28 Garden Tools and Essentials for Year-Round Care

When you're ready to grow, use our green-thumb shopping list to find great garden tools, gear and more, with top picks from HGTV editors.

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Updated on March 22, 2024

If you're itching to get your garden in tip-top shape, make sure you have the tools to get the job done efficiently, safely and correctly. We've rounded up our favorite garden tools, gadgets and gear — for spring, fall and beyond — that'll help you grow the garden of your dreams, including top picks from HGTV gardening experts.

Must-Have Garden Tools

"A hand weeder is a MUST HAVE for me. I've carried one around the yard in my back pocket so it's at hand when I see a nasty little dandelion spoiling my lawn. It's no match for the hand weeder." – Paul Cox, Editorial Operations Manager

$12.99
Amazon

For tackling a lot of weeding, the least fun but necessary chore of gardening, you'll want this tool that makes it easier. Constructed of an ash wood handle and rust-resistant stainless steel, this hand weeder makes it easy to get weeds on the first try thanks to the V-shaped fork tip and curved base that allows for better leverage.

Handy Garden Helpers

"Heavy duty is an understatement for this nearly indestructible utility cart that I use to haul plants or move heavy rocks but could serve as a helpmate in a number of garden functions. The all-terrain tires are great too, and able to summit nearly any obstruction." – Felicia Feaster, Managing Editor

$209.99 $109
Amazon

If your landscape requires heavy-duty labor, a steel cart is a must. This cart carries up to 600 pounds and has a quick-release dump feature. You can even attach the handle to a riding mower or ATV to make gardening and landscaping much less labor-intensive.

Smart Garden Gear

"For years, I would go out to the garden to check on things and end up filling the edge of my shirt with herbs and vegetables that needed harvesting. So many stretched shirts! Now, I always grab a pocketed apron when I head out to harvest." – Kelly Smith Trimble, Editorial Director

$39.50
Amazon

Need an extra hand in the garden? Slip on this combination apron/smock with a pouch that carries small tools, seed packets, work gloves and more. The Roo Apron also holds harvested veggies or pulled weeds. When the bag is full, open it at the bottom and let vegetables slide out onto your table, or dump weeds into the compost pile.

Easy Plant Care

"I'm a big fan of this hand rake. It's very useful when trying to break up annoying clumps of clay, pulling up smaller roots and weeds, and breaking up soil in large containers." – Jackie McGilvray, Editor

$12.99 $7.19
Amazon

Ideal for loosening soil, removing weeds and aerating soil, this hand rake is ergonomically designed to reduce hand and wrist fatigue while cultivating. The tool's sharp tines make it easy to dig into tough soil, and the cast aluminum head resists rust for long-lasting use.

3 Handy Garden Tools
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