The tried-and-true tools I rely on season after season.
The right tool can make every gardening job easier, faster, and safer. These are the tried-and-true tools I rely on season after season—chosen for their performance, durability, and ergonomic design to help reduce strain, prevent injury, and make gardening more enjoyable for years to come.
If I could own only one pair of hand pruners, it would be Felcos. Precision-made in Switzerland, they're built to last a lifetime. Replace the blade every few years instead of replacing the pruner, and you'll always have clean, effortless cuts. Their ergonomic design reduces hand fatigue, making them my go-to pruner season after season.
One of two Felcos I carry at all times. The rotating handle reduces strain on my arthritic fingers, and the smaller blade is ideal for most pruning tasks in the garden. (For larger woody stems and tree branches, I switch to the #13.)
Left-handed? The Felco #10 is the left-handed version of the #7.
The longer handles provide extra leverage, making this my choice for woody shrubs and small tree branches. It can be used with two hands for additional power, although I usually reach for loppers on heavier cuts.
The perfect choice for smaller hands, light pruning, and floral work.
Felco offers many models, but I recommend handles with a more curved shape, like the #7. The curved design provides better leverage and more cutting power with less effort.
As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate tools that work harder so I don't have to. This is one of them. It's my go-to tool for weeding, digging, transplanting, and cutting through the roots of pot-bound plants—all without constantly getting up and down. The sturdy wooden handle is designed to give you the leverage and control needed for almost every job in the perennial garden.
Don't let the size fool you—this little saw is a real workhorse. I use it for branches up to 2 inches in diameter, and if I need anything larger, I call my tree surgeon. It's lightweight, easy to handle, and much less tiring than hand sawing. Just remember, it's still a chainsaw, so use it with care.
See these tools in action and learn techniques that make gardening easier in a Living Garden Workshop.
