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The Best Gardening Tools to Make Your Houseplants and Outdoor Garden Thrive

Pruning shears, watering cans, essential tool sets and much more.

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flowers and gardening tools
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Fall is the perfect time to boost your gardening skills — just think of all the colorful autumn plants or nutritious vegetables that you can grow to enliven your home. Whether you're in search of the best gardening tools to help your indoor plants flourish or keep your outdoor garden in tip-top shape, this list is here to help. Watering plants properly, keeping weeds at bay and repotting them the correct way are just a few of the responsibilities that can overwhelm any plant parent at times. These essential gardening tools, including a durable cultivator, a soil moisture meter, a sturdy watering can, and highly-rated pruning shears, are worth adding to your cart.

If you're partial to the snake plant, the monstera or another common houseplant, these picks for houseplants as well as outdoor gardens are great for beginners and professionals alike who are assembling a useful gardening toolkit. We've even considered affordable, easy-to-use items with positive online reviews to make sure you'll be happy with your purchase. Happy gardening!

1
Best Value

Fiskars Cultivator

Amazon’s Choice
Cultivator
1
Best Value

Fiskars Cultivator

Now 45% Off
$7 at Amazon$13 at Walmart$10 at farmandfleet.com

Whether you need to mix soil or remove weeds that are taking over your plant, this durable aluminum cultivator is sure to come in handy. It features an ergonomic handle to prevent wrist strain and there's a hole at the end for easy hanging when it's not in use.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "This is one of the sturdiest garden tools I've ever used and I have used it for years."

2
Best Overall Tool Set

Ukoke Garden Tool Set

Garden Tool Set
2
Best Overall Tool Set

Ukoke Garden Tool Set

Since there's no better time to upgrade your toolkit, consider this stainless steel set that comes with everything you need to maintain your garden: a trowel, a weeder, a rake, a spade, and a cultivator. There's even a vibrant orange tote to keep everything in place.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "Love this! It's perfect for all of my gardening needs!"

3
Repotting-Must Have

Hand Trowel

Hand Trowel
3
Repotting-Must Have

Hand Trowel

Featuring stainless steel and a comfortable wood handle, this hand trowel's sizable deep dish and narrow tip make it brilliant for repotting plants or planting.

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4
Multipurpose Pick

Hutzler Garden Colander

Garden Colander
4
Multipurpose Pick

Hutzler Garden Colander

You can never go wrong with a double-duty product, like this pink tote-style colander that has just enough space to gather—and wash—veggies from your garden.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "Super large and perfect for collecting veggies, fruits, etc."

5

Gardena Retractable Reel with Hose

Amazon’s Choice
Retractable Reel with Hose
5

Gardena Retractable Reel with Hose

Make watering your lawn stress-free with this retractable hose that can easily be mounted to a wall. It can swivel 180 degrees to ensure that your hose remains tangle-free while watering your lawn or garden. Plus, Dan DiClerico, the GH Institute's Home Improvement and Outdoor Director, is a fan.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "It’s easy to pull out to where you need and its swiveling ability is great for moving around corners."

6
Perfect for Small Spaces

Panacea A-Frame Plant Supports

A-Frame Plant Supports
6
Perfect for Small Spaces

Panacea A-Frame Plant Supports

If you're lacking garden space, think up, not out with this trellis, which climbs more than 4 feet tall. Ideal for cucumbers, squash, peas, and flowering vines, this top pick can also be folded flat and stored when not in use.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "I looked everywhere for good quality trellises and none of them compared."

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7

XLUX Soil Moisture Meter

Best Seller
Soil Moisture Meter

Nothing is more frustrating than overwatering or underwatering your plants, resulting in wilted or yellowing leaves. With this nifty meter, you can test the moisture of soil to determine the perfect time to water your plants. Just insert it into soil to find out the results.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "I love it and find that it takes the pressure out of taking care of my plants."

8

RED Home Club Garden Kneeler

Garden Kneeler
8

RED Home Club Garden Kneeler

Credit: Amazon

Don't let another day of gardening go by without having this well-cushioned kneeling pad in your arsenal. Available in six colors and two sizes, this foam pad provides much-needed knee support and has a handle for easy carrying.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "Wind, rain, or shine-these pads stay put through all weather and maintain their use for several years."

9

Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food

Indoor Plant Food
9

Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food

In addition to sticking with a consistent watering schedule and providing your plants with the right amount of light, they can also benefit from fertilizer.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "Use this every week when watering my plants. Works great! Some of my plants are more than 5 yrs. old and still looking great."

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10

Gorilla Carts Poly Garden Dump Cart

On Sale
Poly Garden Dump Cart
10

Gorilla Carts Poly Garden Dump Cart

Now 48% Off

Don't strain your back attempting to carry loads of mulch or plants around your garden. Try this sturdy cart, which is equipped to hold up to 600 pounds.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "Perfect for hauling rock of all sizes, dirt, sod, you name it."

