"buy cheap, buy twice" as the saying goes - actually, I prefer my Father's version "The best quality is the cheapest" - as it doesn't imply that you have to buy the most expensive. If you can get well used, well worn, and tools with good "balance" from a local auction that may give you best value for money
Particularly with spade and fork as they take a lot of energy to use, and good quality ones are a lot less hard work. For heavy clay Stainless Steel will stick less, but they can be brittle and break. A really good edge, that you can sharpen, and a wall paper scraper / pallet knife to clean it, may be a better bet on clay.
Roughly in order of importance (and partly culled from a search of similar threads
):
Spade and Fork - some people prefer a Mattlock type (e.g.
Azada), but I think you walk backwards on the soil you have just worked. I quite like heart-shaped head with long handle (which I know of as a Cornish shovel). Possibly a
Shovel too (edges are curled up to stop material sliding off the sides)
Seed
rake (solid tines)
Swoe or Dutch
hoe is good for weeding, swan-neck / draw hoe for earthing up
multi-pronged
cultivator to break up the ground
Spring-tine
rake - for leaves, grass and debris
secateurs (Felco - get ones that fit your hand well, rather than something online that you cannot try-before-buy)
dibber - and old broken handle is ideal
bulb planter - need something that is not too flimsy, I stupidly bought one "cheap" that was on sale and it lasted a single parsnip-planting session! may only be useful if you are growing in pots to transplant, may also be useful to make deep holes for parsnips and fill with sand / compost. Crowbar may do instead.
hand
trowel - get one that is comfortable for your hand. They often need quite a lot of vertical energy to make planting hole
2-gallon / 10L
watering can and/or a hosepipe. Possible "leaky hose" too (put along the row and water dribbles out)
wheelbarrowriddle / sievetrug for harvesting
string
line with a reel - or a couple of sticks to wind it on
Sprayer for insecticide, another for weedkiller if you need it (don't share them)
brush maybe?
planting stick usually a bit of 2" x 2" with saw marks on each side at various intervals to make equidistant planting out easy
penknife - I find a Swiss army knife best as although I use the blade most often the other bits come in handy now-&-again
Greenhouse buy the biggest you can afford - set up a search on ebay / Freecycle as it may take a while before opportunity presents itself.
Accessories:
Thermos FlaskGardening glovesweatherproofs and wellies - although I prefer steel-toe-capped work/safety boots
Deck
chair / sun lounger
ShedPaint them all some ghastly shade of pink to reduce the chance that they "walk"
Sowing and planting plan - when to do what.