10 Old-School Gardening Tools Cowboys Used That We Still Rely On Today

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When you imagine life in the Wild West, the first things that come to mind probably aren't gardening tools. It's more likely to be sinewy mustang horses, leather chaps, and perhaps the kitchen essentials that cowboys commonly carried on the trail, like cast iron pots and pans. Their life wasn't easy. They often spent far more time on the move, herding cattle from place to place, than at home. For the most part, their work didn't really overlap with that of farmers. Despite all of this, there's a surprising amount of crossover between modern gardeners and old-school cowboys. Many of the tools cowboys historically used — think rope, fencing pliers, troughs, gloves, hats for sun protection, and many more — are just as useful today.

The interesting thing about many of these tools is how their purposes have remained the same or changed over the centuries. Since cowboys were always on the move, they didn't have space to carry an arsenal of specialized tools for every situation. Instead, they had tools that served multiple purposes, and it's because of this versatility that their tools have not only survived into the modern day but also been adopted by gardeners. Some old-school cowboy tools still do the same job they've always done, while gardeners have adapted others to contemporary needs. Though the West isn't anywhere near as wild as it used to be, you can still connect with this rugged era through the tools you use in your garden.

Fencing pliers were originally used by cowboys to repair or cut fencing wire as needed. While they are still used to manage these agricultural barriers today, they are also useful in the gardens.  You can, for example, use them to cut and bend metal trellis wire for your tomato patch. Since they have a large, flat, metal head, you can use them as a hammer in a pinch. Fencing pliers also come in handy for removing nails or staples when you're tackling an affordable backyard DIY to reuse those old wooden pallets.

Anyone who works outside regularly needs something to protect them from the rain, which is where this wearable tool comes in. The slickers worn by cowboys were long enough to cover almost their entire body, even when riding on a horse. Nowadays, there are many styles of slickers — including ponchos, rain jackets, bibs, and more — to suit your specific needs and keep you in your garden despite worsening weather. It just makes sense to store this item in your entryway closet so that you can grab it on your way into the garden on a rainy day.

Fire is widely considered one of the greatest human tools, so it's no surprise that this life-giving resource was as important to cowboys as it is to gardeners. Just as cowboys carried flint and tinder, most gardeners have a fire starter in their tool shed — ferro rods and lighters are modern equivalents. Of course, not every gardener will use fire in their yard, but for some people, burning weeds (which, it's worth noting, is illegal in some areas of the U.S.) or having a fire pit is essential. Plus, wood ash can be an excellent soil amendment.

You can't talk about cowboys without mentioning their hats. Cowboys didn't just wear hats because they looked cool. The wide brim helped to protect the wearer from rain, sun, and wind. Nowadays, people often wear them as part of their personal style. However, these, or any other wide-brimmed hats, are also incredibly useful tools in the garden. The brim keeps a gardener's face and neck protected from harsh UV rays as they work. Today, straw is the most common material for gardening hats — the woven design cools the head — though felt is the traditional material for cowboy hats.

Cowboys rarely went anywhere without rope, fishing line, and leather string. They deployed these tools in all sorts of ways, from stringing items together for easy carrying to catching their dinner. While modern gardeners don't use rope, line, and string in the same way as cowboys did, they remain indispensable in the garden. For example, you can use garden twine to DIY a strong garden trellis on a budget with items you may already own, fishing line to create patio decorations, and rope to tie plants to supports. Bonus: You can often compost natural rope or twine.

Cowboys used stock tanks to keep their herds hydrated while they were on the move. If you're a homesteader with farm animals, you probably have a few water-filled troughs scattered about your property already. Gardeners, however, have gotten really creative with these huge metal bins, transforming them into wildlife ponds, rain barrels, or compost bins. You can also use cattle troughs as raised beds for herbs, vegetables, and ornamentals. Raised beds are perfect for older adults or those with limited mobility who struggle to bend down, and they're also ideal for yards with poor soil.

A wearable tool that cowboys of old and gardeners today use in similar ways is the handkerchief, now often called a bandana or wild rag. Tied around the neck, these large squares of cotton fabric block the sun, protect you from dust, and keep you warm on cold days. You can also wear a handkerchief around your head to stop sweat dripping into your eyes. They also come in handy as plant ties, garden tool handle comfort grips, wipes for dirt-covered hands, or even handmade bunting to decorate a patio for a special occasion.

Gloves are another tool you may find yourself wearing, just like a cowboy. These tools help keep your hands protected from thorns, splinters, and hard earth. Even today, leather gardening gloves are regularly used because of their durability. However, there are many different materials, so you can choose the best gardening gloves for every job. While you may not be having to handle branding irons, or worry about rope burns, thorns, sharp tools, and rough rocks can all damage your hands. In these cases, you want to have a pair of gloves handy. 

A knife has been a handy tool in most cultures for a really long time. Cowboys used knives to open cans, prepare food, cut leather, and defend themselves, among many other uses. Gardeners likely won't be using a knife like this. We live in safer times, and we have utensils for most of these needs. However, including a knife in your garden tool set isn't a bad idea. You can use it to cut open bags of compost or potting mix, plant seeds and seedlings, and pull up weeds. You can also trim plants, take cuttings, and harvest fruit.

Cowboys used to carry digging bars for building and repairing livestock fences. These hefty tools are just as useful in the garden today, though the modern equivalents look a little different from the pointed or flat-ended steel rods of old. The Moosefield 2-in-1 Post Hole Digging and Tamping Tool is a good example of something a gardener may use to install a wildlife barrier around a garden bed, dig rocks out of a lawn, or turn a compost pile. You can even use a digging bar to break the ice on a backyard pond.