What Gardening Tools Would Grandma Swear By? Here’s THE List!
When I was a little girl, I thought my grandma’s garden was magical. Her calloused hands, stained with soil, seemed to know exactly where to dig, prune, and plant. Her soft but firm voice guided me as I trailed behind her, wide-eyed and eager to learn.
The years passed, but nothing really changed. My grandma is still the one who guides me in gardening. Her passion is inspiring. I understood how much her dedication shaped my perspective on gardening only when I sat alone in my own garden, surrounded by the tools she taught me to use.
My grandma’s garden was more than just a plot of land; it was her sanctuary. I want mine to be the same. Sometimes, I just need to call her and ask her for advice. The fact that she is no longer here pains me a lot. I miss sitting together, drinking our favorite tea while talking about our gardening tools.
Caring for my plants makes me feel like she’s still here with me. Gardening is part of me because of her; I will never let this beautiful passion fade. My grandma knew everything about plants. She knew which ones liked the sun, preferred the shades, needed extra water, and didn’t need a lot of attention. She considered the plants her babies and had daily conversations with them. You might think I am crazy, but I do the same with mine, and my husband keeps laughing at me.
The first time in the garden
I remember the first time my grandma let me enter her beautiful garden. I was maybe 7 or 8 years old, and I had been begging her for weeks to let me plant something. Finally, she handed me a packet of sunflower seeds and let me play with them.
“Here,” she said, kneeling beside me. “This is your spot. You can plant whatever you want here.”
I was thrilled. I carefully dug a hole, dropped in a seed, and covered it with soil. Then, I sat back on my heels and waited.
“What’s going on? Where is my sunflower?” I asked after a few minutes.
She laughed at me, and I can still hear her laughing in my mind. “Oh, how much I miss you, grandma! “ She finally stopped laughing and said, “It’s not going to grow overnight, Tasha. You have to be patient.”
I kept asking how long it would take for my flower to grow, and my grandma taught me how to take care of it and have the best results. I gave it water, and I took care of it, and the sunflower grew taller than I was. It was the first thing I ever planted and the beginning of my love affair with gardening.
The importance of gardening for children
Interestingly, I didn’t use any gardening tools the first time I planted those seeds. All I did was dig with my hands and feel the soil. It was a truly unforgettable experience for me. So, if any mothers or grandmothers are reading this article, please establish a connection between nature and kids from an early age. They must understand the benefits of spending time outside surrounded by flowers. Showing them how a little seed can grow into a beautiful plant is a very good exercise to make them understand the power of nature.
My grandma’s garden was a haven for all kinds of creatures. Bees buzzed around the flowers, butterflies moved from plant to plant, and even some frogs occasionally hopped through the grass. She taught me to appreciate these little visitors, explaining how each one played a role in the garden’s ecosystem.
Gardening has the power to boost creativity. I’ll never forget when my grandma and I built a trellis for her cucumbers. She let me get involved, measuring the wood, hammering the nails, and even painting it orange. It was a complex project that required a lot of creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
All of these gardening projects helped me become the person I am today. Every little lesson I’ve learned in nature shaped my mentality and helped me develop multiple skills.
I believe from the bottom of my heart that every child should experience gardening. It’s the only way humans can fully connect with the power of nature and understand its benefits. Nowadays, kids spend much time on their iPhones and iPads and forget about playing outside with friends. Most of the kids live in big cities, so they don’t really know what life looks like when you need to take care of a garden and feed an entire family from it.
Gardening promotes healthy eating habits
There is something magical about eating food you’ve grown yourself. Am I right? Have you ever tried it? I still dream about my grandma’s homegrown tomatoes. They were incredibly juicy and sweet, nothing like the ones from the store. At present, I am trying my best to make the most of my vegetables, and even my husband admits that I am doing an amazing job.
He doesn’t really understand my passion, but who knows? Maybe one day, I’ll convince him to join me on this adventure. I’ll keep you guys updated.
Gardening is a great trick for children to convince them to eat healthier. If they put effort into growing their vegetables, they’re more likely to enjoy them. It was the same in my situation. Before starting my gardening journey, I didn’t really enjoy eating vegetables, even though all of my family members constantly told me how important they were.
Now, let’s get to the most interesting part. Below is a list of some of the most loved, tried, and used gardening tools. Generations of gardeners love all of these. So, if you are a beginner, take some notes! This information is more precious than you can even imagine.
Want a thriving garden? Use these grandma-approved tools
1. Garden towel
You should already know that every gardener needs a towel. My grandma used to have one; it was her go-to tool, especially when planting seeds or digging weeds.
I invested in a high-quality towel when I moved into my new home with my husband. I wanted a resistant one with a comfortable grip and a sturdy blade.
2. Garden fork
If you are a beginner, a garden fork might not be on your shopping list, but trust me, this tool is also a life-changing one. It works best when you must turn compost or move hay and loosen the soil. Oh, and don’t get me wrong! A hand fork is also great for smaller tasks. I sincerely recommend you purchase both. Nana used to have them both, and she adjusted the tool depending on what she was up to. So, having them by your side is better if you change your plans overnight.
3. Shears
The shears are one of the most-used items in my garden. There are a lot of available models, but remember to look for sharp and strong ones that would help you get more of your tasks done. I advise buying the best brand-name clippers because they’re worth it. You’ll need them almost daily.
4. Gloves
We have agreed that gardening is a wonderful hobby, but it can quickly become messy without a pair of good gloves. Remember that there are some aspects you should take care of when choosing the perfect pair of gloves. First, it’s important to be water-resistant and breathable. They need to keep your hands cool and comfortable, even after some hours of wearing them.
They shouldn’t be bulky because gardeners frequently work with seeds or transplant seedlings. Having durable but thin gloves will make the entire work much easier.
Last but not least, when choosing the perfect gloves, you need to look for longer cuffs that can also protect your wrists and forearms from scratches. The perfect size will be making sure to help you keep all the soil from getting in.
5. Watering can
Although many watering can models are available, I have a special place in my heart for the classic ones. They remind me of my sweet grandma. I bought a red one with a long spout that makes my work easy. I use it weekly to hydrate my flowers and nurture my seedlings.
When looking for a watering can, it is important to know that it shouldn’t be heavy. You need a tool that is easy to carry and use. Also, make sure it allows gentle watering. Some plants need just a little bit of water in order to thrive.
6. Garden cart
I still have my grandma’s garden cart and use it to transport all my plants and tools around the yard. Such a tool is perfect, especially if you have a bigger yard. It’s not a great idea at all to carry all the heavy stuff in your hands. So, make sure you look for some options and choose one that suits your style.
The most important thing about a cart is, by far, the wheels. Some models even come with foldable sides for more storage space.
7. Garden kneeler
If there’s a tool that screams “grandma-approved,” it’s the garden kneeler. My grandma used it for everything. No matter how much she loved gardening, she always cared for her knees. It’s a really simple tool, and in reality, we all need it. It’s very effective because it makes many tasks, such as weeding and planting, much more comfortable.
Remember that a good kneeler should be easy to carry. The model I purchased even has a seat function, which is perfect for when I need to take a break.
8. Journal
My grandma had a lot of journals. She used to write a lot of stories about her plants. She was always walking around the house with small notebooks in her pockets, filled with notes about her garden. She used to write down there the planting dates, weather conditions, and even tips she found for the next season. She was extremely organized, and she became better and better every year. She couldn’t accept being at the same stage for too long. She was made to evolve and meet her highest potential.
Believe it or not, now I have my own journal. All the information that I can find online helps me a lot. I wrote down information from all the articles about gardening that seemed interesting. I like to explore new zones and try new things, and I always want to make the best out of my backyard.
It helps me a lot to track my work. As a retiree, I am not as busy as I used to be, but I still tend to forget many things. Having everything written makes me stay organized.
Oh, and a journal is also a powerful educational tool for children! It encourages them to pay attention to the details. My kids have seen me write things down all my life, and they are very attentive and have a critical-thinking mind.
I am so proud of our family’s current generations. I love seeing how we pass on the best lessons to the youngest generations. I can’t believe that my kids are just like their great-grandma. They always want to evolve and learn as many new things as possible.
9. Weeder
Gardeners complain about the labor involved in weeding, but with this tool, it becomes a very satisfying activity. My grandma used to hate weeding, but once she discovered this tool, her perspective totally changed.
Nowadays, I can’t even imagine a garden without one of these on hand. The best thing about them is that they’re incredibly cheap and you can find them almost everywhere. So, you’ll not need to spend a lot to take care of the aspect of your garden. Isn’t this tool cool? If you haven’t tried it yet, make sure you do, and come back to tell me how it went. I am really interested in reading about your personal experiences. Feel free to write me everything in the comment section found below.
10. Rake
A great leaf rake will become your best friend when leaves and debris fall in autumn. Although various models are available, I recommend starting with a standard leaf rake. Make sure you purchase an adjustable one to help you reach narrow areas and gather large piles of leaves.
11. Garden hat
My sweet grandma never stepped into the garden without her wide-brimmed hat. She wore it with pride, and it was like a tool against the strong sun, especially on summer days. For years, she called her hat her best friend.
Now, I have a huge collection of gardening hats, and I can only say that I love them deeply. They keep me calm and safe when the sun is up. They also feel like the final touch to my look when I leave my house. I feel more beautiful when I wear them.
We all know how the weather has been lately, so remember that hats are also great for kids. They teach them the importance of sun safety, and if they see you, as an adult, wearing them regularly, they will see them as a fun and practical tool.
12. Dibber
One of my favorite memories of gardening with my grandma is how she planted seeds precisely. She used a simple wooden dibber. It’s a pointed tool, perfect for making holes in the soil. If you use a dibber, you don’t need to dig deep. It’s incredibly easy to use, and I sincerely say it was a life-changing experience for me. I don’t want to remember the times when I was stubborn enough to refuse to try it, even though I knew well how much my nana loved it.
Since I bought it, it has rapidly become one of my most used tools. It’s perfect for planting bulbs and seedlings; I even use it for small plants.
Before leaving, please write me about your gardening experience in the comment section below. Tell me who passed this passion on to you. Was it your grandma? Or did you discover it yourself?
Also, if you want to learn more about gardening, you should read Say Goodbye to Invasive Plants with These 6 Pro Tips! We all know very well how annoying these invaders are. We don’t want them in our gardens, but we often don’t know how to get rid of them for good. This article will help you win the game against these stubborn invasive plants.
