Gardening is relaxing, rewarding, visually appealing, and requires commitment and time. A seasoned gardener would tell you that the work is more enjoyable when you have the right tool for the job.
Have you ever tried to dig a hole with your hands? Its not very efficient, and wreaks havoc on the hands when you run into rock. Then you buy a tool to dig out that rock and at the first encounter with the formation you think ah I have this and you place your trowel into the soil to remove the stone and the handle on the trowel bends at the force or removal. Now you are back to digging the rock out by hand again. A vicious circle.
However investing in a quality trowel will ensure a symbiotic relationship between you, your hands, the soil and the rocks. It’s essential that you invest in the best garden trowel as this tool that has been around for centuries is designed to make gardening more comfortable and help you save time.
Gardening can be so much fun if you are using the right garden hand tools!
Table of Contents
What is a garden trowel used for?
A garden trowel is used by gardeners to remove weeds around plants, for planting seedlings into pots or preparing seed beds.
You can use a garden trowel to dig holes, plant bulbs, transplant, and scooping a small amount of soil.
How to maintain a garden trowel?
The number one maintenance to all shovels including a trowel is to keep it clean.
I am sure you have seen many pictures of trowels that have been left outside in the elements full of dirt that many call retro items. These items become a part of art projects and designs.
However, the main use was to dig, transplant and scoop dirt. If the trowel is full of rust this means the surface is contaminated and though it will probably scoop soil, the risk of introducing disease and infection to your soil, plant, seedlings and seeds increases greatly.
To maintain a garden trowel, you have to focus on keeping it clean, plus you have to store and organize it neatly. Lastly, you have to sharpen it too when needed.
When searching for the best garden trowel, it’s essential to be aware of certain features.
Knowing the materials used would give you an idea of whether the product would be durable or not!
For instance, the handle has to be comfortable in your hand and the blade sharp enough to dig in the dirt.
Our guide will provide product details, user experience, and research.
Tips On Buying The Best Garden Trowel
When you plan on buying a garden trowel/shovel, keep the following points in mind:
1. Make sure the materials used are of high-quality. A metal blade made from stainless steel vs. aluminum will impact the load the trowel can dig before bending and your purchase’s dollar value.
2. Durable design will ensure a long lifespan of the product. Metal will last a long time but is also heavy. Plastic, on the other hand, is light but may not have a long life span.
3. A handle with an ergonomic design will be more comfortable to use and will reduce the fatigue to your hand. If you have arthritis in your hands, look for a wider trowel rather than narrow to reduce fatigue and pain. You can check whether it’s composed of wood, metal, or plastic. If you cannot sit or crouch to utilize a short-handled trowel, opt for a long-handled trowel used when standing.
4. The handle’s length will determine how much force you will need to use to turn the dirt or dig out the plant. The longer the handle, the less power you will require. Match the handle length to your task.
In a hurry?
Our top choices are…
–Hortem 6PCS Long Garden Hand Tools
– Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens 5310KEW Stainless Steel Trowel with 40-Inch Handle
Trowel Comparison Table
| Product Name | Weight | Blade Material | Handle | Items Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MOSFiATA 14 Pcs Stainless Steel Garden Tool Kit | 1.52 kg for complete kit (3.35 lbs) | Stainless Steel | Plastic | 3 Sharp shovels S,M,L, three tine rake, weeding knife, spray bottle, tie rope, pruning shear, a small rake, three-column fork (big), carry case, grass scissor, fruit and vegetable scissor, weeder |
Hortem 6PCS Long Garden Hand Tools | About .22 kg (.5 lbs) for each tool | Durable fully heated iron | Carbon steel | 1* five-harrow(17.2inches, 0.5LB) 1* two teeth peach hoe(17.4inches, 0.59LB) 1* spade(17.5inches, 0.5LB 1* three-jaw cultivator(15.7inches, 0.44LB) 1* comfortable gardening nitrile gloves |
Spear & Jackson Kew Gardens 5310KEW Stainless Steel Trowel with 40-Inch Handle | 739.36 gr (1.63 lbs) | Stainless steel | Stainless Steel | 40 inch handle to utilize when standing |
MISAZ Stainless Steel Garden Trowel | 5.89 kg (13 lbs) | Stainless steel | Stainless Steel | One piece design |
GORILLA EASY CONNECT Heavy Duty Garden Tools, | Three pieces = 954 g (2.10 lbs) | Cast Aluminum | Cast Aluminum | Hand Trowel, Transplant Trowel and Cultivator Hand Rake |
Cate’s Garden Garden Transplanter | 45 grams (.09 lb) | Stainless steel | Ash Wood | Gradation marks allows you to measure soil depth in inches. |
