the Best tools for your garden

Because your garden deserves the best of the best, I’ve pulled together a top-tier lineup of tools guaranteed to keep your urban green space thriving (and looking seriously stylish).

Best pruners

If you’re on the hunt for a pruner that can handle anything you throw at it, meet the Fiskars Bypass Pruner. It’s got a precision-ground steel blade that stays sharp for ages and a low-friction coating that practically laughs in the face of rust—so snipping away dead leaves and branches becomes a total breeze. The angled cutting head means your wrist won’t hate you afterward, while the non-slip grips keep things securely under control. Plus, it’s ambidextrous-friendly (shout-out to all the lefties!) and comes backed by a full lifetime warranty. Translation? This pruner is in it for the long haul.

As seen in my guide: Pruning Salvias: How to Prune for Abundant Flowers

Best Soil pH Test Meter

If you’re looking for a fuss-free way to keep tabs on your garden’s health, say hello to the Sonkir Soil pH Meter. It’s compact, easy to tote around, and the single-probe design means minimal soil disruption—plus, it doesn’t need batteries, so you can keep testing to your heart’s content. Consider it your one-stop shop for checking soil pH, moisture, and light levels, ensuring your plants stay in top form.

As seen in my guide: Rhododendron vs Azalea: How to Spot the Difference

Best Hori Hori Knife

Meet your new do-it-all garden sidekick: the Hori Hori Garden Knife. It sports a stainless steel blade with a handy depth ruler for super-precise planting, plus a diamond sharpening rod to keep that edge on point. Toss in a thick leather sheath and a lifetime warranty, and you’re basically set for every gardening adventure that comes your way.

As seen in my guide: A Guide to Growing Perfect Greenhouse Cucumbers

Best Balanced Fertilizer

If you’re after a fertilizer that basically does it all, Liqui-Dirt Natural Plant Food Fertilizer has you covered. It’s packed with 18 balanced superfoods plus essential micro-fungi and bio-organisms—all fully digested and prepped for plant absorption thanks to something called Zymology (fancy word, but I love it). Translation? Your plants get a complete health boost, growing stronger and happier. It’s a total go-to for that one-and-done, all-purpose fertilizing fix.

As seen in my guide: Does Fertilizer Go Bad? The Reality of Fertilizer Shelf Life

Best slow release fertilizer

If you’re looking for a set-it-and-forget-it plant food, Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food Plus is the real deal. It’s loaded with 11 essential nutrients that work across all sorts of conditions—indoors or out—and a single application can keep your plants fed for up to six months. Oh, and did I mention it’s super easy to use and won’t fry your precious blooms? Win-win.

As seen in my guide: Erigeron Karvinskianus: Growing Ground Cover for Pollinators

Best grow Light

If you’re looking to take your plants from zero to hero, the VivoSun LED Grow Light has you covered. It pumps out a full-spectrum glow that mimics natural sunlight, meaning your green babies can thrive through every stage. Plus, it’s crafted with top-notch materials and boasts excellent heat dissipation—so it stays cool, efficient, and safe for the long haul.

As seen in my guide: How Does a Greenhouse Work?

Best Organic Compost

If you’re looking to give your garden the ultimate glow-up, look no further than Ribbon Organics OMRI Certified Organic Compost. This versatile all-star doesn’t just improve soil structure—it also boosts water retention and packs in crucial microbial activity. The best part? It’s gentle enough for even your most fragile plants at any concentration. Translation: You can feel good about going all-in.

As seen in my guide: The Best Compost for Vegetable Gardens

Best Garden Trowel

If you’re looking for a trowel that takes tough soil in stride, the Edward Tools Garden Trowel is your new best friend. Crafted from a single piece of stainless steel, it’s basically bend-proof—so feel free to dig into the stubborn stuff. Plus, the ergonomic rubber handle and extra-large head make gardening feel like less of a workout. Bonus? It’s backed by a lifetime warranty, so it’s in it for the long haul.

As seen in my guide: How to Remove Grass to Start a Garden

Best shovel

Say hello to your new digging MVP: the Fiskars Pro D Handle Digging Shovel. With an aluminum handle, double-bolted connections, and an extended shank that amps up the overall strength, this thing is practically indestructible. Translation? You’ll never have to worry about your shovel tapping out before you do. It’s hands down the best shovel to own.

As seen in my guide: Spade vs Shovel: Digging into the Differences