The Garden Shelf
My favorite tools and accessories to make your family garden come to life
Below is a curated list of my tried-and-true gardening tools and supplies. These are the items I use and love in my own garden. Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you). Your support helps me continue creating free gardening resources for families who want to grow together.
To Begin Well
Garden Essential Tools- Stainless Steel tools in one bundle. This is a great place to start!
Plant Tags- Because it’s way too easy to forget what you planted where
Garden Sheers- My favorite trio. They will cover everything from thinning delicate seedlings to trimming woody branches.
Water Wand- Delivers an even, gentle soak right where your plants need it most. Essential during the early phases of planting.
Standing Mister-This is a game changer if you have to do some gardening on a hot day, and it came move around the garden with you!
Garden Stakes- There are many uses for these, one being to put in the corner of your beds to drape the netting over
Garden Gloves- My favorite gloves. The velcro wrist is a plus. I wear size Medium (Tip: Get two- one for handling soil and compost, and one for harvesting fresh produce)
To Stay Comfortable
Garden Bench and Kneeler- If you have to stand or kneel to garden, this will save your back and knees!
To Nourish Your Soil
Worm Castings- I mix this into my compost/soil every time I’m planting. It’s plant SUPERFOOD and natural.
Natural Fertilizer- I like adding a handful of this to transplant holes before putting in the plant for an extra growth boost.
Bougainvillea- My bougainvillea started thriving when I began giving them a monthly dose of this
Soil Scoop-Great for filling and topping off containers and beds
To Protect From Pests
Garden Netting- If you have a larger garden, you can cut this into pieces and net each of your beds
Neem Oil- A gentle, plant-based oil that naturally protects your garden from pests while keeping your plants healthy and thriving.
Solar Spot Lights- An affordable alternative to running electricity. We use these all over the property to highlight our trees and cacti.
String Lights- We love the looks of our string lights and they’ve been holding up well to the weather. They also offer several lengths.
Planters- I’m obsessed with these. We have 2 sets (6 total pots) displayed near our front door and garden shed.
Pop-Up Seedling Protectors- If you’ve ever lost seedings to birds or bugs, you’ll understand the absolute value of these. Plus they store really easily!
To Make it Climb
Plant Clips- My absolute favorite trellis hack! And they stick to almost anything.
Black Jute- If you have a black trellis, but your plants need extra support-this blends right in. I zig-zag it up my trellis and tie off.
Soft Twist Tie- I love that this holds sturdy but has a soft coating so as not to damage the plant. I use these on anything from tomatoes to bougainvilla