Despite, the six months of rain we've had (at least that's what it feels like), it is in fact now Spring, which means it's time to get into our outdoor spaces and prepare them for the warm months ahead and the eventual harvest! A well-tended garden during Spring sets the foundation for a season of abundant growth, colourful displays, and bountiful harvests.

Just as in any endeavour, I find having the best tools makes all the difference. Not just for doing the Spring gardening quickly, but also to a higher standard. After all, why make more work for ourselves by using the wrong or defunct kit?

To make your spring gardening easier, I've curated 10 of my favourite tools and other essentials that I simply couldn’t be without this season! There are many specialist tools, but for this list, I have chosen the ones I find myself using again and again each time Spring rolls around.

1. Paper Potter Press

I used to hate seeing dozens and dozens of cheap plastic pots cluttering up my potting shed. That was until I came across this paper potter press. A much more environmentally friendly, and easier to source, way of housing your newly sown seeds.

By simply wrapping strips of old newspaper around the press, you can create as many new, 100% biodegradable seedling pots as you need. The best part is you will have much more storage space to spare without little pots laying here there and everywhere!

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2. Root and Transplanting Tool

Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society, the serrated edge is properly sharp and the blade is well finished and fit for the purpose of lifting planters out of pots. The serrated edge can cut through roots if necessary when transplanting your plant.

I've found that, as an added bonus, the transplanter is great for creating holes in pots - plunge the blade through the bottom of your pot and pull out as the serrated edges create a hole et voila.

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3. Japanese Razor Hoe

A long-time favourite of mine, I honestly can't remember how I survived without it. The razor hoe is as versatile as it is practical. In my opinion it is an absolute must-have. It can cut into soil, weed, hoe and dig holes for planting.

Dispense with forks, trowels and hoes, this does the same job as all three but with little effort. The pointed blade easily slices into soil, and the carbon blade will stay sharp for years of use.

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4. Leather Knee Pads 

 

With each passing year these seem to climb higher up my list of essentials! With so much hard work done close to the ground, having protected knees makes a great difference to both comfort and stamina (although naturally we must remember to make ample time for tea breaks).

With care, these leather knee pads should last you a lifetime of garden use, a brilliant investment you will only be more pleased you made over time - trust me.

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5. Container Weeding Hoe

 

As our plants grow, so do nearby weeds. Whilst some gardeners favour a more wild aesthetic and do not mind weeds; for me, they can take nutrients and water away from the plants I wish to do well. This problem is so much more pronounced in containers, as plants grow in close quarters with each other

This also makes the weeds harder to remove. I've found that this specialist weeding hoe makes the finicky job much easier. it can manoeuvre around plants to cut through surface moss and weeds under the surface.

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6. Seedling Pricker 

Separating fragile seedlings is vital for giving them both the best possible chance for success. It's so frustrating when a careful tended seedling suffers when it is moved to its own pot. The spoon of this pricker from Dutch manufacturer Sneeboer is small and thin enough that seedlings can be loosened from the soil precisely and without harming them.

The sharp point then makes quick work of creating a planting hole which can be widened as necessary with the spoon all ready for transplanting.

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7. Manilla Seed Saving Envelopes 

 

When I try out a new variety and it grows even more splendidly than I expected, I like to save some of the seeds to share with friends. These seed-saving envelopes are perfect for the job as they are clear to understand and spacious enough for larger varieties like plum tree seeds.

They are also useful for storing seeds for yourself. Rather than risking a spill from a torn packet of seeds, you can have your own safe seed bank with notes to help you next season. I like to then organise them in my galvanised seed organiser tin, so I'm all ready for next year.

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8. Olla Terracotta Irrigation Pot 

Up to 10 times more effective than using a watering can, drip irrigation is a centuries-old method of delivering water to thirsty plants by providing a constant supply to their roots. By reducing the amount of water lost to evaporation, plants will be kept satisfied during the intense growing season.

Although recently our plants haven't need any help on the water front, I've decided to install mine now so that my plants can grow around it without being disturbed later. To stop them getting too much water, I plan to leave the bung in until the weather gets a bit brighter.

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 9. Copper Tape 

Slugs beware! One of the gardener’s biggest enemies, slugs will happily munch through all of our prized plants that are unlucky enough to fall in their slimy path. Fortunately for us, they are repelled by copper. They hate the feel of it, making copper tape a handy barrier. Simply wrapping the tape around your plant pot should be enough to keep this particular pest away.

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10. Garden Line 

Sowing or planting in a straight line is vital for ensuring we are not left with a random or gappy plot. For perfect straight planting lines I always use one of these. The long spike keeps it firmly bedded, even in the lightest of soils. Two decorative cast iron stakes hold 25 metres of natural jute. Plus, they are so much more stylish and practical than a broken bit of bamboo...

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Whilst these are the essentials I narrowed down for this list, there is so much more I could have recommended. More Spring must-haves can be found in our sowing & planting collection.

If you liked this list, please take a look at my Autumn Essentials & Winter Essentials posts for more recommendations, and watch this space for the Summer Essentials...