6 Unexpected Tools You Need In Your Garden

There aren’t many tools in the garden that you HAVE to have. Some people might think you need fancy new tools or the most aesthetic garden but the truth is you don’t. So in todays article I want to talk about a few tools that are not often talked about, but are a must-have in my garden because of how useful they are in making my garden better.

Let’s Start with the Basics!

Okay, before we get into the unexpected garden tools, there are two more common tools that I want to mention first. Mainly because these are two tools that are multi purpose or just really good quality.

My Favourite Garden Gloves

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Okay, I know. Gloves aren’t unusual or unexpected. BUT I think that these ones are. The reason? Because they lasted more than one season!! I have never found a pair of garden gloves that didn’t get holes or rips within weeks of use. And, the second best thing? They fit my hands so perfectly it almost feels like I’m not wearing gloves. I know many gardeners don’t like wearing gloves, is that you? But after I’ve picked one too many stinging nettle plants out of my garden, I felt it was time to wear gloves.

If you’re curious about which gloves I’ve tested and love, you can check out this article here!

The Best All Around Garden Tool

This tool has made its rounds in the gardening world as a handy tool to have in the garden. When I first started using my hori hori knife I thought it was just “okay”. But the more I’ve used it and had it around, the more I’ve learned to like it. It can dig holes, cut branches, and pick weeds. It’s a super useful tool to have in the garden, it does the job of so many tools that it’s essentially an all-in-one tool to get the job done.

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Let’s Talk About the Unusual Garden Must-Haves!

Now that we’ve gotten through the typical items, let’s talk about the more unlikely ones. I think that these are often overlooked items but are important in the garden.

Proper Gardening Shoes

Shoes meant for the garden are often overlooked! When we’re headed out to the garden we don’t always think about what we’re putting on our feet but we really should be. I have ruined so many pairs of expensive sandals because I go out to check on the garden but end up doing work. With the regular bending over and crouching, it puts a lot of strain on your shoes which can cause them to crack or break. Also, if you do any form of digging with a shovel, you’ll find yourself stepping on the shovel regularly which can put a lot of strain on the bottom of your shoes which can damage them.

Since we experience such a wide variety of weather here in Canada, we often tend to own a ton of different shoes to combat it. Which is why I have 3 different types of shoes that I rotate in the garden. The first is a good pair of rubber boots for the muddy season, the second is a good pair of runners that you can move soil in and walk a lot of steps if you’re moving soil back and forth during the season, and the final is a pair of garden clogs for your day to day work that are waterproof, but also allow proper airflow in the hot summer days.

The Best Garden Protection from Pests

Instead of fighting pests everyday, or using harmful chemicals, invest in insect netting. This is the easiest way to protect your plants and avoid having damage to them. Of course, this only works when plants are small or if they don’t rely on pollinators to produce food. However, there are a ton of vegetables that benefit from insect netting, such as leafy greens or brassicas.

Grow More Food with This Garden Tool

Covering your vegetables in the off season is a great way to extend your garden! This is an important tool in my garden because it helps warm up my soil earlier, allows me to plant sooner, and finally lets me grow veggies later into the fall. Cover includes cold frames, greenhouses, or hoop houses (pictured above). With cover, you can grow for 6-8 weeks longer than without it. This is why I consider it a must-have in your garden.

Be Sustainable + Cut Your Garden Costs

The final, unusual must-have tool in my garden is a rain barrel (or 4!) These are such a helpful tool to be both environmentally friendly, but also cuts your garden costs down because you’re harvesting rainwater, rather than using city water that you have to pay for. Even if you don’t have a roof to collect rainwater off of, you can still collect rain in a barrel at an allotment, or a small backyard space. The final benefit is that rainwater is filled with important minerals that help feed your soil and plants to help them grow strong.

The Garden Tool On My Wishlist

There is one tool on my wish list that I haven’t invested in yet, and that is a bulb auger! I think this tool is super cool, but also that it would be so helpful for planting spring flower bulbs. The only thing that you would have to be worried about with this tool is that you don’t accidently hit an electric or gas line (aka call before you dig!). However, this tool would make planting bulbs so much more enjoyable than it is!

A quick update: I bought one and used it for the first time last fall. I made a video that you can check out to know if a bulb auger is worth the money.