17 Tools Every Gardener Should Own

Best Long-Handled Tools

From left to right:

Long-handled pruner: For cutting branches more than ¾ inch thick. The Telescoping Pruner (Lee Valley, $41.50, leevalley.com) is lightweight and adjusts easily from 71 inches to almost 10 feet for greater reach.

Round-headed shovel: For digging holes to plant trees and shrubs and moving loose materials, such as soil, gravel, sand, and compost. This A.M. Leonard Razorback shovel ($47, amleo.com) has a comfortable footrest.

Transplant spade: For digging holes in confined areas of a densely planted bed. Lee Valley Tools, $35, leevalley.com.

Bow rake: For leveling soil for planting; spreading mulch, gravel, sand, and compost, and removing heavy debris. A.M. Leonard, $40, amleo.com.

Digging fork: For turning and cultivating unbroken soil, mixing amendments into soil, breaking up clods, and lifting bulbs and perennials for transplanting and dividing. Lee Valley Tools, $34, leevalley.com.

Leaf rake: For raking leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and other light debris from lawns. Available at garden centers, about $15.