For some, the oncoming summer season means they will need the best gas mower (opens in new tab) money can buy to tackle their yard. Others might be looking for a simple soil tiller (opens in new tab) to help prepare their ground to grow vegetables. Alternatively, gardeners anticipating the brighter months could be looking for a unique, quirky solution to an uncommon problem. We have you covered for all of these and more. Getting out into the garden is one of the best things you can do this summer, as recent research showed that gardening relieves stress (opens in new tab) to a surprisingly high level. In 2021, as COVID-19 begins to recede, anything that can help relieve stress is more than welcome. So, let’s grab some of these must-have gardening tools and get out there…
1. Craftsman M105 Lawn Mower
In terms of reliable, lightweight mowers that trim medium lawns, this one fits the bill nicely. As we write in our Craftsman M105 review (opens in new tab), it has a 21-inch blade and six-height adjustable deck, providing a clean and precise cut. Ultimately, the main draw of the M105 is how light it is. The M105 weighs in at a scant 65lbs. When compared to offerings from Cub Cadet and Honda (which sit at 79lbs and 89lbs respectively), those extra few pounds make it even more maneuverable. This reliable and agile mower is covered by a two-year warranty, so it should keep your lawns tidy for many summers to come.
View the Craftsman M105, $249 at Lowe’s (opens in new tab)
2. RYOBI RY40204A Weed Eater
In our RYOBI RY40204A Weed Eater review (opens in new tab) we explain how this battery powered tool lasts far longer than most of its competitors. As such, it is well suited for the long gardening sessions of late spring through summer. The lengthy battery life also means it’s well-suited to larger gardens, or for taking multiple passes of smaller yet trickier green spaces. Obviously, weeds are huge problems for many gardens in the sunnier months, making this is real must-have gardening tool for this time of year. The RYOBI RY40204A will set you back $110, but it will save you many hours in manual weeding. For more guidance on dealing with pesky weeds, read our guide to the best electric weed eaters (opens in new tab).
View the RYOBI RY40204A, $64.97 at Home Depot (opens in new tab)
3. MEIWO Vertical Wall Planter
Vertical planting is a newer craze within the gardening world. As a trend, it rose in popularity in recent years due to the growing number of people with smaller or non-existent gardens. A vertical planter lets the prospective green fingered gardener set up a small pocket of arcadia wherever they may be. As a gardening tool, it could also be used as a handy vertical storage solution for various tools, or its intended use as a planter. While it does allow for a small garden to be created anywhere, the MEIWO vertical planter also adds height to larger gardens too.
4. TomCare Garden Kneeler Seat
With summer upon us, gardening will likely take up a lot more of your time. Unfortunately, this also tends to mean more pressure on the knees of keen gardeners. While gardening has many fulfilling qualities, it does involve a lot of bending down and crouching. To take a bit of pressure off of your knees, a garden kneeler is a comfy, handy tool that could spare you discomfort at the end of a long gardening session. TomCare’s offering is particularly well-rated. Alongside this high regard, the TomCare Garden Kneeler comes with four pouches to store tools, and can be adjusted to be either a kneeler or a garden bench seat.
5. Pine Tree Tools Bamboo Garden Gloves
Any gardener needs a good set of gloves. And while this might not seem like a revolutionary, must-have gardening tool, most people have a pair of gardening gloves that really need replacing. If that’s you, these Bamboo Working Gloves from Pine Tree Tools are worth a look. With over 11,000 global ratings online, 90% of which are positive, Pine Tree Tools’ pedigree is undeniable. These durable gloves are made with a breathable bamboo material, making them super-lightweight and unlikely to irritate your skin. Unlike other gardening gloves, you can also use a smartphone while wearing them, so you can stay connected (if you want to) while working outdoors.
View the Pine Tree Tools Gloves, $9.99 at Walmart (opens in new tab)
6. Husqvarna Automower 315X
Automated mowers are as high-tech as must-have gardening tools and gadgets get. This spring marks the 22nd anniversary of the Star Trek villains The Borg - and thankfully this mower’s treatment of natural environments is much more positive. While it may be on the more expensive side of the best robot mowers (opens in new tab), the Husqvarna Automower 315X is worth the price. After all, it comes from the Swedish company that invented the first ever robotic mower. As such, it does command a hefty price tag. However, with Husqvarna you’re paying for quality and an extensive feature list. This includes GPS tracking, LED lights, full app control, and an incredibly quiet motor when in use. So you don’t have to worry about this lawn bot waking up the neighbours on a Sunday morning.
7. Craftsman C410 Gas Tiller
This popular tiller arrives mostly assembled, and without the need to mix different fuel sources thanks to its four-cycle engine. The Craftsman C410 Gas Tiller (opens in new tab) is quick to start, and allows for a great deal of path control when breaking up hardened dirt. Much like the mower featured above, it also comes with a two-year warranty, so you’ll be covered for a few seasons yet. If you’re looking to maintain existing flower beds and vegetable patches, or set up new ones this summer, the Craftsman C410 is definitely an attractive gardening gadget. Craftsman’s build quality should ensure the tiller lasts for several summers to come.
View the Craftsman C410, $279 at Lowes (opens in new tab)
8. Husqvarna 125B Handheld Blower
And for good reason too, as this 9.4lb, 125B blower rocks a cordless design that gives gardeners free reign over any leaf-heavy areas of their property. More than anything else, the lack of cord makes this blower perfect for clearing debris-packed rooftops and gutters too. It’s an environmentally conscious design too, with a 75% harmful exhaust emission reduction in that Husqvarna X-TORQ engine.
9. Black & Decker LE750 Lawn Edger
Lawn edgers are handy little gadgets for neatening up the sides of any garden. As with many of the featured products on this list, the Black and Decker LE750 prioritizes a light build and function over anything else. If you have read our Black & Decker LE750 Lawn Edger review, (opens in new tab) you’ll know this inclusive tool has an adjustable handle for both left and right handed users. Ensuring a clean cut is the auxiliary handle (which helps guide the product) and three different wheels. All of these features, when combined with a compact size and a 12.4lbs weight, make for an incredibly functional and maneuverable edger. Neat and tidy edging, here we come. For more options, check out our guide to the best lawn edgers (opens in new tab).
10. Sun Joe SDJ616 Electric Mulcher Shredder
Sun Joe specializes in the creation of cheap, accessible home and garden care products. Sun Joe is the company’s branch of products that deal with gardening in the sunny months. Many mowers, like the Craftsman 105 mentioned above, have features that promote mulching, but are not as effective as a dedicated mulcher. The Sun Joe SDJ616 can turn the inevitable spring-summer mountain of grass clippings into something useful. Sun Joe’s mulcher can process up to 55 gallons of leaves per minute, and only weighs 13.4lbs. For more information on mulching and its benefits, read our guide to what is mulching (opens in new tab).
View the Sun Joe SDJ616, $123.15 at Home Depot (opens in new tab)
Looking for more gardening content? Try our guides to the best electric lawn mowers (opens in new tab), or for really big yards, our roundup of the best riding lawn mowers (opens in new tab).
