Professional gardening tools to help your business thrive

A gardener is only as good as his tools, so it’s important to consider the professional gardening tools that you need for your business.

To get you started, we’ll talk you through popular tools and equipment for gardening, how to choose them and tips for looking after them.

The importance of quality professional gardening tools

As a professional gardener, you need the right tools to allow you to do your job efficiently and to a high standard.

That’s why it’s so important to invest in the best quality professional gardening tools that you can afford.

Using high-quality tools and equipment for gardening can…

• Improve the efficiency and quality of your work
• Help you secure repeat and referral business
• Reduce your downtime and replacement costs
• Enhance your professional image when you arrive at jobs

Top tip… If you can’t afford to buy expensive tools outright, you could explore financing options or buy second-hand tools from reputable sellers.

As a Checkatrade member, you could also get fantastic deals on your gardening tools. Not yet a member? Why not sign up today?

Essential tools and equipment for gardening

There’s a whole range of gardening tools out there and it’s important to understand which tools you might need.

To get you started, we’ve created lists for different types of professional gardening tools…

Basic must-have gardening tools

Here are the key tools that every professional gardener should have in their toolbox:

• Trowel
• Pruning shears (secateurs)
• Garden fork
• Spade
• Rake
• Hoe
• Watering can
• Garden gloves
• Garden kneeler
• Wheelbarrow
• A gardening belt for tools

This set of tools is a great place to start, and you can expand your tool collection as you go.

Professional gardening hand tools

Certain hand tools are very useful to have when offering professional gardening services:

• Hand trowel
• Hand fork
• Loppers
• Hand weeder
• Garden knife
• Pruning saw
• Dibber (for planting seeds or bulbs)
• Soil scoop
• Bulb planter

With these professional gardening hand tools, you’ll be set to take on small-scale gardening jobs.

Power tools

Investing in a selection of gardening power tools can save you time and massively reduce your efforts on bigger gardening jobs:

• Lawnmower
• Hedge trimmer
• Leaf blower
• Chainsaw
• Rotavator / cultivator
• Strimmer
• Garden shredder
• Pressure washer
• Electric pruner
• Cordless drill

You might not need all of these to start with. See which types of gardening jobs you get booked for and buy power tools as and when you need them.

Shovel gardening tools

You may think a shovel is a single tool. However, there are numerous shovel gardening tools that can come in handy for professional gardening:

• Digging spade
• Digging shovel
• Trenching shovel
• Square-point shovel
• Drain space
• Post hole digger
• Scoop shovel (for moving mulch or gravel)
• Snow shovel (for clearing garden paths in winter)

You may find that you need some of these shovel tools to help with specific gardening jobs as you grow your business.

Industrial gardening tools

If you’re planning on working on large commercial gardening projects, you may need industrial gardening tools for your work:

• Heavy-duty lawn mower
• Tractor with attachments
• Backhoe
• Rotary tiller
• Industrial wood chipper
• Excavator
• Commercial pressure washer
• Stump grinder
• Concrete mixer (for garden paths or retaining walls)

In general, industrial tools tend to be more expensive than standard gardening tools so make sure you only buy tools you need.

Specialist gardening tools

For very specific gardening jobs, here are some specialist tools that can help you expand your service offerings:

• Soil pH tester
• Grafting knife
• Soil thermometer
• Moisture meter
• Topiary shears
• Garden auger (for planting bulbs or aerating soil)
• Fruit picker
• Bonsai tools (scissors, concave cutters)
• Aerator shoes (or manual lawn aerator)
• Tree staking kit

These are the types of tools that you might need as you develop your gardening business and start specialising in certain services.

Gardening trimming tools

If you find that you’re getting a lot of trimming jobs, you might want to invest in a range of gardening trimming tools:

• Pruning shears (secateurs)
• Loppers
• Hedge trimmers (manual and powered)
• Pruning saw
• Grass shears
• Topiary shears
• Pole pruner
• Electric pruner
• Tree pruning ladders
• Brush cutter (for heavy-duty trimming)

These tools are essential for maintaining plants, shrubs, trees, and hedges, keeping your garden looking tidy and healthy.

