The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchaseDepending on what part of the country you're in, springtime is by now more or less winning the fightto reclaim thebackyard.The grass might still be dead and the flowers mightyet have to bud, but you are, once again, at least pretty sure that spring will happen.It's agood time to get outside and enjoy the outdoors, which is easier if they are not all the same color of brown.For many, more time outsidemeans an uptick in gardening. Which makes sense, since right nowis a particularlyideal time to plant seeds for those recipes you might like to cook in the summer, only having to go out onto the porch for thearugula or tomatoesneeded.Homegrown produce appeals to many because a) it's satisfying to grow your own food, b) it's as fresh at it gets, and c) it means that you're pretty much first and last on the production line, so you'll know exactly what went intogrowing them.The sooner your veggies and fruitsget growing, the longer you'll be able to enjoy them.Even at the bare minimum, maintaininga good-looking backyard can be harder than it sounds, and many of us appreciate a little extra help. Whether that entails enlistinga miraculousfertilizer or a really good weed wacker, the tools we turn to goa long way in savingus time ormaybe even compensatingfor skill.Below are a few of the essentials that will jump-start your yard back into the land of the living, so you don't have to wait for nature to take its course ' just in case nature isn't askind as you're hoping.DON'T MISS:Everyone can extend the shelf life of their fruits and vegetables with this simple kitchen toolSEE ALSO:5 must-have apps for people who love the outdoorsTraditional fertilizerThere's a reason even someone who has never seen a garden before has likely still heard of Miracle-Gro. Thishousehold name will feed your plants the nutrients they need to grow bigger and more luscious than if they're left to sort through whatever is available in the backyard right now.Every 1-2 weeks, simplypour some of the mixture into a Garden Feeder or watering can and use on any plants indoors or outside. It'll only take a few minutes, and you'll get much better results.Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food, available in a range of sizes from $3.99-$27.99Pruning shearsFor how popular of a pastime gardening is, it shouldn't come as a surprise that many of these tools are rated enthusiastically and in high volume, but it still seems unusual that these best-selling pruning shears have almost 2,000 reviews and 4.4 stars.They're ideal for cutting away stems and lighter branches, and the company claims that the fully hardened, precision-ground steel blade stays sharp even after repeated use. There's a low-friction coating to help the blade avoid catching when cutting through wood, and it'll also help prevent the blade from gumming up with sap and also resist rusting. There's evena lifetime warranty.Fiskars Traditional Bypass Pruning Shears, $15.59Gardening glovesFor anyone who'sever been viciously poked by a branch or thistles, gardening gloves are one of the cheapest and longest-lasting ways to improve the chances of you enjoying gardening.This best-selling pair is one of the most inexpensive available, but the soft and breathable bamboo will keep your hands cool while you work in the hotter weather, and they're light and flexible enough to not annoy you with fingers that feel thick and fumbling. You'll avoid dirty nails, being poked by thistles or roguebranches, and give yourself a fighting chance at really enjoyingyour gardening chores.As a bonus, bamboo is a natural product grown without the aid of pesticides and fertilizers, so while you're tending to the health of your backyard, you're also minding the environment itself. There's also a 100% satisfaction guarantee or you can get your money back, which makes an inexpensive and convenient purchase much easier to commit to.Pine Tree Tools Unisex Working Gloves, $6.99See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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