I have been gardening since I was a little girl, raised on a farm where a garden was always something my grandparents had. My grandfather taught my sister and me a lot about gardening and the tools needed to get the job accomplished. I’ve learned a lot over time, and I can’t wait to share some nuggets here on the blog to help others with their garden journey. It’s certainly a passion of mine and this will be the sixth year with a garden of my own I have had so many failures but also many victories of what to do and what not to do.

If this is your first time gardening or you know someone who is starting to garden here are some of the must-have tools I have found to be very beneficial and very handy!

Supplies for New Gardeners 

Beginners Gardening Books
Learn all you can! I love to read books on gardening so if you have a chance to visit your library or local book store this is a great place to get inspired. Here are some books I recommend below.

Garden Gloves
Keep your hands and nails protected by wearing gardening gloves. I can’t tell you how many times I forget to wear my gloves and end up with blisters or chipped nails. I always say when it’s Summertime my nails never stay painted long. Also, if you plan to work in your garden for a long period using a shovel or spade, be sure to remove your rings. I used to get terrible blisters on my hands when I was out raking or shoveling with my rings on. Getting in the habit of removing your rings will prevent those nasty blisters! These come in so many cute styles!

Garden Tool Belt

When it comes to working in your garden, there have been several times when I did not have enough pockets or hands to carry anything. A garden tool belt is a must to hold seeds, pruners, markers, phones, paper, and so much more. This is a must-have!

Kneeling Pad
I can’t tell you how many times my knees got scrapes or grass stains on my jeans because I forgot my knee pad when weeding or planting. You can also use an old piece of cardboard to kneel on but the cushion is nice!

Work Boots
If you plan on having a large garden you may want to invest in a nice pair of work boots. Some days I can wear sneakers but when I walk through mud, high grass, or need to shovel dirt I find my boots to be amazing! I have a pair of Ariat boots I’ve had for many years and are some of the strongest boots I have ever owned. Or you can buy a lightweight boot that comes in many styles and very comfortable for simple gardening.

(It just started to rain when I took this photo. You can see little Sunflower seedlings in the background)

> Hand Tools
When working in the garden you want to make sure you invest in decent hand tools. If you plan to garden year after year it’s worth purchasing a nice set that is high-quality and comfortable for your hands. We love our tools made by Corona! Very well made and very comfortable.

> Seed Starters
These are amazing to use to get those little seedlings started. Whether you have a greenhouse or a window sill with great lighting these are wonderful! You can also use berry containers from the store, DIY eggshell planters, or old mugs or bowls and cover them with saran wrap. Epic Gardening also has great seed starters and materials!

>Herb/Plant Markers
These are so fantastic to have on hand! I bought my markers through Grove Collaborative  This is a very important item to have on hand when you plant your seeds or seedlings. I have made the mistake before of not labeling the items I planted and told myself I would remember them later. It was a few weeks before I could tell what it was I planted.

>Trellis and Twine
If you plan to grow any climbers such as tomatoes, peas, cucumbers, etc you will need a trellis or a DIY method with twine. Rebar is fantastic if you plan on growing many tomatoes.

Seed Saving Jars
If you plan to buy Heirloom seeds and want to save them for next year, you can save your seeds in sealed jars in a dark cool place until the next year.

Garden Journal
I just love my garden journal! I have kept a journal for a few years now and it’s so interesting to look back at my notes and compare the weather and items that did well or not so well and the lessons learned. I highly recommend a garden journal. This is also great to keep track of what works well for your soil and zone, as well as the layouts of your garden each year for crop rotation.

>Compost Bin
Build up your soil by saving scraps from your compost bin. There are so many articles online for the do’s and don’ts to add to your compost. We keep a small compost bin on our kitchen counter that we toss scraps in then when it’s full take it up to our large compost area which we made out of wood pallets and chicken wire.

Upgrade Your Garden

If your garden needs an upgrade or you need additional supplies, be sure to check out and follow East Coast Hardware. They have a great selection of Home and Garden supplies.

These are some of the tools I have used to get started, of course, there is a lot more to add to your gardening list such as garden location, soil, wildlife fencing, and so on. Gardening is so rewarding and has many benefits. It’s more than just growing fresh veggies, herbs, and fruits; it can also be a place to think and get closer to your creator. What are some of your favorite gardening tools? Share with us in the comments below!

This year my friend and her husband added a beautiful piece to their home. Where they live a large garden space is a bit limited but that didn’t stop them from getting super creative! I just admire this design and can’t wait to see all their plants and flowers come to life this Summer. So if you are looking for a way to start a garden but limited to space, consider something like this.

(Thank you Kev and Charlotte for allowing me to use your photos for this article)

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