How to transform your garden this spring and take it from so-so to stunning

Yard in need of some heavy-duty pruning? This small but mighty chainsaw is powerful enough to take down tree branches, yet weighs under 2.5 pounds. Plus, this top-seller is cordless for even more convenience. 

One Yahoo editor gave it a try, writing, "While testing the Saker, I first noticed that it was very easy to hold in one hand. I also appreciated the safety features, including a safety lock that must be pressed before the saw activates. This gave me some comfort that it wouldn't just 'go off' if I squeezed it too tight while walking between locations. It's also easier to use than something like pruning shears, which can be heavy and unwieldy and take much longer to get the same job done."

Check out our full Saker Mini Chainsaw review for more. 

For all-purpose digging, you'll want a trowel, and this traditional pick is the way to go, says Janney, who calls the handle"very comfortable." Made from ash wood, it will get smoother with time. And the stainless steel head is rust- and corrosion-resistant.

"Anything by Felco is great," says Laura Janney, a professional gardener and gardening teacher based in New Jersey. Katie Tamony, chief marketing officer and trend spotter for the plant company Monrovia, agrees: "We use Felco pruners here at the Monrovia nursery. They really last."

Pardon the pun, but a good pair of gloves will come in handy, no matter what task you're tackling. And all our experts agree that in general, there's no need to spend more than $10 on a pair. Blazek, for example, likes these $7 grippy gloves from Mud, which have a textured palm that makes them ideal for weeding and gathering debris. 

(That said, if you're feeling fancy — or looking for a nice gift for the gardener in your life — Janney likes the British brand Burgon & Ball, which sells gloves with some very pretty patterns.)

One of Amazon's top-selling rakes, this pick has an 18-inch-wide head so you can cover more ground — literally — in one go. Once you're done using it on leaves, you can spread mulch with it, says Blazek (more on that below!).

Intimidated by power washers? Consider a handheld model like this, which gets its pressure from a 21-volt battery, so it's cordless. At only 4 pounds, it's easy to carry, and the rubberized handle helps you get a good grip. Choose from six spray patterns, including a "shower" option gentle enough for many pots and even rugs.

Before she adds any kind of amendment, Tamony breaks up and loosens the soil in her garden with this pick. "It's a really handy thing to have," she says. 

Espoma's been in the gardening biz for nearly a century, and its organic fertilizers get great ratings. Peat moss, humus, limestone and crab and lobster meal provide nutrients for soil, helping flowers, trees and shrubs grow stronger roots. (Just keep in mind you'll need about four bags for every 24 square feet of garden.)

Ly recommends buying compost locally from a landscaping company. But if you're looking for bagged soil quickly, she's a fan of G&B Organics compost, which can be used for trees, shrubs, bulbs, fruits and vegetables.

Though it's a bit more expensive, Janney advises getting organic, natural mulch. "It won't break down as easy other kinds," she says. She also warns against getting dyed mulch because the color can run off into your soil. 

If you don't want to have to worry about hauling 20-pound — or heavier! — bags of mulch, compost and more around the yard, you're going to need a wheelbarrow. Tamony likes this one: Two wheels make it easier to balance, and it has a lightweight frame that can hold up to 300 pounds.

You can use this heavy-duty spade for edging and digging. "I love a wooden handle," says Janney. "Doesn’t melt in the sun (some of those soft comfortable handles do!)"

Weeding, breaking up soil, even helping to dig holes: This tool, a favorite of Blazek's, does it all. The sharp blade cuts through any kind of soil, including clay, and it has an ergonomic handle made from recycled plastic.

If you're going to get down and dirty, you need to take care of your body. At Monrovia, everyone who works in the growing fields starts their day with a 10-minute warm-up stretching session, says Tamony. Another thing that helps? A knee pad you can toss on the ground to cushion your legs, she says.

Made by Fiskars, this pad is constructed from lightweight EVA foam that won't absorb moisture. 

Plan on doing a lot of planting? Speed things up with an auger-type tool like this, which lets you dig about 2"-diameter holes while you stand. "They're perfect for planting annuals or quart perennials — you can just put them right in the ground," says Blazek. 

This handy carry-all rarely goes on sale — in fact, it often sells out at full price. It can be worn around your waist, over your shoulder or crossbody style, leaving your hands free to dance to a band at a concert, eat a tasty treat at a food festival, or cheer on your favorite sports-ball team. I'm loving this pale green style, which will add a fun pop of color to any look. 

Janney likes the modern look of TierraVerde's containers, which are made from recycled rubber, so they won't break or crack — even in freezing temperatures. This one measures 15" W x 28" H, and the matte black finish will make colorful blooms pop. Because it's lightweight, you can easily move it around.

For a sleek planter, you can't do much better than Crescent Garden. Blazek is a fan of the brand's TruDrop self-watering collection, which has an easy-to-read water level indicator, so you always know when it's time to fill 'er up again. The company promises plants can go weeks without watering thanks to this system!

They're heavier than fiber cement, but wood barrel planters have a unique, rustic look that Ly appreciates. "They're great for shrubs or any plant that takes up space," she says. This one has a 13" diameter and is made from weather-resistant acacia.  

"I'm a big believer in lightweight pots — you should be able to move them around. And they should be really simple," says Janney. Anything from Campania International's Lite line of fiberglass fits the bill, she adds. 

She recommends sticking to planters with around a 15" diameter (this one measures 13" H x 11" W x 14" D). "No need to go wider," she says.

Modern and minimalistic, these solar lights give off a warm white glow, perfect for lining a pathway. Tamony is a fan because they're so simple to install: They automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn, and the LED bulbs will never need to be replaced.

Blazek's pick lets you put a beloved tree, planter or even flag in the spotlight — without having to do much work at all. The light comes with a solar panel and mounting hardware, and it automatically turns on in the evening and off in the morning. You can adjust the brightness, handy if you have multiple flood lights and want to create a more subtle glow. 

More than anything, your garden should be a place to relax, and having hummingbirds visit your yard "is a great way to make it feel more like a garden of Eden," says Tamony. "Plus they're just so much fun to watch! We're calling them 'the glamour pollinator.'"

One of the best ways to give your feathered friends a happy place to nest is to make sure you get a birdhouse with thick walls, holes for ventilation and a sloped roof that extends off the structure to keep out rain. This little shelter, recommended by Tamony, checks all those marks — plus it's made from reclaimed wood and metal to give it a rustic, cottage-inspired look. 

Let's be honest: Patio furniture isn't exactly known for being comfortable. That's where outdoor throw pillows come into play. These cute lumbars have a sophisticated floral pattern that would look so lovely against wood or metal chairs.

"I'm always a fan of adding something for the wildlife," says Ly, who likes these puddle jumpers for attracting butterflies and birds. Perched on thin stakes, they sway with the breeze — it doesn't get more soothing!

No space for a big outdoor dining table? No worries — this bistro set suggested by Janney can squeeze onto a tight patio and both the chairs and table fold flat when they're not in use. Though they're relatively petite, the chairs are far from flimsy: They come with thick seat pads and can hold up to 400 pounds each.

Tamony uses a Ruggable in her own yard, for good reason: All of the brand's rugs are machine-washable, but their outdoor versions have a water-resistant barrier that helps them resist fading and mildew. "They have so many options that work well for the outdoors," she says.

They're on the pricier side, but Polywood furniture is worth every penny, says Ly. "I'm in Bend, OR, where we have pretty hectic weather. We leave these chairs outside all year round, and they are awesome because they don't chip, peel, fade, any of that."

Bonus: Polywood is made from recycled plastics that would otherwise go to landfills.