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Garden Like a Pro (Even If You’re a Beginner) 🌱 Indoor + Outdoor Essentials

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Save this list for your next garden center run and start your garden with confidence! Whether you're planting your first seeds indoors or building out your outdoor garden, this list includes all the beginner-friendly essentials you actually need.
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Indoor Seed Starting

Give your plants a head start indoors before planting outside!

 
Mary-Margaret C. profile picture
These trays are great, but the peat inserts are not, just use your own dirt!
VIVOSUN Indoor/Outdoor Reusable 72-Cell Seed Starter Kit Trays with Humidity Dome, Drain Hole (6-Pack) wal-SST-0001
 
Mary-Margaret C. profile picture
You can use regular dirt or a seed starting mix like this
Jiffy 12 qt. Organic Seed Starting Mix G313-48H
 
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This is what I use instead of the domes on the seed trays because I find it easier to manage.
Miracle-Gro 23 in. x 17 in. x 57 in. Mini Greenhouse 70524
 
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If you don't like to get your hands dirty, a soil scoop can be helpful for pot filling. Sometimes I even just use a small pot as a “scoop.”
Husky 6-1/5 in. Injection Handle Soil Scoop GD210306
 
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Don't forget to label your seeds!!
Burpee Plastic Plant Labels 6 in. (20/Pack) 92385
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Keep your seed babies hydrated!!
Bloem 1.5 L Grey Resin Watering Can FWC15-907HD
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If your house is cooler, then a heat mat underneath your seed trays can help the seedlings sprout
Ferry-Morse Heat Mat KHM-8H
 
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If you live in the more Northern states/countries, you might need a grow light to make up for the lack of sunlight
Ferry-Morse Grow Light Seed Starter Kit KLight-9H

Outdoor Gardening

Everything you need for getting down and dirty outside

 
Mary-Margaret C. profile picture
My favorite gloves! I know hands are washable, but sometimes it's nice to not dig dirt out from under your nails, y'know?
Digz Women's Large Nitrile Coated Gloves (3-Pack) 79882-024
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Mary-Margaret C. profile picture
Stainless steel tools are the GOAT and won't break the second time you use them like the wood handled ones!
Husky 6.2 in. Double Grip Injection Handle Stainless Steel Garden Trowel GD210301
 
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For transplanting time!
Anvil 15.8 in x 10.5 in x 1.2 in Foam Kneeling Pad GD220562
 
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For clearing the transplanting area / turning the soil / etc.
Husky 47 in. L Wood Handle Carbon Steel Digging Shovel with Grip 77416-945
 
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For turning the soil / raking weeds, etc.
Corona ComfortGEL 6.5 in. Comfort Grip Premium Stainless Steel Hand Cultivator CT 3334
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I haaaaate edging, but it does make your garden look clean and professional
Husky 34 in. T-Handle Edger 77154-950
 
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I find this better than string for tying up droopy seedlings / plants
Burpee Garden Sturdy Plant Twist Tie 100 in. 92720
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For raking / leveling your garden before planting
Husky 57 in. Wood Handle 16-Tine Bow Rake 77105-942
 
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For dead-heading / pruning
Fiskars 3/4 in. Cut Capacity 9.4 in. Steel Blade Bypass Pruning Shears with SoftGrip Handles 1072980
 
Mary-Margaret C. profile picture
I just got one of these and WHEREEEE has this been all my life?!?! So much faster, not to mention easier on the wrists & hands!
RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Grass Shear and Shrubber Trimmer with 2.0 Ah Battery and Charger PBLSH01K
 
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For all your yard waste
The Home Depot 30 Gal. Paper Lawn and Leaf Bags (5 Count) THDLL305
 
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Save your back and use a wheelbarrow for moving dirt / plants / whatever! We just upgraded to a two-wheeled one and it is SO much easier to move, wowza
Husky 6 cu. ft. Dual-Wheel, Poly Wheelbarrow with 8 in. Flat-Free Tires 6CUwheelbarrow