Top 10 Essential Gardening Tools UK 2022: 

Whether you are new to gardening and looking for where to start or wanting to restock and replace your own tired tools it can be difficult to decide which tools to prioritise. We have compiled a list containing the most common and useful tools for both the gardening enthusiast and the gardening novice alike. With the tools we have chosen our aim is for you to be able to complete most of the main garden jobs from pruning plants and flowers to creating your very own compost patch.

We have based our decision on the recommended products on multiple aspects; firstly the best value for money, the most suitable for the average gardener and the popularity of the product – we find that often the market itself identifies which product is the best.

If our recommended product isn’t suited to you then use the ‘Shop Here’ buttons to browse at a collection of products.

1. Secateurs 

Most gardens require constant maintenance and secateurs are great for regular pruning and tidying of both indoor and outdoor plants and shrubs. They will probably end up being one of the tools in which you find yourself using the most. 

High quality secateurs are a great investment, the blades will stay sharper for longer and be able to tackle larger thicker stems and branches. Secateurs can also be used to cut off any dead flowers, known as deadheading. 

Our recommendation: Zoro Select 7459BS Geared Bypass Secateur

Features: 

⭐High carbon steel blades for strength and lasting sharpness

⭐Lightweight cast aluminium body

⭐Non slip soft grips for increased comfort

⭐Metal anvils for optimum strength and performance

2. Shears 

A quality pair of shears can make general gardening tasks much easier and quicker. They are perfect for general day-to-day hedge, lawn and tree maintenance. While secateurs are ideal for smaller more precise work, shears can be used to cut numerous stems at once. Telescopic shears are particularly useful for safely reaching the tops of trees, shrubs and bushes without the need for a ladder. 

Our recommendation: Spear and Jackson Razor-sharp Steel Telescopic Hand Shears 

Features: 

⭐Blades finished by polishing and a lacquer to bolster longevity and resistance to rust and corrosion 

⭐Carbon steel blades that hold an impressive cutting edge even over time 

⭐Ergonomic soft grip handles for user comfort 

⭐Tubular steel handles are telescopic to allow you to access hard to reach areas 

3. Spade 

An absolute essential for garden work, a spade should be near the very top of your shopping list. A true multi-use tool; whether you are digging holes for fence posts, planting/transplanting or trenching, a spade is ideal. A stainless-steel spade is the best option as regular spades can easily rust and get soil stuck to them. 

Our recommendation: Zoro Select Digging Treaded Spade 

Features:  

⭐Manufactured from forged carbon steel with extra-long rivetted socket for added strength 

⭐Corrosion resistant epoxy hammer finish with weatherproofed hard wood handle 

⭐Shaft: 711mm  

⭐Blade size: 290 x 190mm 

4. Shovel 

A shovel is perfect for when a hand trowel just won’t cut it. Great for jobs that include digging, removing or adding large amounts of materials such as soil, compost, fertiliser and mulch. The garden shovel is a very versatile tool, that will be able to handle most everyday garden tasks as well as larger scale landscaping and farming projects 

Our recommendation: Sitesafe Solid Socket Wooden YD Square Mouth Shovel 

Features:  

⭐Hardwood shaft is durable and hard wearing

⭐Shovel mouth possesses an epoxy coating to protect the shovel from wear and tear

⭐Blade is manufactured from carbon manganese steel and is tempered for overall product longevity

5. Trowel  

The hand trowel is an invaluable tool and for most gardeners is a tool they could not live without. It is useful for a whole host of jobs. It is essential for planting, weeding, potting and seed sowing. It is likely that you will spend hours with a trowel in your hand so make sure to get one with a comfortable grip to avoid hand fatigue. 

Our recommendation: Bulldog Premier Tanged Hand Trowel 

Features: 

⭐Carbon steel blade with corrosion resistant epoxy coating 

⭐Heavy duty tang  

6. Rake 

No gardening tool kit is complete without a rake. It will allow you to remove unwanted materials from your garden such as; rocks, stones and twigs and gather garden debris like leaves and weeds. It can also be used to break up soil and smooth down and level the surface of your soil. The rake is a must-have tool to keep your garden neat and tidy. The choice of a straight-headed or a fan-shaped rake is up to you; if you will be using it more to collect up leaves then a fan-shaped rake is more suitable however a straight-headed rake is more suited to use on rocky and stony ground. 

Our recommendation: Bulldog 12 Tooth Garden Rake 

Features: 

⭐The manganese steel head is extremely durable and ideal for breaking down lumpy soil 

⭐Its powder coated finish on the teeth bolsters overall product longevity 

⭐Ash handle is resilient and offers increased user comfort and control 

7. Hoe

It is essential for cultivating soil, breaking new ground and edging your lawn. A hoe is most useful in preparing for planting seeds and flowers and when eliminating weeds. 

There are a few different types of garden hoes to be aware of: 

Paddle/Draw hoe – this is the basic general hoe, it is a great starting hoe option that can be used to dislodge weeds and shape soil. 

Stirrup hoe – it has an attachment that looks like a stirrup, it is great to dig out those stubborn weeds without displacing a lot of soil. 

Dutch hoe – it has a flat blade/paddle in the shape of a triangle. This how is perfect for use to getting into tight spaces. 

Our recommendation: Rutland Draw Hoe Stainless Steel Steel Shaft

Features:  

⭐Stainless Steel head and steel shaft provides greater durability

⭐PVC grips allows for comfort holding and precise action

8. Wheelbarrow 

A wheelbarrow is a prerequisite for most jobs around the garden. Using a wheelbarrow eases the burden of transporting large and heavy garden materials around your garden and to and from your garden. You can also put your tools and equipment in a barrow and move them around with you as your work around the garden. For smaller jobs like planting flowers to big jobs such as laying a new garden path a wheelbarrow will come in handy and save you a lot of time and countless journeys. A good wheelbarrow should be strong but also light enough for easy transport when full. 

Our recommendation: Haemmerlin Solid Tyre Wheelbarrow 

Features: 

⭐85 litre capacity 

⭐Reliable and durable frame with a one-piece tubular design that includes a front tipping bar for safe and quick unloading of the wheelbarrow 

⭐Ergonomically designed red handle grips for comfort when using as well as aiding in lifting the wheelbarrow when heavy Improved load distribution 

9. Saw 

A hardworking tool that is a must have in your garden armoury. Needed for shaping shrubs, trimming branches and cutting down trees as well as so many more tasks. The great upside of a saw is that you can use it for the more delicate jobs as well as more heavy-duty cutting tasks, if you are not wanting to invest in a chainsaw then a bow saw should see you through most big gardening projects. It may not be a tool that you use every day but when you need it, it is absolutely indispensable. 

Our recommendation: Irwin Xpert Bow Saw Welded Steel Tubing 533MM 

Features:  

⭐Precision filed and hardened teeth 

⭐Extra strong extended latches provide optimal blade tension and hand protection 

⭐Manufactured with high frequency welded steel tubing 

10. Hose 

We strongly recommend the use of a garden hose over a watering can, it will save you time, energy and will take a lot of unnecessary strain off of your back. Instead of having to carry around a heavy watering can and making trips back and forth to the tap just attach your hose and you are ready to water your garden. There are numerous attachments you can add to customise your hose to your needs, attach a narrow sprayer to wash down garden furniture or add a sprinkler attachment to hydrate your lawn. 

Our recommendation: Rutland 50M Reinforced Garden Hose Coil ½” Bore 

Features:  

⭐Reinforced for additional strength and durability 

⭐Possesses a length of 50 metres 

⭐Multi-purpose three-layer braided garden hose suited for general and professional use 

Honorary Mention:

Our honorary number 11 is a pair of gardening gloves, they aren’t really a tool so they couldn’t make our list but a good quality, hard wearing and multi-purpose pair of gloves are just as necessary as any tool on this list. Your hands will definitely thank you if before you start ripping up weeds or digging up holes you put on a pair of gloves. 

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