Last updated on November 22nd, 2023 at 01:05 am
Gardening tools: some are necessary, while others are not. Learning which ones you need when starting out can be confusing. Which ones are the most essential balcony hand garden tools? I certainly didn’t know, and I even thought I could manage without investing in any tools. But, now, after lots of mistakes and learning, I know this: gardening in any space, big or small, requires the appropriate tools. I mean, you can always improvise and use your old kitchen tools in the garden, or even your car tools (ahem). But the best option of course is to buy the proper tools for the purpose of gardening. These include the basics, such as a watering can, trowel, gloves, hand cultivator, and shears. They could also include optional tools such as a soil scoop, plant labels, and fancy cutting tools.
This post goes into more detail about some of the most important tools and supplies for your balcony gardenthatyou should have in your gardening tool kit right from when you start taking gardening seriously.
Essential Hand Garden Tools for your Plants
So you’ve bought plants from your local nursery and have decided to get serious about gardening. How hard can it be to grow some plants in your garden, right? Well, let me tell you: it can be easy and it can be hard. For instance, learning about the likes and dislikes of a plant? Hard (for me, anyway). Figuring out what essential vegetable gardening tools to use to different purposes? And figuring out which tools to invest in at the beginning? Not so easy. I wanted to buy them all. Luckily, I was limited by my bank balance. So in a bid to help others, here’s a list of the basic, essential gardening tools for your balcony garden (the gardening tools for beginners as well), as well as some ‘nice to have’ tools that simply make your life much easier. You decide which ones to invest in as you prepare for the planting season. You can also invest in some baskets as planters to make it all prettier.
Remember, good quality hand gardening tools are designed to last a lifetime. So if you can afford it, it would be more efficient and less wasteful to buy top quality tools rather than cheap ones.
1 // Watering Can
Choose a watering can with a rain spout. I’m sure the plants like the natural feel of rain haha. But also, the rain spout will be more gentle on your delicate baby plants, instead of raining down a storm on them. You can opt for a fancy watering can like this elegant one with the super long spout (all the better to reach the top plants in your vertical garden!), or go the more frugal route and buy this hand nozzle sprinkler that can attach to any old bottle lying around in your home.
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2 // Gardening Gloves
Pottering about in the mud is certainly hard on the hands and the fingernails. RIP your latest manicure. To prevent damage, you should definitely use gloves. I know many purists will scoff at wearing gloves in the garden, but hey, to each her own. Whether you’re cutting off weeds, repotting saplings, or mixing soil, you will need to protect your hands. Buy a pair that can be used for a long time, like these pretty gloves made of cotton. Avoid plastic, disposable gloves if you can. There are tons of options out there, so take your time and make the right purchase for your specific needs.
3 // Hand Trowel
You will be shoveling stuff in spades, so a small trowel would not go amiss. It can be used for turning the soil in your pots, during repotting (to dig holes and to shovel in soil). If you can get one with measurements to guide you, then even better.
4 // Hand Cultivator or Garden Fork
The multi-pronged hand cultivator is used to rake and till the soil, and to mix fertilizers into the soils when you’re feeding nutrients to your plants, and basically all around aerating of the soil in your pots. This tool has prongs at one end to do the deed, with a hand grip at the other end. I guess this could be seen as an optional tool by some, but it does what the trowel cannot do, and will be immensely helpful once you get the second and subsequent generations of plants going.
5 // Pruning Shears
Cutting, trimming, harvesting – all activities you will need to do in your garden, and that pruning shears will help you do very easily. Also known as a bypass pruner, you should choose shears that have rust-proof blades (and also remember not to accidentally cut your finger off).
Check out more high-quality pruning shears here.
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Optional Balcony Hand Garden Tools
These optional ones are ‘nice to have’ tools that you can always find a cheaper alternative for (something that’s lying at home already). I’m just listing them out here for when you feel like indulging.
1 // Gardening Belt or Tool Bag
You buy all these tools, and then what do you carry them around in? A gardening belt or tool bag (or garden apron!) will make this activity much easier and safer. It’s also way convenient – you can maximize the available compartments by housing your garden journal, your twines, seed packs, even your mobile phone. Kinda like Batman’s utility belt.
2 // Kneeling Pad
“Ah, my aching knees!” If that’s something that’s crossed your mind while uncomfortably kneeling in front of your plants, you may want to try this kneeling pad. Made of rubber, it offers much-needed cushion for your knees, and you can just use it to sit on the floor while getting to know your plants. The same purpose can be served with an old, thick blanket, so it’s not absolutely necessary. If you are buying a pad, though, make sure it is waterproof and can handle the wear and tear. You can also get knee pads that strap to your knees, like this one.
3 // Micro-Tip Pruning Scissors
As a practitioner gets more skilled, she will need more precise tools. And the micro-tip scissors is one such tool that can make a big difference when you’re a regular, experienced gardener. These scissors’ pointed blades are perfect for fine-tuned pruning work, for snipping off with precision – exactly what you need for your indoor herb garden. Get a stainless steel pair like this one. Be careful while using this, though!
4 // Self-watering Spikes
Travel very often? Instead of depending on luck and prayers (or the help of an absent-minded friend), invest in these self-watering spikes. They can turn into a slow-release drip system when plugged into a bottle or a reservoir.
5 // Soil Moisture Sensor Meter
Beginners know that they’re over or under-watering their plants only when the plant dies. Ahem, just kidding. There’s no need to use approximate quantities when you can precisely measure the moisture level in the pot soil. How cool is that! This soil moisture meter is pretty affordable as well, so it’s not really a luxury item and it can work out to be very useful (life-saving for your plants, I’d say!).
Care Tips for Your Balcony Gardening Tools
So you’ve bought the best tools for yourself, and spent quite a bit on them. The next step is to make sure you take good care of your tools. They have to last you as long as possible, so you should follow these tips:
- Clean all your tools thoroughly with water after each use, and then wipe them dry with cloth (make sure they’re dry before putting them away).
- Sanitize your tools regularly (once a few weeks at least). This isn’t because of COVID, but to remove bacteria and other germs that can come over from the soil. Use alcohol wipes or disinfectant to wipe them thoroughly.
- Take special care of tools with sharp blades. Get them sharpened every few months, and make sure you lubricate them regularly with WD-40.
- Always store all your gardening tools indoors.
So, that was the list of some of the essential container gardening tools for your balcony garden. You can buy these gardening tools online of course, but when possible, do visit your local nursery and check out the tools there.
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