This list comes from me, the person who is not a fan of “extras and gadgets” – these are the basic gardening essentials that I use all the time in my garden, and I know you’ll love as well! Affiliate links included – full disclosure here.
If I’ve learned one thing about gardening, it’s that sometimes simplicity is best.
We can truly complicate things way too much unnecessarily, and it adds a lot of unnecessary stress to gardening. As in many other areas of my life, I’ve found that simple is usually best.
This doesn’t just translate to my gardening methods, but the garden tools I use as well. Sure, there’s so many tools you CAN use in the garden, but many of them just complicate the process.
I would call myself a gardening minimalist, and it works well for me that way. The things I DO use in the garden are used heavily and often. So this is my official “garden essentials” list – from a minimalist gardener!
I’ve had a bunch of people ask for a post like this when I share my garden on my Instagram page, and I am glad to finally put it out here!
1. Weed Bucket
For under $10, this thing is a lifesaver! I love being able to tote this around with me in the garden (it’s super lightweight). It’s a lot easier to do the daily weeding without the big wheelbarrow bulkiness.
2. Soil Amendments : Azomite
purchase Azomite here for under $12
Write this one off as one of those things I had no idea about before becoming serious about gardening! Apparently this is crushed volcanic ash – it’s completely organic and natural to use in the garden, and the plants love it! I’ve used it twice so far – a little goes a long way. And my plants are thriving with it! I think I’ll do one more round of fertilizing for the summer. Just be careful not to inhale when you apply it!
2. (bonus) soil amendement: Mykos root enhancer
click here to purchase on Amazon
Another garden supplement I was introduced to this year and will never not use! I did a little experiment with my tomato plants – I planted 9 of them with Mykos and 1 without, and the difference is huge! You have to check out all of the reviews to see what I’m talking about too. It’s incredible stuff! The only thing: you have to use it when you plant your plants, since it has to touch the roots. It’s not something you add after things are already growing. Again – a little goes a long way! Also – organic and totally safe for your plants.
3. Bird netting
purchase the affordable bird netting we use here
Last year, I lost almost every single blueberry from our 3 blueberry bushes to the birds. So sad! This year, we added 3 new blueberry bushes to our little patch, and I was determined not to lose the berries this year. So we put some of our old stakes into the ground, and propped the bird netting on the stakes around our bushes. The pollinators are still able to get in & out, but the birds can’t steal our fruit. And we put them over our strawberry bed for the same reason – with great results! I will never not use bird netting for our fruits in our garden.
4. Flexible plant ribbon
purchase our plant ribbon here for under $10
I use this stretchy plant ribbon to help my indoor plants, but once I used it to help our plants train up the trellises outside, I was really sold! It doesn’t hurt the stalks, is really durable, and will last you a long time! Definitely worth having in your stash to help plants that need to be staked or climb up a trellis.
5. Outdoor deck box
click here for a great price on this deck box
This serves two purposes and I’m so glad we have it! It’s a sturdy seat in the garden, and it also provides great storage for these things I’ve linked above. I personally hate being down in our garden and realizing I left something important up in the garage or the house, so I love having it all on hand right down in our garden where I need it. This is perfect for storing the things we need down here, and it’s held up really well so far (plus it’s got amazing reviews as well!)
6. Apron
Click here for a cute affordable cotton + linen apron
OK hear me out – I know this seems so bougie BUT I truly love it! The reason is two-fold:
- 1: POCKETS. I love that this has deep pockets in it! I usually bring down scissors from my kitchen in my pocket to cut down some flowers. And then I always stick small beggies/fruit in my pockets right now too (lots of green beans getting stashed in there lately!)
- 2: Saves my clothes! Thank goodness for this, because I’m not necessarily very clean when I garden haha. I don’t have to change into “gardening clothes”, but I just throw my apron on top of whatever I have on and can go down without worrying about getting dirty.
7. Clogs
Click here to purchase these clogs – there are other color options!
These LIVE by my back door. I wear them every single day, often multiple times a day. Truth be told: I wish they were in a more neutral color. BUT hey I don’t lose them and my daughters think they’re so cute haha! They’re solid, made well, and they’re going to last a long time. They also clean up so well! Highly recommend having these!
8. Hori Hori knife
click here for the best gardening tool – check out these reviews!!
I saved my favorite for last! Again, another tool I never knew I needed, but will never NOT have in my garden now! This knife is sturdy, sharp, and super helpful. I use it for weeding almost daily, I use it for planting, and also for pruning my plants. This is what I love – one tool (that’s not expensive!) that serves multiple purposes. I love it so much!
And that’s it! My best 8 gardening essentials – the ones that I truly love and use all the time. I hope this is helpful for your gardening journey!
While you’re here, you’ll want to check out…
This is a GREAT list! My friend has a Hori Hori knife and I love it so much I’ve had one to my wish list.