Whether you are gardening for the first time this season or a seasoned professional, having the right tool can make any garden chore easier.

A trip down the garden tool aisle can be a bit overwhelming, though, and some of the tools your grandparents swore by have been improved over time. Here are some tips for selecting the essentials or improving your collection.

Bypass pruners

Bypass pruners vary from anvil pruners by cutting with a scissor-like motion. Recognize them by their curved, sharpened blade that presses next to a unsharpened hook. Anvil pruners have straight blades and can damage plant tissue as they squeeze whatever they are cutting. Bypass pruners also make a cleaner and more precise cut than anvil pruners. When selecting brand, look for something that fits your hand well and has high-quality construction. A good pair of pruners can last a lifetime!

Felco and Corona brands have long been considered the industry standard, but Fiskars, ARS and Bahco have a couple of models that are becoming increasingly popular.

Trowel or soil knife

Great for transplanting and popping out stubborn weeds, many gardeners experiment with a few different handheld digging devices before finding one they prefer. Soil knives, also known as Hori-Hori knives are popular for a reason, making it easier to break into hard soil and cut through stubborn roots than with a trowel. Spend a little money on this one for a more durable tool. Stainless steel and carbon steel blades are the most reliable.

Round-point shovel

Square-point shovels; long, rectangular bladed shovels; square, flat shovels; and even roofing shovels all have their place, but a round-point has the most versatility for a variety of gardening chores. Look for one with enough weight to do some of the work for you and a solid connection to the handle.

Garden rake

Garden rakes have short, strong tines and are either level across the top or have a bow shape to connect to the handle. They are essential for leveling and moving soil, mulch and compost into garden beds and for moving heavy debris out. Although tempting to select a lightweight model, a heavier one will do more of the work for you. Look for something with a solid handle and a solid connection between the handle and the rake itself.

Leaf rake

This is one tool where selection is easier if you know exactly what chores you will be performing with it. If you plan to rake large expanses of fallen leaves, select a wide, lightweight (probably plastic) model. If you plan to use the rake to get leaves and debris out from between shrubs, buildings or other tight spaces, you will want a narrower and perhaps heavier-duty model. Metal tines are the most durable and more adaptable to narrow spaces than plastic. They will also hold up with heavy leaf piles. Another option is bamboo, but the tines tend to break more easily than plastic or metal.

Telescoping rakes and children’s rakes can also be convenient for getting between shrubs, and ergonomic options can save your wrists and back.

— Jennifer Smith is a former horticulture extension agent for K-State Research and Extension and horticulturist for Lawrence Parks and Recreation. She is the host of “The Garden Show” and has been a gardener since childhood. Send your gardening questions and feedback to features@ljworld.com.