1. Spade. If you're not familiar with gardening tools at all, then the term spade probably makes no sense. A spade is a square headed shovel with short handles. They're great for digging holes, edging beds, and helping to remove unwanted soil. Depending on what type of spade you get will depend on how much you pay for it. You don't need to spend a fortune, but don't go with the cheapest one in the store. Look for one with a steel head with a strong wood or fiberglass handle. If you buy a good spade it should last you the rest of your gardening life.


2. Bypass Pruners. Every gardener is looking to clean up around the yard; deadheading, shaping, and probably removing some foliage now and then. Bypass pruners are a perfect tool for these small or large jobs. These can run you a fair bit of money so don't expect to be spending less than $50. Look for pruners that will come apart easily for cleaning and sharpening purposes, as well as ones that fit the size of your hands.


3. A hoe. There are standard garden hoes you can buy at just about any type of "home" store and even places like Wal mart, and there are other "action" type hoes that are designed to get into tight spaces. Take a good look at your garden to determine what kind of hoe you will need for your garden. Do you have tight corners you need to get into or is it open? If you're growing vegetables a standard hoe will usually do the job; perennial gardens however sometimes need a more delicate touch and may require a smaller one.


4. A hand trowel. This is definitely a necessity for the avid gardener. It is perfect for planting small flowers, herbs, and vegetables, as well as digging weeds out and mixing potting soil. Look for a trowel that is one piece and forged in stainless steel. A rubber grip also makes it more comfortable to hold.


5. Loppers. If you have trees or any kind of shrub in your yard then these will come in extremely handy. Loppers are great tools for trimming and removing branches anywhere up to two inches in diameter, as well as pruning things like rose bushes. The blades need to be sharp for them to work properly and if you want them to last make sure you clean them thoroughly.


6. A rake. Especially during the fall season when the leaves are falling off the trees, a rake is yet another one of the basic tools to have sitting in the garage or out in the shed. It's also good for cleaning out beds in the spring. They are fairly inexpensive; can be found in plastic, bamboo, and steel.

Of course each gardening tool has a purpose and it's important to learn what each tool is used for in order to maximize it's usefulness. These are just a few of the basic garden tools everyone should have to get some good yard and gardening work done.