So, you've finally decided to put in a little effort to turn your back yard into a low-maintenance garden? You'll need a few basic garden tools to ensure you get the job done right and fast. Here are some garden tools that can help you to construct and maintain your low maintenance garden.

The right garden tools make the job easy. Your aim is to have an easy, low-maintenance backyard that requires little effort to keep it looking good, it should certainly not require your attention every day. You want sturdy plants that are relatively self-sufficient. You want trees that are pleasant to look at, perhaps some grasses and a bit of lawn.

Here are some useful essential tools to help you achieve that low maintenance garden:

For a small lawn, a small lawn mower is adequate to keep the grass trimmed. For a larger sized lawn buy a larger mower. Bulbs add color and can brighten up a dull corner. For this you will need a bulb planter or a trowel to make holes in the soil for your bulbs. Of course no garden can be without a spade. A stainless steel spade is slightly more expensive but worth the extra cost as it is easier to clean and will not rust. As your garden grows you may need to loosen soil occasionally, and for that you need a garden fork. Come fall when leaves drop off the trees, a rake will help tidy them up.

Protect your hands when gardening. For light gardening, cotton gloves are fine. However, if you are going to have your hands wet all the time, rather use latex gloves to keep your hands nice and dry and feeling good.

If you have an animal-proof fence around your garden, then you need plastic gloves for painting the fence. You may need proper woodwork tools for maintenance and preparation before painting.

Think about getting some pruning shears to keep your shrubs looking neat and tidy and leather gloves for when handling thorny plants like roses.

Get a watering can with a long spout for easy reach of awkward places. A pair of knee pads to protect your knees is useful. If your garden is large, a small sturdy wheelbarrow comes in handy for hauling compost, fertilizer, etc., around. A strong shovel helps when dealing with debris or shifting soil.

These are the basic essential tools required for a low-maintenance garden that will allow you to be able to deal with most garden maintenance tasks. Since you will be using them for many years, it is worthwhile investing in decent quality garden tools as available online, or take a trip to your local garden store.