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These garden tools will make any outdoor job easier.

Whether you’re a novice gardener or have years of experience digging in the dirt, the right tools make a difference when it comes to garden chores. Whether you're pruning your shrubs or roses, growing herbs for a cocktail garden, planting pollinator-friendly flowers or nurturing your cutting garden, you’ll save time and frustration by using the right tools. While you don’t need a garden shed full of equipment, you do need some basics: A watering can and/or hose, hand tools such as a trowel, pruners, and gloves. Solid gardening boots with a heavy tread are another must-have, as well as a digging spade and fork if you’ll be planting larger items such as shrubs or trees.

A little maintenance also will help your hand tools last longer. Before storing, make sure to rinse off dirt, then let air dry before storing. If rust is forming, clean metal parts with steel wool, then apply a light coat of silicone spray, such as WD-40, or even vegetable oil. For wooden handles, lightly sand off any rough spots or splinters, and use a soft cloth dampened with linseed oil to keep the wood pliable. For hoses, drain well before storing for the winter in cold climates.

Now, here are our field-tested picks for best gardening tools to buy this year:

This classic 2-gallon watering can is made from galvanized steel with a powder coating to prevent corrosion. Perfectly balanced in the hand and beautifully crafted, it’s made in England with nearly the same design used since the company’s founding in 1886. The brass rose, where water pours out, is removable so you can direct a gentle rain-like for seedlings or steady stream for larger plants such as shrubs.

Made in Holland since 1898, these beautiful garden tools are made from boron steel with European FSC-certified ash hardwood handles. The set includes a three-tine cultivator, trowel and hand fork and comes with a lifetime guarantee. This hand-forged set is destined to become an heirloom for the next generation of gardeners in your family.

White pine, maple, and metal make this handy carrying basket a useful tool for carrying freshly snipped flowers or vegetables from your garden. Handmade in Maine, it comes in two convenient sizes that drape nicely over your arm.

The longtime choice of professionals, this iconic pruner was first developed and sold in 1948 and has hardened steel blades and forged aluminum handles with ergonomic grips. Made in Switzerland, these heavy-duty pruners feel solid in the hand. They’ll last for years, because all components can be replaced. The pruners also have a lifetime warranty.

Can a garden tool be too pretty to use? Hand-forged from stainless steel, this lightweight garden fork allows you to lift and divide perennials or mix in amendments with ease. Made in Holland since 1913, this fork has a sturdy ash wood handle and sharp, flat-face tines for ease of use. It comes with a lifetime warranty.

When you’re pruning roses or shrubs, you need heavy-duty gloves; fabric gloves simply don’t offer the protection you need. This pair is made of goatskin, which is strong yet flexible, and the leather gauntlet will keep your forearms protected from nasty thorns and scratchy branches. They’re comfortable, available in five sizes, and well priced for their durability.

Make watering your flowers an easier task with this lightweight and kink-resistant hose. It comes in 3 colors and lengths of 25, 50, and 100 feet. Made in the U.S., the hose is PBA and phthalate free. Plus, the 50-foot size weighs just 3 pounds, so it’s less cumbersome to transport throughout the garden.

Whether repotting plants, weeding, or harvesting vegetables, this sturdy, versatile 20-gallon tub is super lightweight and convenient for toting around the garden. The flexible handles make it easy to carry in one hand or to use as an extra-large watering can. Just rinse it out when you’re done working.

A border spade is slightly smaller than a standard garden spade so you can work in raised beds or tight areas. This spade has a T-shaped handle for better control. It’s made in Holland from forged Swedish boron steel and has a European FSC-certified ash handle by Dewit, a fifth-generation family owned business.

While not exactly a “tool,” the right garden boots certainly make garden chores simpler. These cute boots are tough enough to withstand any outdoor chore, from pulling weeds to pruning. The tops fold down, if you prefer a shorter boot, and you can slip them off easily when you need to run indoors. The thick treads give good traction on muddy and wet surfaces, and the breathable material mesh lining keeps feet warm or cool. Hose them off when you’re done, and they’re ready for the next round of digging.

These sturdy stainless shears have infinite uses in the garden: Snip stray branches, trim back herbs, deadhead flowers, harvest thick-stemmed vegetables such as peppers and eggplants, and cut fresh flowers for bouquets. Because they fold up neatly, you can tuck them into your gardening apron or use the pocket clip to slide onto a belt loop. These nearly indestructible sheers, actually developed for medical professionals, are made in Oregon and have a 25-year warranty.