Choosing the right gardening tools for your business

There are several factors that you should consider when deciding which professional gardening tools you’re going to buy:

• Cost vs value – Good quality tools might be more expensive but they’ll last longer, giving great long-term value
• Reliable brands – Choose wisely, as your tools are an investment
• Ergonomics and comfort – They need to prevent fatigue and minimise strain
• Weight and balance – This can impact how efficiently you work
• Sustainability – Eco-friendly tools, such as recycled and maintained

And don’t forget to insure your gardening tools for peace of mind. Find out all about tools insurance in our dedicated guide below:

Why use copper gardening tools?

Copper gardening tools have become popular with gardeners in the UK for several reasons, including:

• They’re naturally antimicrobial – Using copper tools can help reduce the spread of diseases in the garden by protecting plants from harmful pathogens
• Copper doesn’t rust – This means your tools will stay in good condition over time with minimal maintenance
• Environmentally-friendly – Copper tools are more eco-friendly as they don’t release harmful metals into the soil, unlike other metal tools
• Improve soil quality – Some gardeners believe that trace amounts of copper left in the soil from the tools can be beneficial, as copper is an essential micronutrient for plants
• Their distinctive look – Copper tools have a look that many gardeners prefer to standard metal gardening tools

Overall, copper gardening tools are a practical, durable and environmentally friendly option that you might want to consider.

Maintenance tips for professional gardening tools

Once you’ve invested in quality tools and equipment for your gardening business, you need to look after them.

Here are some of our top tips for keeping your professional gardening tools in tip-top condition:

• Always clean your tools after each use to remove dirt, sap, and plant residue and prevent rust and bacteria build-up
• Disinfect tools after working with any diseased plants to avoid spreading pathogens
• Sharpen blades regularly to keep them cutting cleanly and efficiently
• Oil any metal parts to prevent rust – especially any tools exposed to moisture
• Store all your tools properly away from exposure to the elements
• Keep an eye out for any damage that might need repairing or replacing
• Use tools for the jobs they’re designed for to prevent unnecessary wear and tear

By taking time to look after your tools, you’ll keep them working efficiently and extend their lifespan – saving you money.

Grow your gardening business with Checkatrade

As well as having the right gardening tools for the job, a Checkatrade membership can help you boost your gardening business.

With our digital marketing strategy and strong online presence, becoming a Checkatrade member makes it easier for customers to find you.

You’ll get a business profile on the UK’s leading trade directory, as well as an online listing on Google – something that can take months to achieve otherwise.

Get more leads

In 2024 alone, there were over 869,000 job searches for gardening work on the Checkatrade website*.

That means there’s a huge amount of interest in professional gardening services like yours.

Help to secure more work

Checkatrade has been around for over 25 years, so homeowners looking for tradespeople often recognise our brand.

We have the tick that homeowners trust, which can help you win more business.

Save money

As a Checkatrade member, you’ll get exclusive access to our partners.

That includes exclusive offers and discounts to help you save money on professional gardening tools and other business essentials.

You’ll find great savings on workwear, tools, equipment, insurance, van leasing, fuel, and more.

• Selco
• Wickes
• Tradepoint
• Superscript

Already a Checkatrade member? Log in to our members’ app now to see what offers are currently available!

Getting to grips with a Checkatrade membership

As a Checkatrade member, you and your business can benefit from features such as:

• Display customer reviews, testimonials, and examples of your work on your profile page
• Control your flow of leads by marking your availability in the Checkatrade app
• Manage customer enquiries on-the-go, directly from the app – keeping everything in one handy place

With the Checkatrade tick by your name, it makes your marketing just that little bit easier.

We’ll also help you with access to branded marketing materials and exclusive discounts on business essentials.

_{* Internal search data from users of the Checkatrade.com website in 2024}