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Everything you need to buy now so your yard doesn't humble you later.

It starts with buying the right things early, before the rush, before the shortages, and before you're forced to make panicky, last-minute choices in the garden aisle of your local big-box retailer. From seed-starting gear and fertilizer spikes to weed-pulling tools, gloves, shears, and even a smart sprinkler controller, these picks will help set the whole season up for success. 

Promising review: "I sprinkled it on my lawn expecting the usual patchy disappointment. Next thing I know, my yard is looking like it belongs on the cover of Better Homes & Gardens. The neighbors suddenly started waving at me, dogs come by just to roll in it, and I’m pretty sure my mailman lingers just to admire the turf. It grew so fast I half expected it to start paying rent. 10/10 would recommend — unless you like being the only person on the block without a golf course in front of your house." —Kayla Mom 

Get it from Amazon for $14.97+ (available in five sizes). 

Promising review: "Snug fit, and they preserve my dexterity. I feel very protected from wet soil and yard debris (probably not thorns — I haven't pushed it). I love these gloves for gardening and even for light construction, like sanding wood. Grip's really good and helps me get my hands dirty when I don't really feel like it. No need for a nail brush after gardening with these gloves." —Delayed Gratification

Get it on Amazon for $9.99+ (available in five sizes). 

NOMPI Gloves is a woman-owned small business in New Jersey that makes garden gloves with long, pretty sleeves. The idea came to founder Lynne Eichenbaum after she contracted poison ivy while tending to her vegetable garden.

OK, I seriously love these. The nitrile glove attached to the sleeve is thin enough that I can actually feel what I'm doing, but thick enough that it won't get punctured. It's been heating up where I live, and instead of throwing on a long-sleeve shirt to protect my arms, I just slide these on, and they feel so much better! The sleeves are 100% cotton, so they're breathable and lightweight. And the fun pattern? Just an extra little bonus I didn't know I needed. 

Promising review: "Made well. Great idea. I don’t need expensive leather things. I get a lot of use out of these, picking berries and trimming prickly bushes!" —Amy

Get it from NOMPI Gloves on Etsy for $21.99 (available in three sizes and six patterns).

Promising review: "Whoever invented this, I humbly bless you! This tool has saved my back! Before, I had been using the leaf grabber hand mitts, which grabbed a great deal of leaves, but the constant bending to pick the piles up left me sore for days afterward. The tool's weight is light and easy to manage. This was a great purchase for sure!" —Remybuxaplenty

Home Grown is a small business that sells heirloom seeds.

Promising review: "I planted them a few months ago, thinking that I could fit the entire bag in one little flower bed. I definitely fit the whole bag in, and these flowers grew to about three feet tall. Next year, I'm definitely going to space it out a little bit more, but it was amazing to see a dense, lush field of zinnias, and the bumblebees absolutely loved them. I frequently would find them taking a nap on top of the flower heads. Great addition to a pollination bed. Water at least every other day to keep them happy if it's not raining there. You will be amazed by how well they do." —Victoria

Promising review: "We have three giant oak trees, about 60-70 years old. Back in May of 2022, we noticed one of them looked very scraggly and wasn't putting out leaves like the others. So we used these spikes on May 19, 2022, and a year later, on May 19, 2023, the difference is amazing. It's actually looking better than our other two now (and it's now Sept 2024), so we are going to use the spikes on our other two giant oaks this season. Totally impressed!" —V M T R

Get it from Amazon for $12.36+ (available in tree and shrub or fruit and citrus packs (or both!)).

Grampa's Gardenware Co. is a family-owned small business based in Oregon that makes gardening tools.

Promising review: "We just moved into a new home and I couldn’t find my Grandpa’s Weeder tool. My husband said he had gotten rid of it via donation, not knowing it’s something I’ve used for over 20 years! Well, needless to say, I found it here on Amazon and was sooo happy that I could replace it. I cannot weed without this tool, and honestly, I won’t even try. This gets the entire root of your weed and removes the possibility of it coming back! Once in a while, if a weed is super-sized, it may take more than one removal, but it really does a phenomenal job and saves my back, too. It’s also kinda fun to use." —Rachael

Garden Guru is a small business that sells lawn and garden tools.

