Hand tools are used for small scale gardening, such as planting or lifting bulbs and bedding plants - especially in confined spaces such as containers, rock gardens and raised beds.

Hand trowels are ideal for digging small holes, whilst hand forks are excellent for weeding or for lifting small plants. There are also specialised hand weeders available that have a narrow hooked blade to remove weeds from crevices such as those found between paving slabs. Hand hoes (or onion hoes) are primarily designed for weeding between onions and other closely grown plants, avoiding any damage that might be caused by a full sized hoe.

Tools with blades made from stainless steel or coated steel are easier to use and keep clean than ordinary carbon steel; however, they are more expensive.