Tools of the trade

I keep the basic essential tools when gardening, but it occurred to me as I sit here reminiscing on the beginning and I thought I'd spend a few words on basics just in case a beginner gardener should happen to read my humble contributions.

If you are an advanced gardener and happen to see something that should be included feel free to add a comment.  :)  The more the merrier.

Basic Tools

1. Gloves.   Even though it is tempting to sink your fingers into the soil and revel...you'll spend countless minutes digging dirt out from under your fingers, not to mention encountering the unexpected worm isn't as much fun...and that's not counting any other stickerly stuff...or spiders...and depending on where you live fire ants...enough said.
2. Spade...and Shovel...rake...hoe (depending on the area you are gardening).
3. Liquid fertilizer...if you grow roses, there are different fertilizers.
4. Pots & Pot trays :)
5. Dirt.  (Again depending on what you are growing there are different types...miracle grow is the most popular brand, most soils these days have some fertilizer in them.)
6. Water mister bottles (less than 12 oz) - this is useful to have for home made remedies for buggies.  
• Some plants are sensitive about having water hit their leaves so despite the idea of spraying your plants instead of watering them...it may cause some plants more bad than good.
• It is usually difficult to do a good job sitting there with a tiny little bottle of water when what plants usually need is a nice soak once or twice a week/month depending...but you may have more patience than me
7. Cutters...scissors will only be sufficient for very small plants or herbs...beyond that you need the ability to cut dead/yellowed/browned pieces off.   Roses especially need dead heading for the plant to keep growing. 
• sometimes this is hard to do because you sometimes have to cut the plant down to a twig to give it a chance to recover....but just think if you have something that is beyond saving all it's doing is taking the nutrients and water away from the remaining living plant and it will eventually weaken the plant and kill it.
• an Oregon historical rose gardener once told me the best pruning method for rose bushes is to treat them like teacups, and make sure the middle of the plants with plenty of space in them for wind and sunshine to reach all around it and give the plant a big hug....this is harder for me to do than trimming away dead parts...chopping live green growing limbs...but it does allow for a healthy bush overall...from my experience.
8. Patience.
9. Perseverance.
10. A sense of joy.
11. Hard work/sweat/tears.
12. Watering can/hose.

Happy Gardening!