National Gardening Day: Essential Tools Every Beginner Needs

National Gardening Day puts a spotlight on the tools that can turn gardening failures into successes. Many people give up on growing plants because they think they weren't born with gardening skills.

Gardening Supply experts say four tools form the foundation of any garden toolkit. Gloves protect hands from thorns and dirt. A sharp pruning tool keeps plants healthy by removing dead parts. A watering can or hose gets water to plant roots. A trowel or spade moves soil and plants seeds.

For beginners with bigger gardens, Garden Design magazine recommends adding a garden fork for turning soil and loppers for cutting thicker branches. The Woodland Tools Compact Duralight lopper gets praise for its lightweight design and gear-amplified cutting power.

The tools work equally well for apartment dwellers with container gardens and homeowners with full yards. Starting with quality basic tools costs less than replacing cheap ones that break quickly.