After moving to the East Coast, I quickly learned that the stone pathways around my home are basically a spa retreat for moss and weeds. The cracks collect moisture, trap organic debris, and offer *just* enough shelter to help unwanted greenery flourish, especially with all the shade and rain we get. I didn't want my outdoor space to turn into a jungle, so I grabbed this tool and got to work. It's weirdly satisfying — kind of like flossing, but for your stone paths. The bent tip slides right into the cracks and pulls weeds out from the root, which helps keep them from coming back anytime soon. I've used it on my pathways, driveway, and anywhere else something tries to sprout where it shouldn't. The handle is comfortable, and it doesn't take much effort to use. It's quickly becoming one of my favorites. If you've got hardscaping, you need this in your toolkit. 

Promising review: "These plant supports each consist of two semi-circles that fit together to encircle the plant. I have two snake plants that are getting taller and need support. These plant stakes are working perfectly. They can easily be inserted into the soil to the desired height, and the green color obscures their appearance. My plants look prettier and stronger now that they are standing tall." —A.Consumer

Promising review: "Solid design. Multiple nozzles are super simple to install and remove. I used the 0-degree nozzle (cleaning weeds between pavers) and the 40-degree nozzle (cleaning the bicycle); both were well-suited to their tasks. Not too noisy, and the noise stops when the hand trigger is released. A breeze to use. I am well satisfied." —DickieBird

"I've never used the word 'satisfying' as an adjective for an object before, but this one....this one right here? Satisfying. Perfection." —Shatara Krupala

Get it from Amazon for $110.49+ (available in two model types).

Promising review: "I started my peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, and tomatillos in the LetPot seed starter and I love it!! I just transplanted them outside to my greenhouse. It was so convenient to have a grow light and warming pad all built into one product, which means fewer plugs to worry about. The other great thing was being able to control the device from my phone. There were times that I woke in the middle of the night and realized the temp was too high and I was able to adjust the temp from my bed." —Keturah

Get it from LePot for $83.99 (originally $119.99; use discount code SD30 for 30% off).

Promising review: "Great value for the $$ and attractive! Looks great on my back porch area and a nice place to store all my planting supplies. The metal countertop is a nice touch, as it’s easy to wipe down and gives it a bit of a rustic look. I highly recommend and would buy it again!" —Staci Evans

Get it from Amazon for $112.99+ (available in three wood finishes).

Promising review: "I’ve had a really good experience using this potting mix from Miracle-Gro. It’s a high-quality soil that works very well for my container plants, flowers, and even a few vegetables that I grow in pots. The texture of the mix is light and fluffy, which makes it easy for roots to grow and helps the soil drain properly without becoming too compact. When I repotted my plants using this mix, they quickly looked healthier and more vibrant. One thing I really like is that it feeds plants for up to six months, which makes gardening much easier. I don’t have to constantly worry about adding fertilizer right away because the nutrients are already included in the soil. I’m very happy with the results and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys container gardening." —Simplified

Get it from Amazon for $9.67+ (available in four bag sizes).

Promising review: "I needed something sharp and small enough for deadheading smaller blooms, but that would also do well with any size of bloom. These are my new favorite pair. They're sharp and easy to use. The small push lock that keeps the blades closed is very easy to unlock and relock. I would highly recommend these to any gardening professional or hobbyist like me." —JoJo

Get it from Amazon for $6.99 (available in orange, black, or blue).

Promising review: "So I'm no plant pot-biologist, but these are awesome. They're durable and strong. The handles are stitched on super well. They are also solid enough to hold the soil and plant with no problem while letting enough oxygen to the roots to create a bigger root ball, leading to bigger plants/yields. Best mesh flower pots by far." —Ram C

Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in tan or black and in 10 sizes).

Promising review: "These are great for plants! I have three five-gallon geranium plants that don't like to get wet. For the last couple of years, I was lugging them around back and forth on the patio. What a relief for my back that I don't have to do that anymore. The trays are sturdy and deep enough that water doesn't come out all over the ground, either. I like the wheel locking feature in case I want them to stay in place, and the maneuverability of them is great." —Cheryl

Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in two colors).

My house has a lot of lawn: over 3,000 square feet. When we first moved in, I bought a cheap battery-powered mower that could barely handle either the front or the back yard on a single charge. Not ideal. This Ryobi mower is the total opposite. I can mow both the front and back with charge to spare.

A "command center" lets you activate turbo mode and lights, and adjust the self-propel speed right from the handle (great for slowing down when you're trying to mow a corner). Turbo mode gives you an extra boost for tough patches, and it comes with a grass catcher bag, though I always keep mine on mulch mode because it's better for the lawn. The handle folds down for easy storage.

