Powell Gardens’ Go-To Gardening Tools

Whether you’re tending a sprawling landscape or a few containers on the patio, the right tool can make all the difference. In this blog post, three members of the Powell Gardens horticulture team share the garden tools they reach for time and time again and why they think every gardener should have them on hand. 

From high-tech soil testers to an unexpected kitchen utensil, these favorites might inspire you to try something new in your own garden. 

Matt’s Pick: Moisture Meter 

One of Matt’s most trusted tools isn’t a shovel or pruner, it’s a moisture meter. 

A moisture meter measures the amount of moisture in the soil, helping gardeners determine when plants actually need water. Many models also include a pH setting, which measures soil acidity. Soil pH plays an important role in how easily plants can absorb nutrients, making it another valuable piece of information for gardeners. 

For Matt, moisture meters are especially important when caring for newly planted trees. 

“I’ve been at Powell Gardens long enough to see some of the trees I helped plant grow and spread their branches,” he says. “The most important part of their survival and growth was proper watering.” 

At Powell Gardens, newly planted trees (like many found along the Dogwood and Magnolia Walks) are monitored regularly during their first few years. Rather than relying on guesswork, the horticulture team uses moisture meters to make informed watering decisions. 

When planting a new tree, water it thoroughly after planting, then check the soil every week using a moisture meter. When the reading begins to move from moist toward dry, it’s time for another deep watering. 

Keep in mind that every planting site is different. Wind exposure, shade, afternoon sun, and soil type all affect how quickly soil dries out, so checking regularly is more important than watering on a fixed schedule. 

Matt’s Other Favorite: A Magnifying Glass 

A magnifying glass may not seem like a traditional gardening tool, but Matt says it’s one every curious gardener should own. 

With a magnifying glass, tiny garden inhabitants suddenly become visible. It can help identify pests such as spider mites, thrips, fungus gnat larvae, and whitefly nymphs. Many of these pests only measure 1–2 millimeters long! If your plants have discolored, distorted, or weak new growth without an obvious cause, taking a closer look may reveal these tiny culprits. 

The magnifying glass also lets gardeners discover the beneficial creatures living beneath the soil surface. “You can see useful organisms in your garden soil like springtails, which help break down dead plant material, and beneficial nematodes that prey on pests like fungus gnat larvae and grubs,” Matt explains. 

Sometimes the smallest discoveries are the most fascinating. 

Heather’s Pick: The Grapefruit Knife 

Heather’s favorite gardening tool didn’t come from a garden center. It came straight from the kitchen. 

A sturdy stainless steel grapefruit knife has become one of her favorite tools for precision weeding. Its narrow, angled tip easily slips between bricks and pavers to remove weeds, roots and all. For larger, established weeds, the serrated edge helps fray stems and roots, making them less likely to regrow. 

Heather also uses it around Powell Gardens’ iris collection, where traditional weeding tools can accidentally damage shallow roots or thick rhizomes. “In this way, the grapefruit knife acts as a tiny, precise hand-held hoe,” she says. 

Before purchasing the latest gardening gadget, Heather encourages gardeners to look around the house. You may already own the tool you need.  

Dustin’s Pick: The Hori Hori 

If Dustin could carry only one gardening tool, it would be the Hori Hori. 

Often called a “dirt knife,” the Hori Hori combines the functions of several garden tools into one versatile design. Its sharp, narrow blade is ideal for digging planting holes, slicing through compacted soil, removing deep-rooted weeds, and transplanting seedlings with precision. 

The tool is equally useful for dividing perennials, harvesting root vegetables, and even measuring planting depth with the measurement markings often etched onto the blade. For gardeners looking to simplify their toolkit, Dustin says this is the one tool to own. 

“I love new tools and gadgets for the garden,” Dustin says. “Believe me when I say I have bought and tried many over the years. The tool I always have on my hip every day is the Hori Hori.” 

Every Gardener Has a Favorite 

The best gardening tools aren’t always the newest or most expensive. Sometimes they’re specialized instruments that remove the guesswork from plant care. Other times, they’re everyday household items that find a second life in the garden. 

Whether you’re monitoring soil moisture, investigating tiny insects, carefully weeding around treasured perennials, or tackling nearly every gardening task with a Hori Hori, the right tool can make gardening easier and and even more enjoyable. 

What tool could you not garden without?