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They should also be able to withstand drops and impact.

Garden Hose and Tools

The Spruce

It’s important to find tools that combine effective performance, high-quality materials, and comfortability.

We also found the sap groove an amazing feature to prevent the blades from sticking.

The Felco F-2 has hardened steel blades, a forged aluminum handle, and an adjustable alignment.

Felco F-2 One-Hand Pruning Shear

PHOTO: Amazon

The rubberized handle has shock-absorbing pads to keep gardeners comfortable.

Users with joint problems may appreciate the rotating and ergonomic handles of theF-7andF-8 pruners.

The design is backed by a lifetime warranty, which helps justify the surprising initial cost.

Hand holding up the Felco 2 One-Hand Pruning Shear in an outdoor setting

The Felco 2 One-Hand Pruning Shear earned our top spot for sturdiness, versatility, and quality.PHOTO: The Spruce

you could also remove the collection funnel and tube to measure snow, hail, or sleet.

An adjustable wrist strap also ensures these gloves stay snug on your hands.

If you’re looking for men’s-sized gloves, we recommendchecking out the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves in Large.

Felco 2 One-Hand Pruning Shear on a wooden table

It’s also available in six colorful options that make it easy to identify among flowering garden beds.

The nine different spray tweaks were also easy to switch among, and they were all well-labeled.

The padded handle also felt comfortable to grip during our testing period.

Hand holding up the Felco 2 One-Hand Pruning Shear and cutting a branch

Overall, the drop did not impact the wand’s functions.

It’s thick and large, so there’s plenty of room for one or both knees.

It’s available in two sizes to accommodate any garden and body.

Hand holding up the Felco 2 One-Hand Pruning Shear in an outdoor setting

There’s also an ergonomic handle that molds to your hand for easy transporting to and from your backyard.

Plus, it weighs less than a pound.

This kneeling pad has a textured side so you don’t slide around your garden.

Felco 2 One-Hand Pruning Shear on a wooden table

But we’re a bit worried about the thin sides becoming damaged over time.

Still, for $25, this kneeling pad is essential for feeling comfortable after hours in the garden.

The touchscreen-compatible gloves have extra padding for ideal comfort and an adjustable wrist strap for the perfect fit.

Hand holding up the Felco 2 One-Hand Pruning Shear and cutting a branch

Quality: No matter what tool we were testing, we noticed how the quality of the product felt.

We noted if they felt heavy and sturdy or lightweight and flimsy, depending on the material.

We recommend paying close attention to not only the material of a tool before purchasing but also the craftsmanship.

Nisaku Hori-Hori Stainless Steel Tomita Weeding Knife

PHOTO: Amazon

Such metals will be resistant to rust and will last for multiple seasons when cared for properly.

Comfortability

You want to purchase a tool that’s comfortable to hold.

If a tool isnt comfortable, then you wont be using it for long.

Nisaku Hori-Hori Stainless Steel Tomita Weeding Knife displayed on a wooden table

The Nisaku Hori-Hori Weeding Knife is a superior tool to actually remove weeds from the root.The Spruce

Gloves will ultimately back up your hands from blistering and protect them from the sun.

These tools help to break up dirt and can do everything from planting seeds and bulbs to removing weeds.

If you purchase high-quality gardening tools, you should not have to replace them.

Amazon Wilcox All-Pro Heavy-Duty Digging Trowel

PHOTO: Amazon

Rely on the tools that you’re most familiar with and absolutely need, like a hand trowel.

Safety should also always be a priority, as you won’t want to trip on a misplaced tool.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Hands using the Wilcox Stainless Steel Garden Trowel while planting a seedling

The Wilcox Stainless Steel Garden Trowel has not rusted after five years of use.The Spruce

Emma Asheis an associate editor at The Spruce who has been covering gardening content since 2022.

Phelps always adored her grandparents' home garden and aspires to have a garden of her own one day.

She consulted expert gardeners among our team of editors to learn what tools they can’t live without.

Bully Tools 82515 14-Gauge Round Point Shovel

PHOTO: Amazon

As a beginner gardener, she also considered what tools she’d need to start working on a garden.

