If you are like many Americans who experienced the polar vortex and other winter cold snaps, you might not think it will ever get warm again! Good news, spring is around the corner and now it’s time to think about planting your spring and summer garden. If you’re planning a garden for the first time, there are some tools that are essential for you to have and keep in mind you’ll also need a place to put these tools such as a garage, sunroom or shed.

Spade and Shovel

If you buy nothing else, you’ll need to have a spade or a shovel. Nothing can really be done in the garden without it. It turns over soil, digs trenches and holes. Spades and shovels come in different sizes and it’s a good idea to get a collection. Make sure that the blades are forged from stainless steel. They’re more expensive than other blades but will last a lifetime and won’t rust.

Digging Fork

There are basically two types of digging forks. One has square tines that end in points and the other has flat tines for digging up potatoes. Like shovel blades, tines should be made out of stainless steel.

Buckets

Buckets are used for everything from carrying plants, to carrying seeds, rocks, gravel, sand, soil, compost or manure. They’re also just the thing for carrying water if you don’t have a sprinkler system or the system doesn’t extend as far as you need it to. Just make sure they’re sturdy and that you can easily carry them.

A Hoe

Hoes are the tools of choice for keeping down the weeds between vegetable rows. They can also be used to make seed drills. There are different kind of hoes, including hoes that fit into tight corners.

Pruners

There are a great variety of pruners that do all kinds of jobs when it comes to trimming and pruning trees. Some of them are hand pruners that are good for tidying up bushes and shrubs while others are loppers with long handles that can trim off branches at the tops of trees.

All garden tools should be kept clean and hung on hooks in the shed or the garage. Sharp edges should be kept sharp and oiled and greased from time to time. Happy gardening!

April Labarron is a native of Southern California. She has her BA in English/Literature from MSJC in Menifee, Ca. She views her freelance writing, not only as a career, but as her passion. Other areas of interest include; movies, food, singing, soccer, traveling, shopping, a continuous desire for learning and also creating designs for garden sheds. She lives on her own and is accompanied by her Pomeranian named, Elvis. She currently resides in Temecula, CA.