11

Drain Smart Drainage Discs

Drainage Discs
11

Drain Smart Drainage Discs

With these drainage discs, you can ensure your soil remains whenever you water your indoor plants. Just place them at the bottom of your pot (gray side up) and you'll also help to keep root rot at bay in the process.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "These discs maintain their structure, so all I have to do is rinse them off (if you want to) and re-plant in the pot."

12
Best Flexible Hose

Flexi Hose Lightweight Expandable Garden Hose

Lightweight Expandable Garden Hose
12
Best Flexible Hose

Flexi Hose Lightweight Expandable Garden Hose

With this 50-foot flexible hose with eight different nozzle settings, you'll no longer have to worry about navigating any part of your garden. Plus, it's easy to store and comes with a lifetime warranty.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "It expands perfectly and then coils back up neatly. Strong, durable and no leaks."

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13

GardenHOME Garden and Yard Leaf Scoops

On Sale
Garden and Yard Leaf Scoops
13

GardenHOME Garden and Yard Leaf Scoops

Now 22% Off

You need to set the stage before you begin planting flowers, vegetables, and fruits. This pair of hand rakes are a game-changer for removing leaves — wet or otherwise — and placing mulch in your refreshed flower beds.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "I put them to work and I'm really impressed!"

14
For the Fashionable Gardener

DIGZ Leather Palm Garden Gloves with Knit Wrist

Leather Palm Garden Gloves with Knit Wrist
14
For the Fashionable Gardener

DIGZ Leather Palm Garden Gloves with Knit Wrist

There's no reason why gardening tools can't be pretty. These gloves aren't just under $10 — they boast a suede palm and knit wrist to keep you protected while gardening.

15

FELCO Leather Holster for Pruning Shears

Leather Holster for Pruning Shears
15

FELCO Leather Holster for Pruning Shears

Show how serious you are about gardening by keeping your favorite pruning shears in a leather holster. It's an easy way to keep your shears in good shape—and look cool while you're at it.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "The holster makes it very easy and comfortable to keep the shears on me the whole time I'm in the yard."

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16

Behrens 2-Gallon Steel Watering Can

2-Gallon Steel Watering Can
16

Behrens 2-Gallon Steel Watering Can

A good-quality watering can is an essential for any gardener. This two-gallon steel design, featuring a large rosette, is weather resistant.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "I cannot imagine a better steel watering can for the price."

17

FLORA GUARD 3-Piece Aluminum Garden Tool Set

On Sale
3-Piece Aluminum Garden Tool Set
17

FLORA GUARD 3-Piece Aluminum Garden Tool Set

Now 32% Off

There's no reason why your gardening tools have to be boring. This kit comes with a trowel, cultivator, and pruning shear that are all decked in eye-catching florals.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "It is bright and cheerful and sturdy too."

18

Fiskars Herb Snip

Herb Snip
18

Fiskars Herb Snip

Credit: Amazon

Keep your herbs, flowers, fruits, or vegetables in good shape with this compact snip that boasts stainless steel blades and a comfortable SoftGrip feature.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "I am a master gardener and don't go to my garden plot without this little tool!"

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19

LUCKYERMORE Folding Garden Kneeler

Folding Garden Kneeler
19

LUCKYERMORE Folding Garden Kneeler

Credit: Amazon

You won't have to worry about aches and pains with this compact garden kneeler and cushioned seat. The best part is that it folds up easily and even comes with four pouches to keep your gardening tools close by.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "This garden seat is very sturdy but not too heavy for me to carry around. It folds up easily and compactly, and unfolds quickly and easily too."

20
Pruning Gloves

Exemplary Gardens Leather Gardening Gloves

Leather Gardening Gloves
20
Pruning Gloves

Exemplary Gardens Leather Gardening Gloves

Credit: Amazon

These long pruning gloves are made of premium goat grain, so sharp thorns won't poke through. You can even take 'em beyond your garden: One reviewer wears them while brushing her long-haired Persian cat to avoid bites and scratches.

What Reviewers Are Saying: "I feel like everyone who has a rose bush should have these gloves. In fact, I just bought two more pairs for my mom and my sister for Mother's Day."

RELATED: 9 Great Gardening Gloves for *Not* Getting Your Hands Dirty

Headshot of Amanda Garrity
Amanda Garrity

Amanda Garrity is a lifestyle writer and editor with over seven years of experience, including five years on staff at Good Housekeeping, where she covered all things home and holiday, including the latest interior design trends, inspiring DIY ideas and gift guides for any (and every) occasion. She also has a soft spot for feel-good TV, so you can catch her writing about popular shows like Virgin River, Sweet Magnolias, Hallmark Channel’s When Calls the Heart and more. 

Headshot of Monique Valeris
Monique Valeris
Home Design Director

Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand's home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, "What's in My Cart."

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