If you’re relatively new to gardening, you might be unaware of the extensive range of garden tools and gadgets out there. Most of us know the basic planting tools, such as rakes and pruners, but fewer people consider things like plant supports and labels.
Doing some research to find the most useful and practical gardening tools will make your life much easier. It will also ensure that your garden looks great, is organized, and stays safe from pests.
Below, we have covered some of the commonly forgotten garden essentials that you should consider purchasing.
Mulch
Mulching refers to a common gardening practice that aims to maintain optimal moisture and temperature levels in the soil. It’s also helping to reduce the growth of weeds and maintain your plants in the healthiest condition.
You can purchase organic mulch from any gardening store or use natural materials like straw, leaves, or wood.
Plant Supports
Taller plants can droop or wilt if they’re not properly supported. Sturdy plant supports enable taller plants that grow upwards, such as pea and tomato plants, and vines, to grow to their full potential without breaking under their own weight.
Plant supports may include towers, cages, racks, and stakes. They ensure that your plants remain stable, even in wide weather, and will maximize the plant growth in your garden.
Soil pH Testing Kit
The pH of soil impacts the nutrient availability and resulting growth of your plants. For this reason, it’s essential to maintain the most optimal pH level in your soil at all times if you want your garden to bloom.
You can purchase a soil pH kit from any gardening store, and it will be relatively inexpensive.
Although it might seem like a non-essential gardening tool, it performs an important job that you can’t ignore! The wrong pH can damage plants, cause soil erosion, and disrupt the natural growth of your garden across the seasons.
Plant Labels
Plant labels may seem insignificant, but they’re one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your garden organized. If you have a wide range of different plants in your garden, things can quickly get confusing, and you might forget which plant is where.
These discrete labels enable you to identify the species, history, and unique needs of each plant in your garden. You can always ensure you have as much knowledge as possible about your garden to make your gardening tasks more enjoyable. There are several different kinds of labels, some of which are simpler than others. For example, you can buy basic plastic labels and write on them with a permanent marker, choose more sustainable bamboo-based labels, or go high-tech and get digital plant labels that offer a higher level of versatility and functionality.