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A first step for beginner gardeners is searching for the most recommended tools that can get the job done. Brian Brigantti—aka @RedleafRanch on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok—still considers himself a “beginner” in some ways, despite amassing an audience of millions on his social media platforms. He’s also the author of Gardening for Abundance, now available on Amazon. Over time, he’s cultivated an arsenal of go-to tools for his garden, and he’s sharing his top five favorites with us for our ‘One Cool Tool’ series. ‘One Cool Tool’ highlights the tools the most avid DIYers just like Brian really use for their own projects.
RELATED: Visit our Gardening for Beginners guide
Ferry-Morse Hori Hori
Ferry-Morse was kind enough to send me a care package with a few of their tools and the Hori Hori stood out to me immediately. The first thing I noticed was how sturdy it was. It’s incredible quality and I love the slender design of it. It’s the perfect size for digging holes for tender seedlings and seeds. The engraved ruler on the blade is so helpful when figuring out the specific depth for certain plants. Overall, one of my all-time favorite tools in the garden!
Ferry-Morse 5-in-1 Weeder
Another standout tool gifted to me from Ferry-Morse. I was immediately captivated by the high quality feel, from the dense metal blade to the comfortable grip of the handle. This is such a perfect tool for tackling the wide variety of unwanted plants in the garden. Each modification on the blade is designed for the perfect dig, grip, and pluck needed to get stubborn roots out. It doubles as an amazing narrow spade for seeds and small bulbs as well. Talk about the ultimate versatile tool!
Ferry-Morse Razor Hoe
The first thing I noticed is how heavy the blade on this hoe was. It has such a comfortable grip on the hand, perfect for getting all the control you need to prepare the soil, weed, or harvest tender greens. The sharp edge glides seamlessly across soil to create an ideal space for seeds or deeper trenches for potatoes or garlic. Short-rooted weeds don’t stand a chance against its dense blade slicing it from the soil. And best of all, it makes harvesting leafy greens so easy, with a fine edge that cuts through the stems with very little to no resistance! A full-on triple threat.
Ferry-Morse Cultivator
The unique design of this cultivator immediately caught my eye. The asymmetrical positioning of the teeth allows for more widespread contact with the soil, allowing for a quicker pass through the soil to get it ready for your planting or seeding needs. The length of the teeth are also the perfect size for breaking up the soil evenly and at just the right depth. Plus, the denseness of it makes it suitable for tackling more stubborn, deeply rooted weeds or blankets of crawlers. The firm grip gives you all the comfort you need to tackle a variety of tasks in the garden. A really neat and long lasting tool.
Ferry-Morse Trowel
I can’t get to work in the gardens without my handy dandy trowel and the one from Ferry-Morse gives me the perfect scoop every time. The quality of the blade is sure to last you many growing seasons. Something I really appreciate is the marked measurements on the scoop, ideal for letting you know how deep you’re digging into the soil. Certain plants and seeds have a specific depth they need to be planted, so having this tool to help you along the way is extremely helpful!
Editor’s Note: The Ferry-Morse Trowel is currently not for sale, but our product reviewer ranked the best garden trowels; we currently recommend the Edward Tools Garden Trowel in Heavy Duty Carbon Steel.
You can read more about Brian and his garden in our interview. Want gardening tips for beginners? Check out his top five pieces of advice.
One Cool Tool
‘One Cool Tool’ is a multimedia series covering the coolest tools fan-favorite social media-famous DIYers don’t just recommend, but actually rely on for their own projects.
