The Best Common Landscaping Tools

Common landscaping tools don’t have to cost a fortune. You can find cheap and effective options for most of the necessary tools for landscaping your home at a hardware store, big box retailer, or online.

The right tools will help you efficiently complete your project and save time in the long run, so it’s important to invest in good ones.

Common landscaping tools include hand cultivators and hoes, pruning shears, loppers, garden kneepads, buckets, watering cans with built-in filters and spouts that are plant-friendly (no sudden changes in temperature!), a wheelbarrow with a built-in caddy for quick access to all of your gear. Read on to learn more about the best common landscaping tools for every job!

Hand cultivators and hoes

A hand cultivator has long, sturdy tines, usually 4-6, that can be used for loosening soil around plants and digging up weeds. They are often used to cultivate between rows of plants in your garden or flower bed, but they can also be used to cultivate bulbs planted in containers.

Hoes come in different shapes and sizes, but they all have curved blades that, depending on the type, are used to chop up and break up compacted soil, weed, or harvest root vegetables. If you work with a lot of soil, a sturdy hoe can be a great investment!

Pruning shears

Pruning shears are a gardener’s best friend, and they’re a common landscaping tool that can be used for a variety of purposes around your home.

You can cut small branches with them, or large ones if you have a strong pair. Pruning shears are also a good alternative to loppers for smaller branches, like those from a fruit tree or vine growing up a trellis.

You can also use pruning shears to harvest vegetables and flowers when they’re ready. Pruning shears are quicker than a knife, and they can also be used on plants that are toxic. If you’re harvesting poison ivy, for instance, pruning shears are a safer option than a knife.

Loppers

Loppers, like pruners, have long blades, but they’re designed for larger branches, so they have a lopper on the end of each arm. These are great if you have a lot of larger branches to cut, especially if you have arthritis or another condition that makes it difficult to use a hand saw.

They also make quick work of harvesting plants that are ready, such as grapes or blackberries. When you’re buying loppers, consider the weight of the tool and the size of the cutting head. You’ll want something that is comfortable and easy to use.

If the head is too small, you might not be able to cut through the branches you’re aiming for. If the head is too big, you might not be able to reach the branches you want.

Garden kneepads

If you’re going to be doing any digging, tilling, or otherwise using your hands on the ground, garden kneepads are a good investment. They protect your knees from getting dirty and keep weeds, soil, and debris from getting in the way.

They’re also handy if you’re working in a spot that’s very muddy, like a wetland or near a water source. Garden kneepads come in a wide variety of styles and materials. You can find them with a neoprene top for warmth, or you can get a simple, lightweight fabric pad.

You can also buy knee pads with padding on the back or straps for extra security. Whatever you decide, just make sure that you select a pad that fits your knees comfortably. You don’t want them to slip or move around while you’re working.

Wheelbarrow and buckets

A wheelbarrow is a must if you have a lot of landscaping materials to move. You’ll save yourself a lot of back pain by using one instead of carrying heavy loads to where they need to go.

If you have a lot of smaller items, such as mulch, bags of soil, rocks, and fertilizer, a wheelbarrow can be a quick, easy way to transport them from one spot to another.

If you’re carrying anything heavy, it can also be used as a cart. You can also use wheelbarrows to store extra water for your plants, or to store water for cleaning up after a project or rainstorm.

Watering cans

Watering cans are a great tool for any type of garden and are also great for houseplants. You can find a watering can that fits your needs, whether you want a small watering can for houseplants or a watering can with a long spout for watering plants that are further away.

You can use a watering can to water your plants on a regular basis, or if you have a smaller garden, you can use it to water individual plants.

If you have a larger garden, though, a watering can may not be enough to get everything you need to be watered regularly. In this case, you might consider a hose with a timer, so you can set it to water your garden for a certain amount of time each day.

Conclusion

Landscaping doesn’t have to break the bank. You can find affordable and effective options for all the necessary tools for landscaping your home at a hardware store, big box retailer, or online.

The right tools will help you efficiently complete your project and save time in the long run, so it’s important to invest in good ones.