A.M. Leonard Soil Knife & Sheath - My number one gardening tool I always have on me. I use this knife in lieu of a trowel. It has been going strong for 5 years through heavy use. The serrated edge allows you to cut roots under the soil line. It’s a tool I could never do without.

Stirrup/Scuffle Hoe - My favorite method of weeding large areas is using the stirrup hoe. The open metal end shifts as you run it back and forth just beneath the soil line, uprooting weeds as you go. No need to bend down!

Farm Fork - I love this little fork for incorporating a new layer of compost onto my garden beds in the spring. Also great for turning your compost pile and digging dahlias at the end of the season.

Felco Pruner & Sheath - Pruners that will last your lifetime if properly taken care of. The sheath is absolutely necessary so you can carry your pruners everywhere while in the garden!

Pruner Sharpener - Necessary for keeping your sharpest tools sharp.

Victorinox Harvest Knife - Sharp, serrated knife perfect for harvesting heads of lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, etc. I definitely recommend getting the sheath case too, for proper storage and safety as this knife is incredibly sharp.

Watering Can - This type of watering can is my favorite for fertilizing plants and watering in new seeds. Its wide mouth “rains” down on the plants and the adjustable handle makes the job so easy.

Tub Trugs - I always have a few of these tub trugs on hand. I drag it behind me as I weed the garden, throwing the spent weeds in the trug. They hold more than a bucket and are easier to carry than a Rubbermaid tub because the plastic is flexible yet very heavy duty.

Soil Blocker - Soil blocking is my preferred method of seed starting. Click here for a tutorial on soil blocking. Click here to see all of my seed starting materials & setup.

Drip Irrigation Kits - I buy drip irrigation supplies from Dripworks. You can opt to use flexible soaker hoses instead.

Irrigation Timer - If you have a large garden with drip hoses or drip irrigation, automating it with a timer is the easiest way to set yourself up! This Orbit timer is the one I use on my farm. A single valve timer would work well in any backyard garden.

Pure Raw Linseed Oil - For staining untreated wood that you’ll use to build raised beds.

36” Height Hardware Mesh for Fencing - Galvanized steel, extra strong hardware cloth with 1/2” mesh holes. Secure with zip ties to these U-Posts for a complete, simple fencing set up.

Deer Fencing Kits from Deerbusters

favorite garden & soil books

Gaia’s Garden: A Home-scale Guide to Permaculture by Toby Hemenway

Teaming with Microbes: A Gardener’s Guide to the Soil Food Web by Jeff Lowenfels

The Soil Will Save Us: How Scientists, Farmers, and Foodies Are Healing the Soil to Save the Planet by Kristin Ohlson

Quality Agriculture, Vol. 1 by John Kempf

Vegetables Love Flowers: Companion Planting for Beauty and Bounty by Lisa Mason Ziegler

Growing Food in a Hotter, Drier Land: Lessons from Desert Farmers on Adapting to Climate Uncertainty by Gary Paul Nabhan

How to Grow More Vegetables by John Jeavons

Milkwood: Real Skills for Down-to-Earth Living by Nick Ritar & Kirsten Bradley of Milkwood Permaculture

ORGANIC FERTILIZERS & SOIL AMENDMENTS

Compost - Learn how to make your own in this in-depth blog post, or source local organic compost from your municipality or a garden center. CJ Krantz in East Amherst has good “Organic Leaf Mulch Compost” that can be delivered to your home.

Mycorrhizal Fungi Inoculant - Every plant in your garden should be accompanied with a dip of mycorrhizae inoculant.

Fish Emulsion - An organically-derived fertilizer that is great for vegetables and herbs. This brand in particular is my favorite.

Kelp Meal & Alfalfa Meal - I recommend prepping your garden in the spring with Alfalfa Meal and/or Kelp Meal. You can also buy Pelleted Alfalfa at Tractor Supply Co in large 40 or 50 pound bags.

Bat Guano - Safe, all purpose organic fertilizer with macro- and micronutrients

Cover Crop Mix - I like this mix sold on Amazon. Click here to learn more about cover cropping your garden.

HELP IDENTIFYING WEEDS HERE - Rutgers NJ Weed Gallery (many of the same weeds we have in WNY)