A trowel is essential for gardening. For large plantings, you need a spade, or large shovel; for weeding, you need other tools. But to make a garden, you need a trowel. It’s a sturdy tool, and if you’re planting pansies (as everyone does in the winter), it will dig a perfectly-sized hole—one that is not too big, and just right for small plants. You’ll also need to use your trowel when you’re planting your planters, or when you’re putting a variety of colorful annuals in your border gardens.

The Garden Plus Trowel from Lowe’s is only $2.98. It’s all you need! I prefer the basic version that comes with a wooden handle.