9 green tools for a bountiful spring garden

Don't let the frozen ground fool you: Spring will come again, and when it does, will you be ready? Ready to garden that is. Growing one's own food, herbs, and flowers can be extremely rewarding, not to mention a great way to save money. If you're thinking about starting a garden this Spring, it's important to have all the necessary equipment on hand long before the first seedling goes into the ground. To help you achieve a successful harvest, we've rounded up 9 of our favorite <a href="http://inhabitat.com/5-handy-green-gardening-tools-made-from-recycled-materials/" target="_blank">eco-friendly gardening tools</a>. If you have a favorite green gardening gadget that belongs on this list, please tell us about it in the comments!

<h3> 1. Upcycled seeds starters</h3> The most economical way to grow food is to start from seed, but you can't just throw those little guys directly into the ground. A month or two before you want to begin your Spring garden, it's time to sprout your seedlings in a protected environment. Forget the wasteful plastic seed starter flats you see at Home Depot and <a href="http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-seed-starting-pots-made-from-recycled-materials.html" target="_blank">upcycle your own seed starting pots using this LifeHacker post</a> as your guide.

<h3>2. Bambu Garden Tools</h3> Bambu, a company well-known for making household essentials out of quick-growing bamboo, recently expanded into the gardening genre. These natural and <a href="http://www.bambuhome.com/collections/garden" target="_blank">hand-crafted gardening supplies</a> include a solid bamboo fork and trowel set, along with bamboo gardening stakes. The tools are extremely light and shaped to fit your hand, making them a joy to use.

<h3>3. Gardening Gloves</h3> We romanticize the notion of "getting your hands in the dirt" but really that's only fun for a minute. After scrubbing and picking soil out from under your finger nails just once, you'll be searching for some quality gardening gloves. We're particularly fond of these recycled plastic mesh gloves by <a href="http://1800recycling.com/2013/03/recycled-gardening-gloves-west-county-gardener" target="_blank">West County Gardener</a> and these bamboo fiber (biodegradable, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal) <a href="http://www.gogreensgloves.com/" target="_blank">all-purpose gloves by Go Greens</a>.

<h3>3. Soaker Hose</h3> Irrigation is essential to any garden's success, but sprinklers and hoses are notoriously wasteful. First of all, they deposit the water on top of the plants and soil, meaning much is lost to evaporation. You're not trying to water the entire world, just give your plants a drink, right? The best way to do that is to deliver the water right to the roots using <a href="http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/soaker-hoses" target="_blank">a soaker hose</a> that's buried just under the surface.

<h3>4. Cork Flower Pots</h3> Planning a container garden? <a href="http://inhabitat.com/eco-chic-corkit-flower-pots-are-made-from-recycled-wine-corks/" target="_blank">Corkits are recycled cork pots</a> that are great for small plants such as herbs, spices, and flowers. The pots’ cork construction makes them antibacterial, extremely durable, reusable, and sustainable. And each Corkit pack ships with seeds, coir soil and a flowerpot with an optional drainage hole!

<h3>5. Recycled Plastic Rain Barrel</h3> Another easy way to conserve water in your Spring garden is to collect rain water. You could just set a bunch of buckets around in your backyard, or you could use one of these stylish <a href="http://www.hayneedle.com/outdoor/rain-barrels_recycled-plastic-rain-barrels_list_181945_4295132513" target="_blank">recycled plastic rain barrels</a> instead. When it rains, water flows from your gutter through a screen and into the barrel. Then when it comes time to water, the included spigots make it easy to attach your hose and give your plants a drink without using a drop of municipal water.

<h3>6. Upcycled Herb Garden Markers</h3> Once your seeds have sprouted it will be time to think about laying your Spring garden into the ground. When they're small, lots of plants look the same, which is why you'll need to label the rows or pots to keep track of what's what. These <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/89063850/herb-garden-markers-set-of-7" target="_blank">upcycled herb garden markers</a> we found on Etsy are possibly the cutest way to stay organized.

<h3>7. Eco Garden Tote</h3> When heading out for a weeding or pruning session in your Spring garden, it can be hard to carry everything you need. To eliminate unnecessary trips back and forth from garden to shed or garage, stash all your tools in these <a href="https://thehungersite.greatergood.com/store/ths/item/40713/eco-garden-tote" target="_blank">garden totes from The Huger Site</a>. Made out of recycled rice and feed bags by female artisans in Cambodia, they help reduce waste and poverty.

<h3>8. DIY Watering Globes</h3> If you're planning a container garden for your porch or balcony, watering becomes an even more important issue. Unlike plants in the ground, water can collect in the bottom of containers, rotting the roots and killing your harvest. Protect against over-watering by upcycling your own self-watering globes that dispense water as the plants need it. Use this <a href="http://radmegan.blogspot.com/2011/02/coke-bottle-watering-globes.html" target="_blank">handy tutorial by Rad Megan</a> to get started.