5 tools every gardener needs this spring

Much of the nation shares this sentiment: Enough already, winter. Bring on spring.

But while many have visions of a bountiful veggie garden and brilliant beds of flowers, in many areas it’s a bit too soon to be sinking those tomato plants or perennials into the soil.

That doesn’t mean you can’t play a bit, and come up with a plan. And there are certainly things you can do now so that come April or May, you’ll be ready to plant.

If you’re ready to get out there on a warm day, here are the tasks to tackle, along with the tools to help you accomplish them:

Roll in the good stuff:

Whether it’s hauling bags of fertilizer or the dark earthy treasure from your compost tumbler, a wheelbarrow will save your back. Look for a small, sturdy model that can fit through tight spaces if you have a yard filled with trees and hedges. Blue Hawk Four Cubic Foot Steel Wheelbarrow, $39.98 (plus Cash Back), Lowes.com 

Protect those mitts:

Depending on the job, and your own preference, you may want more than one pair of gloves – one for more detailed work, like dead-heading roses, another to keep blisters away when you’re swinging a hoe or cutting back a hedge. For now, find a pair that will work for general lawn and garden maintenance. Work Glove, $24, westcountrygardener.com

Air it out:

Compact soil needs to be aerated and turned. Look for a spading fork with sharp tines to make the work go more quickly. 4-Tine Forged Spading Fork, $24.97, homedepot.com

Turn it over:

If your veggie garden is huge and clogged with weeds, renting a rototiller might be wise. But if it’s relative small, and those weeds just need a bit of shaking up, get out there and swing a hoe. Look for one that’s sturdy enough to last a lifetime, and designed to be kind to your back. Gardener’s Lifetime Half Moon Hoe, $79.95 (plus Cash Back), gardeners.com

Tidy it up:

Once you’ve aerated and chipped out most of those weeds, it’s time to tidy up those garden plots and spread that soil out. A good rake won’t cost a bundle, but avoid the least expensive tools, which tend to have tines that bend and break. Kobalt 36-Inch Landscape Rake, $44.98 (plus Cash back), lowes.com