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Have you ever wondered what those tools are called that people use to take care of their gardens? Learning English vocabulary for gardening tools can help you become a green thumb and enjoy the wonderful world of plants. Do you want to know how to identify and use tools like shovels, watering cans, and pruning shears? By mastering these words, you’ll be able to talk about gardening with others, ask for the right tool when working in a garden, and create your own beautiful green space!
Basic Hand Tools
1. Trowel (noun, /ˈtraʊəl/): A small handheld tool with a flat, pointed blade, used to dig small holes and move plants in gardening.
Example: She used the trowel to plant the marigold seeds.
2. Pruning shears (noun, /ˈpruːnɪŋ ʃɪrz/): A tool with sharp blades, used for cutting branches and stems.
Example: He used the pruning shears to cut back the overgrown rose bush.
3. Weeder (noun, /ˈwiːdər/): A long, slender gardening tool used for pulling up weeds.
Example: The weeder was an essential tool in keeping the vegetable garden free of invasive plants.
4. Hand rake (noun, /hænd reɪk/): A small rake used by hand for clearing and tidying in small or closely-planted areas.
Example: She used a hand rake to clear leaves and debris from the flower beds.
5. Secateurs (noun, /sɪˈkəːtərz/): A hand tool used for pruning shrubs and trees, also known as pruning shears.
Example: She used her secateurs to trim the dead branches from the apple tree.
6. Gardening gloves (noun, /ˈɡɑːrdənɪŋ ɡlʌvz/): Gloves worn to protect the hands while doing work in the garden.
Example: He put on his gardening gloves to protect his hands from thorns.
7. Garden knife (noun, /ˈɡɑːrdən naɪf/): A versatile tool with a serrated edge used for various garden tasks like planting, weeding, and cutting.
Example: She used the garden knife to cut through the tough roots.
8. Hand fork (noun, /hænd fɔːrk/): A small fork used for loosening, lifting and turning over soil in gardening.
Example: He used the hand fork to aerate the soil around the roses.
9. Bulb planter (noun, /bʌlb ˈplæntər/): A garden tool used to dig an appropriate hole for planting a bulb.
Example: The bulb planter made it easy to plant dozens of tulip bulbs.
10. Dibber (noun, /ˈdɪbər/): A pointed tool for making holes in the ground for seeds, bulbs or young plants.
Example: She used the dibber to make a hole for each of the bean seeds.
11. Garden snips (noun, /ˈɡɑːrdən snɪps/): A pair of small scissors used for precise cutting and trimming in the garden.
Example: She used the garden snips to cut fresh herbs from the plant.
Long-handled Tools
1. Shovel (noun, /ˈʃʌvəl/): A tool with a broad, flat blade and typically upturned sides, used for digging or lifting and moving material such as soil or gravel.
Example: She used a shovel to dig a hole for the new tree.
2. Spade (noun, /speɪd/): A tool with a sharp-edged, rectangular metal blade and a long handle, used for digging.
Example: He used a spade to edge the garden bed neatly.
3. Garden fork (noun, /ˈɡɑːrdən fɔːrk/): A gardening implement, with a handle and several (usually four) short, sturdy tines. It is used for loosening, lifting and turning over soil.
Example: With her garden fork, she loosened the compacted soil.
4. Hoe (noun, /hoʊ/): A garden tool with a thin flat blade on a long handle, used especially for weeding and breaking up soil.
Example: Using the hoe, he removed weeds from the vegetable patch.
5. Rake (noun, /reɪk/): A gardening tool with a row of pointed teeth fixed to a long handle, used for gathering leaves or for loosening or smoothing soil.
Example: She used a rake to gather all the fallen leaves into a pile.
6. Garden broom (noun, /ˈɡɑːrdən bruːm/): A tool with stiff bristles and a long handle, used for sweeping paths or other outdoor surfaces.
Example: He used the garden broom to clean the patio.
7. Edger (noun, /ˈɛdʒər/): A tool used to trim the edges of a lawn to give it a neat and uniform appearance.
Example: He used an edger to create a tidy boundary between the lawn and the garden bed.
8. Lawn aerator (noun, /lɔːn ˈeɪəreɪtər/): A garden tool designed to create small holes in the soil to allow water, air, and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots.
Example: The lawn aerator was used to improve the health of the grass in their yard.
9. Leaf blower (noun, /liːf ˈbloʊər/): A gardening tool that propels air out of a nozzle to move yard debris such as leaves.
Example: He used the leaf blower to clear the driveway of fallen leaves.
10. Tree pruner (noun, /triː ˈpruːnər/): A long-handled tool used to cut away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially at height without the need of a ladder.
Example: With a tree pruner, she was able to trim the tall apple tree from the ground.
Watering Tools
1. Watering can (noun, /ˈwɔːtərɪŋ kæn/): A container with a spout and a handle, used to water plants manually.
Example: Sarah filled up the watering can to water her indoor houseplants.
2. Garden hose (noun, /ˈɡɑːrdən hoʊz/): A flexible tube that carries water, usually attached to a water source, used for watering plants.
Example: John connected the garden hose to the tap to water his lawn.
3. Sprinkler (noun, /ˈsprɪŋklər/): A device that sprays water over a wide area, often used to water lawns or fields.
Example: They installed a sprinkler system to ensure their lawn stayed green during the hot summer months.
4. Hose nozzle (noun, /hoʊz ˈnoʊzəl/): The part attached to the end of a garden hose that controls the water’s pressure and direction.
Example: He adjusted the hose nozzle to spray a fine mist on the delicate flowers.
5. Soaker hose (noun, /ˈsoʊkər hoʊz/): A special type of hose that lets out small amounts of water over a long period, usually laid on the ground for watering plants at the root level.
