This is my list of the best gardening tools I’ve found, helpfully organized with links to my favorites.
The Meadow Creature Broadfork
This is one of my favorite tools of all time:
They also were impressed enough with my review that they later became a sponsor of this site. They’re great people making a great American tool. When you buy one, tell them David The Good sent you!
Border Fork
I like this border fork from Spear and Jackson:
Stainless and well-built. I’ve always been a sucker for the look of stainless steel.
Digging Spade
Here’s another nice stainless tool, this time a spade:
Stainless is good if you leave your tools out, as I may do… all the time.
The handles on these are quite nice and similar to those on the Clarington Forge tools, such as this next spade.
Poacher’s Spade
I love Clarington Forge tools. So much so that I used to be a distributor. The heads are made from solid forged steel in England. They’re one of the last tool companies that hasn’t been eaten by the hollow promises of Free Trade and outsourced to China.
This poacher’s spade will last forever:
They cost more for a reason: they’re tools that last for generations, unlike the many Chinese tools I’ve broken over the years. Sharpen the edge of that sucker with a file and it’s a root-cutting machine that will last through the Apocalypse.
The Scuffle/Hula Hoe
This tool is the BOSS for quick and easy weeding, both on the forward and backward stroke:
The oscillating blade self-sharpens and decapitates weeds without you having to chop at the ground. Very good tool.
Easy Digging Grub/Grape/Adze Hoes
I love all the tools I’ve gotten from EasyDigging.com. I use their hoes regularly for shaping beds, moving earth, planting trees, digging ponds and of course, chopping weeds. Solid forged steel means they last forever and take a really good edge.
Cotton Hoe
If you already have a grub hoe and/or a grape and adze hoe from EasyDigging.com, why not add this vicious little earth mover and ground clearer to your collection? These suckers are made from reclaimed disc blades. Nice.
Felco Snips and Pruners
When I owned my nursery business I used two pairs of Felco pruners constantly. These snips were always in hand when I was sticking cuttings:
And these classic Felco pruners are what I use when working on my fruit trees and doing grafting:
I’ve been using these pruners for multiple years now and they’ve well out-lived all the cheap pairs I owned before.
Planet Whizbang Wheel Hoe
The Planet Whizbang Wheel Hoe is practically indestructible and turns the job of weeding a big space into a quick and pleasant task.
I’ve plugged this wheel hoe in my book Grow or Die: The Good Guide to Survival Gardening as well as in my popular film 13 Tips, Tricks and Lessons from Homesteading an Acre.
Go get one. It’s wonderful.
Seedling Heat Mat
I used to start all my moringa seedlings in the spring on one of these heat mats:
For anything that you want to get going early, a heat mat gets it done. It makes a big difference when rooting cuttings as well. I made back the cost of the mat the first time I started a round of seedlings on it in February.
Silky Gomboy Pruning Saws
These Japanese saws are incredible, despite their silly name:
You can cut down a small tree in seconds with this saw. I have the large-toothed version but they are all highly rated. Excellent for fast, clean cuts when you graft or open up limbs to let more light into a food forest or orchard.
Machetes
Don’t buy one of the Gerber “Gator” machetes. They’re horrible, despite being a best-seller on Amazon. The metal is lousy. However, these guys are great:
The Ontario military machete is a serious tool and will serve you well whether you’re clearing brush or harvesting bananas.
Another very nice machete that’s quite similar to one I bought locally (I live in machete country) for my wife is this sweet Golok machete from Condor Tool and Knife:
Attractive and nice for jungle treks.
Grafting and Budding Knife
This is a nicely designed grafting and budding knife:
I usually use a cheap utility blade in my grafting, as demonstrated in my instructional film, but I really like this knife and its options.
Tree Wound Sealer
While we’re on the topic of grafting tools, Treekote tree wound sealer works very well and dries quite quickly.
Treekote is my favorite choice for grafting projects and is the same sealer I use in Get Grafting!
Parafilm Grafting Tape
Stretchy and waxy parafilm tape works great for grafting. You can wrap it over a scion to prevent it from drying out and the new buds will simply grow right through the parafilm. Good stuff.
Haws Watering Can
I’ve wanted a Haws watering can for a long time but just can’t bring myself to spend the money. Frivolous of me to want one, perhaps, but the capacity, longevity and gentle rain pattern of this classic are hard to resist.
Maybe I’ll put it on my birthday wish list.
Korean Weeder Cultivator
I bought three of these Korean weed cultivators from a friend at the 326 Community Market and we’ve found them very useful for our vegetable gardens.
Rustic-looking but quite effective, especially once sharpened.
My wife loves using hers for weeding and making seed furrows.
Scythe
I am a sucker for scythes and am thrilled that Amazon carries good ones now. You need to buy in two pieces, first the blade:
And then the snath (the fancy name for a scythe handle):
If you have rougher grass, weeds and brush to cut, I also recommend springing for a bush blade. I prefer one of those as my primary since I usually grow polyculture food forests with more than just easy-to-fell grass. A scythe stone is a must-have as well, since frequent sharpening is very important for efficiency.
Fruit Picker Basket
If you have tall trees with lots of fruit, you’ll also want a fruit picker basket.
We use ours all the time, attached to a long bamboo pole. They’re great for peaches, citrus, mangoes and more.
*Note: if you buy anything through one of my Amazon links, I make a small percentage on the sale and it doesn’t cost you a penny. Thank you!
Finally…
Did I miss any of the “best gardening tools” on your own list? Let me know in the comments.
You can have greener thumbs by this weekend!