Bonus: the 40V battery works with over 85 other Ryobi tools, which I love because it means I can expand my collection without collecting a bunch of different batteries.

Promising review: "I bought this mower exclusively for my front yard because I love my yard to be neat. Since my yard is on a slope, self-propelled is a must. I was really surprised by the power of the drive and the very even cut. Stores away in my garage and is always ready. Am I happy? Extremely." —Greg D.

Promising review: "I bought this Rachio 3 because I need remote control of my irrigation system. I did research, and Rachio 3 came to the top of the list. My old one is Hunter, which is ok, but not Wi-Fi controllable. Plus, it is hard to schedule different watering schedules at the same time. The Rachio 3 is really smart and very user-friendly. It will skip the water day if rainfall is in the forecast. I wish I had bought this unit years ago." —Turning Point 

Get it from Amazon for $199+ (available with different settings).

The seven-piece kit includes a weeding fork, cultivator, weeder, transplanter, trowel, folding stool, and tool bag.

Promising review: "When I saw this product, I needed to purchase it for myself. I have been into gardening lately, and I spend a lot of time outside. My back always hurts from bending over, or my knees ache. So having this chair low enough to the ground is so convenient! I also love that it comes with the tools and the tool bag attached to the chair. It folds flat for easy storage. I love it! —sheena bostick

Promising review: "I have three of these coupled with three 25 versions. This gives us maximum flexibility and reliability. I got very tired of spending money on the flexible hoses only to have them fail within a year. These hoses keep on doing their job. Very good buy." —Duffy 

Get it from Amazon for $12.85+ (available in eight lengths and five colors).

Promising review: "I am SO GLAD I bought these! I originally bought these to stake my tomato plants, but now the options are limitless. I'm going to make a trellis for blackberries/strawberries and something for my clematis to climb. Yes, some of them are skinnier, and they aren't perfect, but they're BAMBOO, people. I love the look of them not being "perfect." Very sturdy and easily went into the ground. I would highly recommend!!" —Arkanjel

Promising review: "These are the best knee pads I have ever used, for sure. Nice and soft feeling. They allow me to stay on my knees for an extended period of time without getting uncomfortable. I have worn them for nine-hour working days without any issues with fit, adjustment, or comfort. If you put them in place, they will stay in place. They have great cushioning and are very comfortable, but in my opinion, what really makes them better than most other knee pads on the market is the fact that they have two adjustable straps with slip buckles instead of one of the straps being Velcro. You can attach them very easily, and because you’re able to tighten them better than Velcro, they will stay in place. The straps are of good elasticity, so they won’t start hurting you even when they are really tight." —Shannon Huett

Get them from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in two styles).

Promising review: "This was a surprisingly nice build. Good for a small backyard; stores random tools and garden hoses. No water gets inside, either. Highly recommend." —YUNI N.

Get it from Amazon for $179.99 (available in two colors).

Promising review: "I couldn’t be happier with this cart. It’s really sturdy, good quality, and it holds soo much weight! I have used it to carry XL ceramic pots, pathway stones of 250+ pounds, and more. Love it and recommend it 100%." —c davila

Get it from Amazon for $119.99+ (available in five colors).

Lemon Studio is a woman- and family-owned small business based in Chilliwack, Canada, that makes beautiful objects for the home with a laser engraving machine.

Promising review: "The plant stakes are great! They show up really well in my herb garden! Thank you!" —Judy Davis

Get it from Lemon Studio for $4.19 (available with all the common herbs and vegetable names with the option to add a custom name).

Hilton Carter lives in Baltimore and is an all-around plant genius who has amassed over 500,000 followers on Instagram. He's also the author of six books about houseplants and plant styling.

Get it from Things by HC for $100 (available in original or dark denim).

Promising review: "We just put this up last week in our garage and already love how it looks and functions. We love how you can customize the different hook arrangements to fit your needs easily. Everything is included inside the box with meaty screws to hold up the bracket. We liked it so much we decided to get another set to extend it even more." —Ian Petersen 

Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in four lengths).

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

This piece is by Sally Elshorafa, the Home and Garden Editor at BuzzFeed Shopping, who’s written hundreds of stories about furniture, decor, cleaning, gardening, and home upgrades, all with one goal: to sift through the nonsense and surface what’s actually worth your money.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.