Small Hand Tools

Trowels

The Garden Trowel is invaluable for planting small plants, bulbs etc., and is the all-around workhorse for down-on-your-knees gardening.

Stainless steel is an advantage but before paying extra for one, bear in mind that it is easy to mislay small hand tools.

The prime importance when buying a trowel is that it is comfortable and easy to use. Longer handled ones can be useful if you have trouble getting down to the ground, are elderly or disabled.

They come in three basic types:

General Trowel - usually has a broader blade and is for general use.

Transplanting Trowel - has a slightly narrower blade, usually about 1 5/8" by 6", and gets into confined spaces.

Weeding trowel - usually has a blade width of only about 1 inch and is for weeding in cracks or placing bulbs between pavers.

Handforks

Some gardeners find this a useful tool ( I must admit, I haven't. ) For loosening soil and weeding in amongst flower beds. Stainless steel is an option but they are more expensive. Again keep in mind that they can be easily lost. Comfort in use is the main consideration when purchasing.

Hand Cultivators

The same goes for these as for Handforks, some love 'em, some can do without. A new version of the cultivator is the garden Claw (it also comes as a fullsize tool)

Bulb Planters

These work by lifting a plug of soil, so enabling you to put a bulb in the hole and then drop the plug of soil back in the hole. These are useful but only in soils that hold together well, if you have light sandy soil they are practically useless. I have found that they are only useful for smaller bulbs that need to be planted only 3 - 4 inches deep. Bigger bulbs such as Daffodils that need to be planted anything up to 8 inches deep are better done with a spade or trowel.