If you’re looking for a fun new hobby that offers hours of enjoyment, you can’t beat gardening. Even better, many of the essential tools you need to get started are available at your local hardware store. This guide explains what to plant, tools you’ll need, and other gardening basics to get you going. 

What Should You Plant?

Paying attention to the time of year is beneficial when planting. You don’t want to plant something in the middle of summer that does best in the fall, or vice versa. You also want to make sure that the plants you choose are suitable for your environment. Minnesota is a hardiness zone 4, which means the spring season is usually shorter than normal. 

When it comes to vegetables, carrots, broccoli, corn, and beans are all suited to zone 4 conditions when planting in July. In August, kale, cucumber, and lettuce are all great selections to enjoy for a fall harvest. If you’d also like your gardens to contain flowers, marigolds and snapdragons do well this time of year. 

What Tools Should You Buy?

A spade should be the first item you pick up, as it’s useful for a number of purposes (from digging to edging). Hand trowels are also essential, especially when it comes to transplanting plants and herbs. 

Of course, you’ll also need to make sure your garden has plenty of water to grow. While you can do just fine with a standard garden hose, a watering wand allows you to reach faraway places with ease, like the back section of borders. If you’re serious about gardening, you might even consider an irrigation system. Round out your gardening collection with pruning shears, gloves, rakes, and wheelbarrows.

With the right tools, you can grow a beautiful and thriving garden. More than just a hardware store, Beisswenger's Hardware & Power Equipment in New Brighton, MN, features an expansive garden center that will fulfill all of your gardening needs. If you have questions about what to grow, or what tools you’ll need, the staff members are always happy to pass on their knowledge to customers. Learn more about this amazing hardware store by visiting the website. If you’d like to speak with someone directly, feel free to call (651) 633-1271 to speak with a friendly and knowledgeable representative.