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Tools & Supplies

Getting your garden started for the first time or just expanding it doesn't require an enormous and immediate investment in every gardening accessory you've ever heard of. The amount of tools you truly need will depend on what types of gardening you plan to do. Focusing on your patio container garden? Safe to pass on the pitch fork.

 

The recommendations we make here are for things that we use every day in our garden. They are high quality, and have good reputations among many gardeners. Your garden shed may not look exactly like our list, and that's ok. You should have only what your garden needs. Seek out local tool libraries or generous neighbors whom you can share tools with.

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In the interest of efficiency, these items will soon have a purchasing link. Or, have our Personal Shopper pick some up for you at a local store! This extensive list is just part of what the NW Garden Coach uses almost daily. Some links below are to partner sites, including local artists and other small businesses.

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  • Glove: weeding, digging, planting, utility

  • Sturdy Shoes and Boots

  • Layers of comfy outdoor clothing to get dirty and/or sweaty in

  • Rain Gear: there is no bad weather, only bad clothing choices

  • Sunscreen

  • Hat

  • Water bottle

  • Boot Brush

  • Kneepad/Outdoor Cushion

  • Gentle cleansing hand soap

  • Pain reliever

  • Arnica Gel

  • Comfy chair to take breaks in

  • A trusted massage therapist

  • Neighbor with a hot tub

  • A sense of humor & spreadsheet skills

  • Spades

  • HoriHori

  • Garden Fork/Claw

  • Hand tiller

  • Weeding Fork

  • Hand Tool Caddy

  • Pitchfork

  • Shovels: flat and pointed

  • Rakes: flat metal and wide/fan

  • Push broom & regular broom

  • 5-gallon buckets

  • 32-gallon trash can

  • Hoses: garden, soaker, spray nozzle

  • Watering can

  • Harvesting baskets

  • Wheelbarrow or yardway

  • Home Compost Bin

  • Store-bought compost backup

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  • Garden Journal

  • Garden Art

  • Categorized receipts from all garden-related spending, including water bill

  • Worm bins

  • Raised Bed Kits & Containers

  • Cloche Frame/Tunnel

  • Row Cover

  • Soil Thermometer

  • Soil pH & Moisture meter

  • Soil Test Kits

  • Grow Lights

  • Seed Starting Supplies

  • Assortment of repurposed plastic containers & lids for a variety of needs

  • Seed Catalogs

  • Gardening Resource Library

  • Continuing Garden Education

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