Stratus Precision Rain Gauge with Mounting Bracket

PHOTO: Amazon

Firm Grip Large General Purpose Gloves displayed on white background

PHOTO: The Home Depot

The Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves outdoors on top of a tree trunk

These gloves are tough enough to endure thorny bushes without ripping.PHOTO: The Spruce

A person holding a tool with the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves on

Close up of a person with the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves on

Two hands using a large red tool while wearing the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves

The Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves outdoors on top of a tree trunk

A person holding a tool with the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves on

Close up of a person with the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves on

Two hands using a large red tool while wearing the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves

Zero-G Lightweight Ultra Flexible Durable Kink-Free Garden Hose

PHOTO: Amazon

Hand holding the nozzle of the Zero-G Lightweight Ultra Flexible Durable Kink-Free Garden Hose with water running

The Zero-G Lightweight Garden Hose easily connected to the spigot and had a steady, consistent stream.PHOTO: The Spruce

Person carrying the Zero-G Lightweight Ultra Flexible Durable Kink-Free Garden Hose

Hand holding the nozzle of the Zero-G Lightweight Ultra Flexible Durable Kink-Free Garden Hose with water running

Person carrying the Zero-G Lightweight Ultra Flexible Durable Kink-Free Garden Hose

Dramm Revolution 9-Pattern Spray Gun

PHOTO: Amazon

Person using the Dramm Revolution 9-Pattern Spray Gun to spray water on an Adirondack chair displayed on a grass lawn

The Dramm Revolution Spray Gun made watering our garden much less of a chore.PHOTO: The Spruce

Person’s hand using Dramm Revolution 9-Pattern Spray Gun to water flowers displayed on an iron frame set on bricks

Person’s hand using Dramm Revolution 9-Pattern Spray Gun to fill water in a red bucket displayed on grass

Person using the Dramm Revolution 9-Pattern Spray Gun to spray water on an Adirondack chair displayed on a grass lawn

Person’s hand using Dramm Revolution 9-Pattern Spray Gun to water flowers displayed on an iron frame set on bricks

Person’s hand using Dramm Revolution 9-Pattern Spray Gun to fill water in a red bucket displayed on grass

The Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand

PHOTO: Amazon

Person’s hand tightening Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand onto hose

We found the Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand lightweight and easy to use for its size.PHOTO: The Spruce

Person using Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand to spray grass lawn

Person’s hand using Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand to spray water onto flowers

Person’s hand tightening Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand onto hose

Person using Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand to spray grass lawn

Person’s hand using Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand to spray water onto flowers

Gorilla Aluminum Zero Rust Premium Mobile Hose Reel

PHOTO: Amazon

Person pushing the Gorilla Aluminum Zero Rust Hose Reel across a grass lawn

The Gorilla Aluminum Hose Reel was easy to wheel on grass and other surfaces while testing.PHOTO: The Spruce

Person rolling the pipes into the Gorilla Aluminum Zero Rust Premium Mobile Hose Reel displayed on grass

Gorilla 200 ft. Aluminum Zero Rust Premium Mobile Hose Reel displayed on cobblestone next to a potted plant

Person pushing the Gorilla Aluminum Zero Rust Hose Reel across a grass lawn

Person rolling the pipes into the Gorilla Aluminum Zero Rust Premium Mobile Hose Reel displayed on grass

Gorilla 200 ft. Aluminum Zero Rust Premium Mobile Hose Reel displayed on cobblestone next to a potted plant

Red Home Club Thick Kneeling Pad

PHOTO: Amazon

A person putting their knees on the Red Home Club Thick Kneeling Pad

The Red Home Club Thick Kneeling Pad takes all the strain out of weeding and planting.PHOTO: The Spruce

A person carrying the Red Home Club Thick Kneeling Pad

The Red Home Club Thick Kneeling Pad placed next to a tree trunk

A person putting their knees on the Red Home Club Thick Kneeling Pad

A person carrying the Red Home Club Thick Kneeling Pad

The Red Home Club Thick Kneeling Pad placed next to a tree trunk

Dramm Revolution 9-Pattern Spray Gun

The Spruce

A hand holding the Wilcox 10" All-Pro Fine Point Trowel with a mound of soil on top

The Spruce

Hand holding the nozzle of the Zero-G Lightweight Ultra Flexible Durable Kink-Free Garden Hose with water running

The Spruce

A person adjusts the Headwind Consumer Products Jumbo EZRead Rain Gauge

The Spruce