Gardener “Must-Haves”

Lisa's Landscape & Design ♦ 10/26/2025 ♦ Leave a comment

Gardener “Must Haves”

No matter what time of year rather it’s the holidays, a birthday or any time of year, these are some of my favorite gifts and gardener “must haves”.

Gardening Gloves and Sleeves

Gloves are a gardener must in most cases and while I’m guilt of not wearing them too often, I have payed for it dearly over the years. The sleeves are a great addition for scratchy plants and sensitive skin. The gloves below are available in several lengths and even tech friendly for when you’re pretending you’re at work. 

Moisture Meter

This is an absolute Must Have for any Central Texas gardener because you cannot tell what is happening beneath the soil. This inexpensive little moisture meter is far more reliable than the weather channel and takes the guess work out of watering. 

Loppers for Plant and Tree Trimming

You get what you pay for in garden tools and this “must have” will be a pricey one that’s well worth the cost in saving you time and potential injury to plants by using poor quality tools. You can tell my tools are well worn, but you would never guess how old they are because they last a good long time when you spend a little extra. 

Must-Have Gardener Shirts for Sun Protection

These are not your typical shirt, these are specifically designed for outdoor protection by providing full skin coverage for UVA/UVB rays and up to 50% UPF skin protection. 
They can be found in an array of styles and colors and are certainly build for comfort and breathability. 
I have found several on discount at the end of the season and I travel with them as well. I mark this down as a must have for any gardener because the sun ain’t playin in Central Texas and skin cancer is no joke. 

 

Gas fire Pit

This is a want for sure, and while this may not qualify as a gardener tool, it is definitely a great way to enjoy your hard work all year. There are so many beautiful choices online and unlike wood burning options, they can be hooked up to a portable propane tank and you’re good to go any day or night.

I also love that they are portable and easy to move around if you’re like me and like to rearrange with the seasons. 

Organic Fertilizers, Weed and Pest Control, and Mosquito Repellents 

These are definitely a gardeners friend and a must-have collection in my book. Organic fertilizers are the only way to go because they don’t poison the earth when used properly. 
Organic weed and pest controls are also a great way to focus on the problem at hand instead of broadcast spraying and killing everything in sight.

Lastly, anyone in Central Texas will tell you that we have our share of skeeters and not only are they annoying, they also carry deadly diseases that can be transmitted through their bite. Mosquito dunks (below) can be placed in standing water of any kind and only kill the mosquito larvae, not pets or wildlife. 

Garden Wagon

One of my favorite Gardner gifts was this awesome garden wagon from my honey. With our weather extremes fluctuating from cold to heat and back again, this collapsible wagon is a quick go-to for protecting sensitive plants in cold snaps. Add this to your “wants list”.

I store my garden wagon next to my 67 Volkswagen, sharing the garage in a cold night. This collapsible wagon is also a great tool to have around for hauling soil, mulch, furniture babies, plant babies, kids and much more. 

A Must-Have Garden Claw

My favorite tool of all time is the Garden claw. Shown above in a several styles, one of them will be a perfect fit for you or given as a gift. I use these for digging holes, weeding, and tilling the soil. It’s a great tool and a great upper body workout. As far as I’m concerned, this is a must!

A Weed Popper/Puller

Literally the ONLY thing you will ever hear me say I recommend from the Scott’s company is a manual weed popper. I don’t recommend any of thier other products to be clear, but I’m a big fan of this popper because it is light weight and easy to use. There are a number of weed poppers you can find online and at garden centers and it is a “must have” to be sure!

Electric Lawnmower

The electric Lawnmowers, weed eaters, hedgers and blowers are the only way to go because of their efficiency. Unlike gas powered engines that are a source of noise and air pollution, these battery operated machines are lightweight, quiet and insanely effective. This qualifies as a must and a want. 

Hand tools and Carrying Bag  

 

If you’re like me, I like to leave my tools all over the yard to my husbands dismay. So the gardener bag is a great gift for you or someone else. This is a great place to keep hand loppers, garden scissors, hand sprinklers, gloves, citronella spray and kneeler pads, and I keep a scarf for sweating or an emergency tourniquet. 

A Garden Bench

I don’t think you can have too many seating areas and I love garden benches because they can be found in so many cool styles. The portability and artistic aspects of these additions make them a feature and a function. 
I think it qualifies for both the want and must because you want it and you must have it. 😉

Sculpture and Statuary

Sculpture is a really personal addition to any landscape. It must speak to the homeowner and have meaning or memories attached to them which clearly makes then a “want”. The beautiful part of adding art to the landscape is that it is so unique and can range in price from garage sale deals to custom works of art. 

The mailbox below is a stellar example of starting the party at the street. This is making a statement for sure and while it is pricey, it is well worth the statement.

Statement sculpture and statuary can be made of Corten metal, resin, pottery and stainless steel. It can be a religious symbol, a memorial of a loved one, a funky work of art, or a kinetic sculpture with movement in the wind. Supporting local Artists is a beautiful way to support the community while rewarding yourself a job well done. 

 

 

I hope you are inspired by these must-haves and “wants” for the next holiday or “treat yoself” day. I also hope I’ve inspired you to add the “needs” to your immediate list because they can be game changers in the landscape by saving you time, protecting you from the elements and showing kindness to the planet and each other. 

 

Lisa LaPaso

Lisa’s Landscape & Design

”Saving the Planet One Yard at a Time”