I used to have a gardening business called dig this chick…hence, the name of this blog. Folks are always asking me what tool to use for a project. There are a ton of not-so-great tools that are a waste of money and end up polluting the landfill and a ton of over-hyped tools that sure get the job done but are overkill.

This entry is about my faves.

5 gallon bucket with garden tool holder insert (LOVE THIS); I adore these Atlas gardening gloves and they are cheap! I have several pairs in different weights; bypass pruners, of course; this style of watering mechanism is perfect because you can regulate the flow and it is simple..won’t clog or leak like the fancy ones; garden staples; don’t know the technical name but I have two different styles–they are magic on weeds whose roots are wrapped around good guys; This one is a bit less aggressive; sturdy sturdy wheel barrow. I got this at Costco and saw that they are available again this year. The construction was a bitch and it really takes two peops, but it is so affordable and really great; tool belt! don’t know how I survived so long without this; this rakey item would be better with longer fingers; the second example of the magic weeder; high quality shovel (don’t go cheap here or you’ll be sorry); garden scissors–invest in these puppies and they will last forever; this guy is quite possibly my favorite item for everything from tilling to burly weeding to tamping down soil. If you only buy one tool, buy this; sharpening stone for the tools; good ole rake–nothin’ special–I got this at a garage sale for $1; cheap-o weeder; loppers; spading fork is ana amazing tool for tilling a new plot; skinny trowel with sturdy handle. tada.

Here is my carefully constructed essential backyard garden tool posse: