Speciality hand tools are for small jobs in the garden and land. They assist with planting, trimming, edging, weeding, and digging in ways the bigger tools cannot. For professional landscapers and home gardeners, having the right specialty tools makes work easier, cleaner, and more comfortable.
What Are Specialty Hand Tools?
These tools are designed for jobs requiring greater precision than typical garden tools. Landscapers don’t use just a single tool for everything; they grab the tool designed for the job. It saves time, protects plants, and finally gives better results.
Pruners and Shears
These are the tools used to trim the plants and help them grow better.
- Pruners (also known as secateurs) may cut small branches and twigs, up to approximately ¾ inch in diameter. They’re terrific for cutting off dead or damaged sections of plants and for shaping shrubs.
- Hedge Shears are larger shears with long, straight blades. They make bushes and hedges look trim.
- Loppers have extendable handles and sturdier blades. They are designed to cut the thicker branches that the pruners can’t cope with.
These implements aid in shaping plants, promoting growth and tidying gardens.
Trowels and Transplanters
These are tools one needs to have on hand when planting and replanting.
- A trowel is a digging tool that has a concave blade used to create holes and to move and mix soil, as well as plant with a root ball or seedling. This is very handy in the flower beds or in tight places.
- The transplanter is like it, but has a smaller blade. It slips into tight spaces between plants and is ideal for lifting small flowers or herbs without disturbing the roots.
These accessories are useful tools that will make it easy for gardeners to plant and transfer plants smoothly.
Cultivators and Hoes
These tools prepare the soil and fight weeds.
- A hand cultivator has three curved prongs that loosen hard soil. It also helps mix in compost or fertilizer.
- Some tools combine a cultivator and hoe, offering two functions in one. One side digs, while the other side loosens soil.
- A draw hoe has a flat blade that cuts weeds just below the soil surface, stopping them from growing back quickly.
Cultivators and hoes are very useful for preparing garden beds and keeping them weed-free.
Forks and Rakes
These tools are helpful for clearing and leveling garden areas.
- A hand fork for digging, loosening earth, or taking up plants is a common garden tool. It's an excellent tool for raising root crops, carrots and potatoes as well.
- A bow rake has flat steel tines and a straight back. It’s ideal for spreading mulch, leveling soil and aiding in clean up after heavy garden materials.
- A leaf rake is a rake that has long, flexible tines, which are typically made of plastic, bamboo, or metal. It picks up leaves and grass clippings without marking the lawn.
All types of rakes and forks are in preparation to make household work easier and quicker.
Edgers and Weeders
These are tools that put in clean lines and take out unwanted plants.
- An edger, also known as a half-moon edger, is a curved tool used to cut sharp edges between the grass and garden beds. It also provides a neat, finished appearance to lawns.
- The stand-up edger tends to have big poles with sharp blades held horizontally on the footplate, under the long handle, to allow to cut the edges while one remain standing to not suffer any back strain.
- A hand weeder has a forked tip that pulls weeds from the root. It’s great for removing dandelions and similar weeds without digging too much soil.
These tools help keep gardens clean and well-defined.
Tools for Special Jobs
Some tasks need tools designed for a single purpose.
- A bulb planter is a hand tool designed to make holes of a specific depth with which to plant bulbs. It speeds up planting and ensures consistency.
- A planting auger attaches to a power drill and drills uniform holes quickly, particularly for bulbs or bedding plants.
- A dethatching rake is used to take off layers of dead grass, called thatch, from lawns. That allows air, water and nutrients to get to the roots.
They ease pressure from planting and lawn care aspects, particularly in large gardens.
How to Choose the Right Tools
Using strong, well-made tools makes landscaping easier and safer.
- Search for steel blades with a rust-resistant surface. They hold an edge longer and can work with harder materials.
- Ergonomic handles constructed of wood, rubber or fiberglass are more comfortable and reduce hand and wrist fatigue.
- Tools with a comfortable grip and good balance are easier to work with over extended periods of gardening.
- Quality tools may be more expensive on the front end, but they end up saving money in the long run because they last longer and work better.
Using the right tool for the job can save you time and prevent mistakes.
How to Care for Tools
Take care of the tools, and they will last longer and work better.
- After using, clean tools with a brush or cloth to remove dirt and water.
- Light oil should be used on metal parts to prevent rust.
- Place tools in a dry location out of the rain or wet soil.
- Wipe wooden handles down with linseed oil every now and then to prevent the wood from drying out or splitting.
Proper maintenance keeps tools sharp, sturdy and ready to use.
Why These Tools Matter
The right tools make every garden and landscaping task easier. Specialty tools exist for just about every type of job from trimming, planting and digging to edging. By using them, things go faster, results are vastly improved and less work is required. Landscapers and gardeners are better able to care for their crops and will enjoy their work more with the right tools.
Final Thoughts
Specialty hand tools are for all the planting needs. An important part of any garden and landscaping project is using the right tools. Whether pulling weeds or shaping hedges or planting bulbs, there’s a reason for every tool. Good quality tools, regular maintenance and tender loving care create the garden everyone wants for year-round use, not just the professionals.