10 Essentials Every Gardener Should Own

The garden tools are sharpened and ready to go, which means we're counting down the days until the ground thaws and we can start planting. But before ordering seeds, it's important to take some time to finalize your landscape. Designing an outdoor space is just as involved and requires as much thought as the interior of your house. Start by figuring out what you want from your space, find your style, and plan for plants year-round enjoyment. In short, there's a lot to be done before you can get out there and start planning. One last to-do to add to your list? Make sure you're prepared with the right gear.

To help ensure you're able to keep digging—in comfort and style—throughout the season, we've rounded up a number of our must-have gardening essentials. From the right garden stool to the best pair of boots to wear outdoors, our go-to gear list ensures that gardening is even more enjoyable than it's ever been before. If you're wondering what we're loving right now, click through to see which tools and accessories made our list. First up, our favorite thing to wear in the yard. While you can don pretty much anything while puttering around in your flower beds and vegetable garden, we're partial to a great pair of overalls. Otherwise known as bibs, our favorite pair of heavy-duty overalls move with you while also keeping you clean. Plus, they offer lots of storage in the form of 13 handy pockets. Wear them with our favorite one of our pairs of boots for a look that's both comfortable and weatherproof.

Other must-have gear? A go-to pair of gloves, a protective sun hat (to be worn in conjunction with SPF, of course), and a tote with room for everything you'll need.

These overalls were made for working. Constructed out of heavy-duty denim with just a bit of stretch to move easily with you, they are also equipped with reinforced panels and handy pockets (13 in total!). But the real life-saver: A pocket with a snap on the bib to store your cell phone, so it won't fall out when you bend over to pull out that pesky weed.

Shop Now: Dovetail Workwear "Freshley" Overall in Black Stretch Denim, $129, dovetailworkwear.com.

Keep your garden tools in one place with Martha Stewart's spacious canvas tote. Six exterior pockets are just the right size for pruners, trowels, a hori hori knife, and more. The reinforced handles and shoulder strap allow for comfortable travel.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Heavy-Duty Canvas Garden Bag, $26.44, amazon.com.

These tough, no nonsense boots slip on easily, are weatherproof, and are super comfortable for all day wear thanks to built-in shock absorbers.

Shop Now: Blundstone "Original 500 Boots," $189.95, blundstone.com.

For light tasks, slip on a pair of these gloves. They fit like second skin making it a breeze to handle detail work like thinning out seedlings. 

Shop Now: Martha Stewart "MTS-GLVNP1-S" Nitrile Coated All-Purpose Garden Gloves with Non-Slip Grip, $9.17, amazon.com.

If you need to tackle a patch of brambles or prune your rose bushes, try these heavy-duty goat-skin gloves. The buttery-soft, supple leather molds to your hands and the gloves extend to your elbows for extra protection.

Shop Now: Womanswork "Gauntlet" Goatskin Gloves, $48, womanswork.com.

Keep sun off your neck with a cotton bandana (or wear it wet on steamy days to stay cool). This neutral, goes-with-everything blue option is a versatile choice.

Shop Now: Madewell Bandana in Classic Indigo, $12.50, nordstrom.com.

A sun hat is a must when spending the day outdoors. This lightweight, breathable one, which is hand-woven out of palm leaves, comes with an adjustable chin strap to ensure it stays put even when a gust of wind blows.

Shop Now: Terrain "Lattice Palm" Hat, $58, shopterrain.com.

It's important to stay hydrated, and this vacuum insulated bottle will soon become your new best friend. Water stays icy cold—even when sitting outside for hours in the hot sun—and tea remains piping hot. Plus, the flip top is a cinch to open using only one hand.

Shop Now: Zojirushi Stainless Steel Water Bottle, from $19.99, target.com.

Planting and weeding got a whole lot easier with this lightweight, portable stool with a slightly curved base that leans with you as you move. Carry this around with you in the garden—your back and knees will thank you.

Shop Now: OneLeg by Susanne Schmidt​, $44, oneleg.com.

These water-proof boots will keep your feet dry and warm. Plus, they work great in and out of the garden thanks to their comfortable ankle length and snug interior. 

Shop Now: The Original Muck Boot Company "Muck Originals" Ankle Boot, $90, zappos.com.