23 Essential Gardening Tools, According to Horticulture Experts

​​It doesn’t matter if you have a green thumb or the touch of death when it comes to plants—if you don’t have the best gardening tools on hand, or at the very least, the right gardening tools, you’ll be fighting an uphill battle against stubborn weeds, hard soil, and, not to sound dramatic, but Mother Nature herself. You don’t need a shed full of equipment to get started as a gardener, but there are undeniably a few essentials that will spare you from needless effort and mistakes as you set out on your journey into home horticulture.

Rather than wandering aimlessly through the aisles of the nearest hardware store, your best bet is to heed the advice of those who have been gardening for years. That’s why SELF asked plant pros, instructors, and authors about the best gardening tools a newbie can buy if they want to get their garden up and running.

Furnishing your tool kit with these must-have items (and maybe a few extras that are simply nice to keep handy) won’t just make your yard work and potting more pleasant—it could even boost your confidence as a beginner. You might feel like a total botanical rookie, but your arsenal of pruners, snips, and trowels will suggest otherwise. With a little practice (and plenty of patience) you’ll be working like a seasoned (pun intended) plant parent in no time. 

Read on to stock up on the best gardening tools for beginners.