With winter soon coming to an end, it’ll be time to get your home’s yard ready for the spring. Whether that’s prepping it for gardening or installing new features to spruce things up, there’s likely going to be a lot of work for you to tackle.
If you’re having trouble identifying where to start, simply take a look at your garden and decide what you want to add or remove. Once you have it figured out, you’ll need a handful of essential tools to help you get the job done.
Assessing your garden’s needs
Assessing your lawn and garden after a long winter can feel overwhelming, but it’s a necessary step that’ll help you determine what needs to get done to get your home ready for spring. The primary things you’ll want to take note of when checking your garden are deciding which areas need a cleanup and which plants need transplanting or prepping for new growth. That’ll give you an idea of which gardening tools you’ll need on hand to get the job done.
Gather your gardening tools and essentials
You’ll want to start with a quality pair of gardening gloves to protect your hands from thorns, splinters and blisters. Once you have those, here are a few tools and other essentials you might have to gather depending on your garden’s needs:
- Rake: Clear leaves, dead grass and other debris. Also, for helping level the soil.
- Hand trowel: A mini-shovel for digging small holes to plant seeds.
- Pruning shears: Trim bush or tree branches and shape plants.
- Shovel: Ideal for bigger jobs where moving large quantities of mulch or soil is necessary.
- Leaf blower: Works better than a rake for clearing leaves and debris in larger areas.
- Wheelbarrow: Makes moving soil, mulch, and debris much more manageable.
Know your hardiness zone
A hardiness zone refers to the best time of year for you to plant seedlings. Because frost can ruin young seedlings, it’s essential to check a hardiness zone map before you start planting. Your hardiness zone depends on your geographical location. For example, mid-Atlantic gardeners should usually wait until after Mother’s Day. If in doubt, you can find out your hardiness zone through a quick online search or through the .
The good news for those eager to get started is that you can garden indoors, even if you’re still outside your hardiness zone. You can do this by placing planted seedlings by a sunny window. Once the weather starts to warm up, you can move your seedlings outdoors.
Special projects you can start today
Spring cleanup is a good place to start preparing your home for spring, but there are many projects you can also start right away that’ll improve your yard’s look.
- Raised garden: Consider installing a raised garden bed and plan ahead for materials, sun and shade exposure, what you want to plant and where it’ll be.
- Mailbox upgrade: Replacing an old mailbox is a simple way to improve curb appeal and make the front of your home look more polished.
- Rain barrel: Installing a rain barrel allows you to collect and reuse rainwater for your garden, helping you save money and conserve water.
- Repairs: Repair damaged outdoor features such as fences, gates and other structures before yard projects and outdoor activities pile up.
- Greenhouse: If you have the space, a greenhouse can extend your growing season.
- Fire pit: A fire pit can create a cozy outdoor gathering space for summer nights, but keep in mind that it should be installed at a safe distance from buildings, trees and flammable objects.
Best gardening tools for spring home prep
Crafted in Switzerland for outstanding cutting performance, these 9.5-inch shears are a must-have for cutting plant stems and small branches. The nonslip coating and angled head make cutting easy, and the hardened steel blade delivers clean, precise cuts every time. Plus, it has replaceable parts and the blade can be sharpened for years of reliable performance.
This heavy-duty rake has a 17-inch head and a 68-inch length for more reach and manageable leaf and debris cleanup. It features long tines to loosen compact soil and short tines to spread and level soil, making it ideal for garden prepping. Plus, it’s easy to assemble and detach for convenient storage.
If you’re going to do some DIY projects, such as installing a greenhouse or replacing a mailbox, it’s a good idea to have this drill and impact driver handy. Its compact design makes it easy to work in tight spots and easy one-handed bit-loading makes drilling smooth. Plus, it doubles as an electric screwdriver and comes with a convenient storage bag.
With 24 minutes of runtime and two rechargeable batteries, this leaf blower will make clearing debris a piece of cake. It’s significantly quieter than gas-powered leaf blowers, and it features a Boost button that ramps up airflow to effectively remove stubborn debris. Its compact design makes it easy to hold and move around, and protective technology keeps it safe from dust and moisture.
This gardening tool kit is excellent for taking the guesswork out of what you need to get started with garden prep this spring. It’s a 23-piece set that includes a spray bottle, shovel, crack weeder, hand rake, weeder, pruner and even gardening gloves. Every tool is rustproof for long-lasting durability, and the bag makes it easy to store and organize everything in one place.
The 24-inch design makes this garden bed twice as large as standard beds, making it perfect for larger yards. The open-bottom design provides excellent drainage, and the galvanized steel design with reinforced corners gives it superior durability. It’s high enough to keep small animals out and reduce stooping while gardening.
If you have a lot of dirt or mulch to move around, this wheelbarrow will help you get the job done more efficiently. It can hold up to 5 cubic feet of soil, mulch and debris, and features large 14-inch rubber wheels for superior steering, even on uneven terrain. Plus, it has a low-profile design that prevents tipping over and a thick padded handlebar for added comfort.
Other gardening tools and essentials
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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