating

Tools: A shovel, spade and fork are the perfect trio for digging holes, moving soil and mulch, cultivating beds, harvesting root crops and turning compost. Here’s the difference:

• Shovel. Perfect for shovelling or moving loose material, such as soil, gravel or sand, from one location to another. It typically has a square or round mouth with raised edges so you can easily scoop and lift materials.
• Spade. Features a flat, square mouth with sharper or more tapered edges to help with precise digging and cutting through compacted soil and roots. It can be used to create neat edges, which is handy for gardeners with lawns.
• Garden fork. Used to break up, lift and turn soil. They’re ideal for working organic material and fertiliser into the soil.

Want to shop pots and planters don’t know what features to look out for? Read our pots and planters guide now.

Text by AB Bishop, Tammy Huynh & Loren Desbruslais