Last week, the temperature here in central Illinois was in the mid 70’s. Then two days ago, it got cold – down to 32 degrees. Oh, on one hand, it was glorious! Sweaters, hot coffee or hot chocolate, brisk walks, leaves falling all warmed the soul. On the other hand, coming into the colder season can really put a damper on my spirits. This year, I’m trying to look at fall and winter as my planning season. I’m going to plan for next year’s activities and work on cultivating skills that I can do inside where it’s warmer.
So one of the lists that I’m putting together for next year has to do with hand tools that I want to keep on hand and in working order to augment my family’s self-sufficiency. But if we are looking at our outdoor work from a preparedness point of view, what outdoor tools do we need to provide a self-sufficient environment for our families both now, in times of relative ease, as well as in the future during times of possible difficulty?
I have ten suggestions for you to help your family live a more self-sufficient lifestyle outdoors. None of the items on this list will be power tools for two reasons. One reason for this is for the best cost. I don’t know about you, but life just seems to be getting more and more expensive lately. We’re looking for ways to cut costs at our house. Quality tools are not a place to chintz, but quality non-power tools are going to be so much more frugal. The second reason I am giving you non-power tools so that in the case of a power outage you always have tools that will serve you well.
1.) Hand Tiller
If you plan on planting in the ground as opposed to raised beds, this is the best alternative to a rototiller. When we planted our small starter garden this year, we used this version. It is sturdy and pulled out existing weed roots with relative ease. The handle is padded, so my hands didn’t get blistered. It made planting my plants much easier than when I tried just to use a trowel. The only caveat that I feel I need to give is that we didn’t use it on a clay-filled soil.
2.) Trowel
Whether you garden in a raised bed or right in the ground, you need a quality trowel to plant your plants, to dig appropriate holes in the ground. I highly recommend a type of ‘trowel’ called a Hori Hori. It is used to dig, but has a serrated edge to cut roots around the item that you are wanting to plant. It’s incredibly sturdy and doesn’t bend.
3.) Hoe 
If you are growing bushes or gardening in the ground, the easiest way to weed your garden in with a hoe. You can weed while standing up and while your back may ache more than if you didn’t work in your garden, it will ache a whole lot less than if you had to be on your hands and knees for hours on end digging up weeds.
4.) Pick Ax
When you need to break up clumps of hardened, dried earth, you won’t be able to use a hand tiller. This is just what you need to do the job. It will also break up concrete and ice. In the middle ages, it was even used as a weapon. I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of that.
5.) Shovel 
Different shovels have different purposes. I found an awesome article on 8 different types of shovels. Pick the type(s) that you think you’ll need and get yourself a good shovel or two or three according to your purposes and needs (current and anticipated). We recently purchased what was billed as “The World’s Best Shovel.” And I tell you, I believe it! The difference a quality tool makes in how easy or how hard the work can be in HUGE.
6.) Wheelbarrow
Whether it’s hauling wood up to the house or hauling compost to your raised beds or moving heavy objects like rocks. A wheelbarrow is essential to a lifestyle of outdoor self-sufficiency.
7.) Saw
I don’t know about your family, but in my family, we can’t keep outdoor tools intact and with good reason. We have FIVE – count ’em, one, two, three, four, FIVE children. I love ’em! Sometimes, I want to spit nails at them too. Two of my wonderful kids in particular who like to build and design, and use my (well, really mostly my husband’s) tools. So when we go to need them, they are GONE! Like kaput. And with the question of, “Who used the saw?” the answer is always the same: “Not me.” Unfortunately, “Not me” does a lot around my house. Well, we recently had to purchase a new saw because “Not me” left our old one out in the rain after using it for a period of time. This is the new one we’ve settled on and we’re fairly pleased so far.
8.) Ax 
Our former ax was also a victim of “Not me.” When we looked for a new ax, we were looking for something sturdy, easy to swing and hence lightweight, but really strong that wouldn’t shatter or bend even with use. We settled on this one. It’s been really good for us. Also, we are parents wised up, most of our tools (including our ax new reside in our walk-in closet. We will be fitting the door with a lock shortly. Hopefully, we’ll outsmart “Not me.”
9.) Wood Splitting Wedge
If you are going to provide your family with firewood, a splitting wedge is something that will make your life easier.
10.) Gloves
If you are going to work out in the yard, you need two different kinds of gloves to preserve the integrity of your skin on your hands – no one likes to be covered in blisters – unless you’re just a bit out there. I recommend two different types of gloves – garden gloves and work gloves. Since they have two different purposes, they won’t work interchangeably. Well, they probably would, but it would be a tad frustrating to try to garden in work gloves with their stiff fingers. Trust me on this one. Get two different types.
What About You?
What outdoor tools do you keep on hand in good order for your family? What are your favorite brands to use? Share with us in the comments so that we can all be better prepared!
Together let’s Love, Learn, Practice, and Overcome
There are links in this post. Some of the links may be affiliate links. Some of the links may not be. My promise to you is that I will only recommend the most economical version of the best quality of items to serve you. These are the items that I have bought for my own family. You can feel free to use my affiliate links, of which I will get a small amount in compensation, or you can choose to search out your products on your own.
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Chainsaw with extra chains,m 1 gallon bar oil, sharpening file, plenty of mixed gas 20 gallons could last you a year.
Good list!
We keep post hole diggers, lopping shears, pitchforks along with bow saws and shovels. Post hole diggers make quick work of planting bushes and fruit trees. We also use the
t post driver and puller frequently to move a fence or keep edible plants safe from the goats!
I never thought about post hole diggers to plant trees, but it makes perfect sense! Thanks for sharing!
I bought a new claw tree branch cutter with adjustable long handles. I don’t know the official name for it. We have our own very large tree in our backyard & a park a block away that is loaded with trees in a severe emergency situation. We have other ways to heat our home & lots of other ways to cook our food so cutting branches would be the last thing on our list.
That’s a great suggestion! Thanks Maureen!
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