Example: I use a soaker hose in my vegetable garden to provide a slow and steady watering to the plants.
6. Irrigation system (noun, /ˌɪrɪˈɡeɪʃən ˈsɪstəm/): A system set up to provide water to plants, often involving hoses, pipes, and sprinklers.
Example: The farmer’s irrigation system efficiently delivers water to his extensive fields.
7. Rain barrel (noun, /reɪn ˈbærəl/): A large container used to collect and store rainwater, which can then be used for watering plants.
Example: To conserve water, she set up a rain barrel to collect runoff from her roof.
8. Hose reel (noun, /hoʊz riːl/): A cylindrical device used to store a hose by winding it around the reel.
Example: He wound up the garden hose on the hose reel to keep it tidy.
9. Watering wand (noun, /ˈwɔːtərɪŋ wɒnd/): A long, handheld device with a nozzle at the end that is used to water plants, especially those that are hard to reach.
Example: She used the watering wand to reach the hanging plants.
10. Sprayer (noun, /ˈspreɪər/): A device, often a bottle with a pump, that is used to spray water or other liquids in a fine mist.
Example: She used a small sprayer to mist her tropical plants.
Gardening Machinery
1. Lawnmower (noun, /ˈlɔːnˌmoʊ.ər/): A machine used to cut grass evenly, often used in gardens or lawns.
Example: Every Saturday, Mr. Smith uses his lawnmower to keep his grass trim and neat.
2. String trimmer (noun, /strɪŋ ˈtrɪmər/): A gardening tool used for cutting grass and small plants, especially in areas hard to reach with a lawnmower.
Example: She used a string trimmer to tidy up the edges of her garden.
3. Hedge trimmer (noun, /hɛdʒ ˈtrɪmər/): A machine used for cutting and shaping hedges and bushes.
Example: The gardener used a hedge trimmer to shape the hedges into beautiful geometric forms.
4. Chainsaw (noun, /ˈtʃeɪnˌsɔː/): A power tool with a rotating chain carrying a series of cutting teeth, most often used for cutting down trees or chopping wood.
Example: He used his chainsaw to cut down the dead tree in his backyard.
5. Rototiller (noun, /ˈroʊtoʊˌtɪlər/): A machine used to turn over soil in preparation for planting.
Example: She used a rototiller to prepare the soil in her garden before planting vegetables.
6. Garden shredder (noun, /ˈɡɑːrdən ˈʃrɛdər/): A device used to break down garden waste into smaller pieces, which can then be composted or disposed of more easily.
Example: After trimming the hedges, he used the garden shredder to break down the cut branches.
7. Leaf vacuum (noun, /liːf ˈvækjuːm/): A device that sucks up fallen leaves, often shredding them into a bag for disposal or composting.
Example: In autumn, they use the leaf vacuum to keep their yard free of leaves.
8. Pressure washer (noun, /ˈprɛʃər ˈwɒʃər/): A machine that uses high-pressure water spray to remove dirt or unwanted substances from surfaces.
Example: He used a pressure washer to clean the garden patio and the driveway.
9. Garden cart (noun, /ˈɡɑːrdən kɑːrt/): A wheeled vehicle, smaller than a wheelbarrow, used for carrying small loads in gardening.
Example: She loaded the garden cart with pots and tools before heading to the garden.
Planting Accessories
1. Seed trays (noun, /siːd treɪz/): Trays with sections where seeds are planted to start their growth before they’re moved to a larger space.
Example: She filled her seed trays with soil and carefully placed the tomato seeds in each one.
2. Plant pots (noun, /plænt pɒts/): Containers in which plants are grown and displayed.
Example: She has a variety of plant pots on her balcony, each containing a different type of herb.
3. Wheelbarrow (noun, /ˈwiːlbærəʊ/): A single-wheeled cart with handles at the rear used for carrying small loads in gardening.
Example: He used a wheelbarrow to transport compost to his vegetable beds.
4. Garden basket (noun, /ˈɡɑːrdən ˈbɑːskɪt/): A container used for gathering or carrying various garden items such as flowers, fruits, vegetables, or tools.
Example: She filled her garden basket with freshly picked apples from the tree.
5. Plant markers (noun, /plænt ˈmɑːrkərz/): Small signs used to identify the different types of plants growing in a garden.
Example: After planting her seeds, she placed plant markers in each pot to remember which herbs she had planted.
6. Garden twine (noun, /ˈɡɑːrdən twaɪn/): A type of strong string used in gardening for various purposes, such as tying plants to supports.
Example: He used garden twine to secure the tomato plants to their stakes.
7. Trellis (noun, /ˈtrɛlɪs/): An architectural structure, usually made from an open framework or lattice of interwoven or intersecting pieces of wood or metal, which is used to support climbing plants.
Example: She installed a wooden trellis for her climbing rose to grow on.
8. Compost bin (noun, /ˈkɒmpɒst bɪn/): A container where organic waste is stored and decomposed to be used as a soil fertilizer.
Example: He puts kitchen scraps like vegetable peelings and coffee grounds into the compost bin.
9. Garden netting (noun, /ˈɡɑːrdən ˈnɛtɪŋ/): A type of barrier made from nets, used to protect plants from birds and insects.
Example: They covered their fruit bushes with garden netting to protect them from birds.
Congratulations on learning the English vocabulary for gardening tools! Now you can confidently name and use various tools to tend to your garden. This knowledge will help you engage in gardening activities, communicate with fellow gardeners, and enjoy the therapeutic benefits of nurturing plants. Keep exploring the world of gardening and continue expanding your vocabulary to become a skilled gardener!
