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Shopping for garden tools can be overwhelming. What is worth it, and what isn’t? What will last? A lot of the answers to those questions will be based on personal preference, and this article is certainly my personal preference.
But I’ve used a lot of tools and garden-related things, and there are a bunch that I would definitely recommend. So this article outlines 15 of them—all under $40! The first five items are under $10, the next five items are under $20, and the last five are just under $40. So let’s dive in!
1. Solid gardening gloves
A good pair of garden gloves is a no brainer. And I have gone through A LOT of gardening gloves. No matter what brand I got, they always seemed to get holes after a few months. Then I found these gloves. They are technically “work gloves,” so they give me a bit less dexterity with my fingers.
However, they have stayed in great shape through a ton of work and washing. And they aren’t that expensive, either—definitely worth for $10 price point if I don’t have to buy a new pair every few months!
2. Fiskars seed planting trowel
The Fiskars seed planting trowel is a nifty little tool that has stood the test of time in the garden for me. And at under $10 it’s definitely worth it! Even when I’m not digging small holes for seeds, I find that it’s super helpful for chipping away at tough soil spots.
And it’s good for more precision digging. Fiskars is a really reputable brand, and the whole trowel is really lightweight while still being super sturdy.
3. Xylene-free garden marker
A xylene-free garden marker might seem like an unnecessary purchase…but they really do stand up to the elements! I find that even permanent marker washes off rather quickly when exposed to water, humidity, and sun for longer periods of time.
Xylene is a solvent often used in marker inks, but it can sometimes contribute to faster fading. Xylene-free markers, particularly those designed for outdoor use, also tend to resist fading because they used pigments that are highly resistant to fading and weathering.
4. Pull-on arm protection
I love using my pull-on arm protection sleeves! They are especially useful when it’s warm outside—they protect my arms from both the sun and irritation from brush. I can’t tell you how many times something as simple as picking through pole beans has let to irritation on my arms. These things come in multipacks and wash great, too.
5. Five-gallon buckets
And maybe one of our most-used items in the yard: 5-gallon buckets! You can buy these at any big-box store for pretty cheap. However, I’d recommend checking Facebook marketplace for lower prices—or even free ones!
When we finished part of our basement, we hired out the drywall work. After he was done, he asked if we wanted to keep some of the buckets, and I use them all the time when I’m weeding, hauling harvested rainwater around, picking up compost from the dump, and more.
6. Bulb auger
A bulb auger that attaches to any common drill is not just great for planting bulbs in the garden. Sure, it speeds up that process and loosens the soil quickly and efficiently. BUt it’s also good for mass planting things like groundcover.
I planted a ton of ground cover plugs last year and used my bulb auger to fly through drilling holes, loosening the soil, and popping plugs in. If you plant a lot of bulbs or think you might use it for something like mass plantings, I think it’s worth it. You can see it in action in my video about planting hyacinth bulbs, too.
7. Hori-hori knife
A hori-hori knife is a Japanese tool to end all tools in the garden! It’s more of a knife than a trowel, but it has a slightly scooped blade with one serrated side and one sharp/smooth side. And handy measurements along the blade.
They are incredibly sturdy tools that meet a variety of needs around the garden, including digging, weeding (getting all the way to the taproot!), cutting, harvesting, measuring depth, pruning smaller branches, and dividing plants at the root level. I had a knock-off version that didn’t last, so I was super excited my husband got me the real thing for Christmas this year.
8. Hoops for a grow tunnel
A set of grow hoops that can be assembled and disassembled easily for storage is a great way to extend your growing season! You can use them to construct hoop houses to start growing earlier in the season—or later in the season.
However, they are also great for protecting vulnerable plants from pests. From squash bugs to nibbling critters like rabbits and squirrels, simply draping some netting over the hoops will still allow water and sun to get to the plants while also protecting them.
9. Ugly sun hat
My husband calls my sunhat ugly—I call it utilitarian! Haha. In addition to lathering up with sunscreen, this hat is great for shielding my face and neck during peak summer sun. It’s also breathable and washable—and you can tighten it so it doesn’t fall off when you’re bending over, digging, and planting in the garden. Oh—and a hole for a ponytail in the back!
10. Lightweight UV shirt
I put off getting a good lightweight UV shirt for a while because they aren’t cheap. And I lather up with sunscreen. But a long-sleeved UV shirt is a great option for additional protection. Not just from the sun, but for arm protection, too. I got the shirt below in two different colors, and they wash really well.
11. Yard waste bin
Sure, you can just throw your yard waste in a pile. Or you can use pallets or something like that to contain everything. But we love these for yard waste and the leaves we collect! I have a whole post about making leaf compost that spotlights these bins. They are lightweight yet sturdy and very breathable. Big fans.
12. Seed organizer
Oh man! I love my seed organizers! I have two of them, one for flower seeds and one for veggies. I love that this keeps everything organized. The numbers correspond to a Google Docs spreadsheet I maintain, so I don’t even have to swap out the labels when I switch up what kind of seeds I’m storing.
13. Chicken wire plant covers
Sure, you can just use chicken wire. But critters will find their way in! I use these chicken wire plant covers to protect tender plants when they sprout, because I know that if I can just get them big enough, the groundhogs won’t totally destroy them. You could also use them as frost protection over specific plants by throwing a towel or blanket on top of them in a pinch.
14. 4×8 fence panel
I am a huge fan of cattle panels as trellises, but they are 16 feet long and often too big for a plant’s needs. Instead, get a wire fence panel! They are roughly 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. You can mount them to fences for climbing plants, or zip-tie them to fence posts or stakes for a tall vertical trellis. And reuse them every year. You can usually find these easily at a Tractor Supply or similar type of farm supply store.
15. Liquid seaweed concentrate
I impulse bought a jug of this stuff when I read a review that said, “buy this stuff if you want 10-foot tomatoes.” And omg, they weren’t lying. I give this Liquid Seaweed stuff to everything now! It is derived from Ascophyllum Nodosum seaweed, which naturally contains carbohydrates, micro-nutrients, and organic matter.
All types of plants will love this stuff—fruit trees, vegetables, herbs, houseplants, succulents, cacti, flowers, shrubs, and more 🙂 It’s not cheap, but it’s highly concentrated and lasts a long time. I truly love what it has done for my garden.
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Brittany is a seasoned DIY home and garden expert, running a creative brand since 2014 that inspires others with approachable plant care guides, woodworking tutorials, and decor projects. She is a certified project manager and has completed extensive coursework in the art and science of growing your own plants. Her work has been recognized by major publications, and she routinely collaborates with fellow DIY industry leaders—but her favorite thing to do is inspire you! Learn more about her here.
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