29 comments
Hi David,
Another wonderful tool is the Japanese Kama. I ordered this one from Amazon. and it looks like they don’t have them in stock. Maybe later.
It has great reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002CSZ3NM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It slices gently into the earth with its tiny sharp edge, to get at weeds near other plants.
it scuffle hoes on a small basis.
peace love and food forests.
Gail
Thank you, Gail. I haven’t tried one yet but I’ve had a kama on my “must try” list for a long time.
What about that blade with the hook on the end you’re using in your recent videos? Need to get my Christmas list organized now ;-)
Also, I feel silly asking but could you explain the different uses for the different types of spades and hoes?
One hopes that no one will actually buy the snath herein recommended. Visit these guys, scythesupply(dot)com. Note on the opening page the snath pictured. The scythe and snath this writer bought from them weighs 4 1/2 pounds. The snath is fitted to the owner. They will ask for one’s height and certain arm measurements. My understanding of the above wavy snath, it is what one sees on the English scythe, and need a lot of body contortion to keep the blade level and parallel with the ground. The Austrian or ‘Swiss’ snath, with the blade pictured here or those from scythe supply need only a rotating hip motion to use, that is, no arm swinging. I find that if my arms are tiring, I am gripping too tightly. Watch the video to see the technique. Save you arms.
Hi Kerry,
I’ve always used my American scythe without issue. One of these days I’ll get around to trying a European one. Maybe when I’m a bit richer. Scythesupply.com is a great resource.
Thanks for stopping by.
David
Oh my!!! I see that the snath pictured above weighs 6.6 pounds, without blade; (though blade weight is negligible).
Might I recommend the hori-hori knife. I find it much superior to the typical garden trowel. Mine is so old that I don’t remember what brand or where it came from. Just the thing for transplanting or digging that large rooted weed.
Yes indeed – that’s a good addition.
I just tried mine out for the first time and I was extremely impressed. Great tool! I got the Cielcera brand on Amazon.
Saw your recent video (attacking the beds in Colombia– after you said “the heck with it'”) with Rachel using the broadfork…it looks like it works great…now I really want one!
When you get the chance,would you please do a video on the care & maintenance of such tools?
~Yes sirree bob– if you have fruit trees get the long handled fruit picker!
Love the videos, especially the pancake challenge & Yamfit (who new yams could be so funny??) ..& glad that no sisters were harmed in the film.
My daughter and I loved Rachel’s cooking video– said daughter had me chase down some green bananas from the store so she could see if they were indeed potato-like when cooked!
Please pass the good word to her!
~Maybe we could float a van to you…might get there quicker than yours getting fixed in the shop?
Thanks for the fun & info. packed gardening videos!
This is the best mango picker
https://www.groworganic.com/clip-n-pick-pruner-head-only.html
I bought mine from the local mango orchard and it is 100x better than the usual claw type. Too bad I couldn’t have found the Clip N Pick 20 years ago.
That is beautiful – never saw one like it before. Thank you. I am a fan of GrowOrganic.
Hey,
Great post, that’s a complete list of tools. Interesting. I like the fruit picker basket. Must give it a try next time.
Keep it up
Zac
Japanese hori hori. https://www.amazon.com//dp/B016BBM6FI/cinnamophotoa-20
Precise weeding, deep root cutting, separating ornamental grasses, planting seeds…best garden tool I have!
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Hi, I wanted to use the links through your site, but the Spear and Jackson brand items you link to are showing as out of stock. It appears that the same items are now available on Amazon but perhaps it’s a “new model”. Can you update the links so that Amazon throws you a bone for the referral?
Thank you – it should still give me a kick-back so long as you entered through one of my links. I couldn’t find the same one.
Dear David,
What’s the trowel your wife is using in the “7 Ways …” video? Long blade, very solid. In WV, we have about 3 inches of “soil” with shale underneath, and I have to plant using a mattock. That trowel would allow me to get deeper when I don’t have room to swing a handled tool. Thanks.
Love your site and books. Many blessings,
Rick
Probably the White’s Digger: https://www.whiteselectronics.com/product/digmaster/
And thank you – blessings to you as well.
Believe it or not I bent my Meadow Creature Broadfork, not severely just one handle slightly (now it causes me to misjudge and not fork in a straight line) anyway almost immediately after contacting them easydigging.com responded and offered to make it right. I couldn’t let them as the tool is still functional and I most likely went above and beyond what a person should do to a broadfork. Our entire 3600sqft garden was initially turned over with the Meadow Creature and I still use it every spring to loosen the soil, no doubt it will outlast me.
Love your youtube channel and blog!
Sorry I misspoke, it was Meadow Creature not Easy Digging that responded to me, it’s been several years ago and I’d ordered 2 hoes from easydigging.com at the same time.
FYI the Poacher’s Spade is sold out. Only place I could find it is at the manufacturer’s website: https://bulldogtoolsusa.com/
David, how much Treekote and tape ought I buy for survival needs? Rough estimate. Enough trees to feed fruit to a large family and share some for barter. We currently have about 20 trees but would perhaps quadruple that (or more!) if given the opportunity. Just looking for a rough estimate.
We love your channel and are starting our own food forest and single row garden in Spring. We are watching all your videos and have several of your books. I am wondering if you could make a recommendation for another wheel hoe since he is no longer making the one you use?
The single-wheel Hoss wheel hoes with pistol grips are good.
Any irrigation system tips/suggestions? (excepting a hose and child labor)
I like stand pipes (PVC zip-tied to a post of some sort) with rainbird sprinklers on top. Much easier than using drip irrigation. Turn a handle and it rains!
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