There’s a small cluster of tools that a gardener – no matter how serious (or not) they are about what they’re doing – needs to have. At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious (and in the full knowledge that they’re probably not classed as tools) pots are most certainly one. Secateurs are probably another. A trowel is also up there too – and it is, I think, better to invest a little time and money in picking a good one now rather than ending up with a handle that has bent and broken off in a week’s time.
This little guide is purposefully concise. We’ve picked five great trowels, and provided a link if you want to buy them. We’ve included a little bit of general advice at the end too if you’re interested. Whatever your price point or personal preference, if you go with a model listed here you’ll almost certainly be happy for years to come.
1. Wilcox 14” Garden Trowel
The single-piece, stainless steel trowel slices through dirt like a soil knife but scoops a better-than-average amount of soil.
The Wilcox 14” Garden Trowel penetrates the soil and slices roots better than any other trowel. Its stainless steel blade will last forever with occasional sharpening, the sharp tip makes digging fast and easy, and its wide blade puts soil where you want it quickly. The long, continuous piece of steel provides better leverage than shorter trowels, and gives it a nearly indestructible level of durability.
You can get this Product from HERE.
2. A.M. Leonard Classic Stainless Steel Soil Knife
This sharp, serrated soil knife cuts through soil like butter, but doesn’t scoop well.
If you can’t find the Wilcox, try the A.M. Leonard Soil Knife. It looks like a scuba knife, but it slices through soil, not moray eels. When compared with a trowel, it’s better at penetrating the soil, snapping thick roots like toothpicks, and fitting in your hand. It isn’t quite as great at cutting through hair roots or scooping soil, though.
You can get this Product from HERE.
3. Coghlan's Backpackers Trowel
For bulk buys, this super lightweight plastic trowel was sharper than most we tested, but won’t last like solid stainless steel.
For the budget buyer, we recommend Coghlan’s Backpackers Trowel, a 3-ounce orange plastic trowel that gives you roughly the level of performance you’d expect at this price. It’s a standout because during testing its blade proved sharper than half the trowels in my sample, and it’s stronger and more durable than you’d expect.
For the 2015 update, we tested 11 additional trowels, but nothing beat our previous picks. The Wilson Garden Trowel is also $8 cheaper than it was when we first published this guide.
You can get this Product from HERE.
5. Fiskars Ergo Trowel Garden Tool
We like Fiskars. They’re a good brand and their products are usually of a superb quality (such as their secateurs). Their “Ergo Scratch” trowel is no different. The padded handle, made from moulded plastic, is very comfortable and the blade is also a joy to use doe to its comparatively greater width.
The one issue is that it is made from aluminium, and there have been some complaints about the handle snapping after heavy use. Others swear that they’ve used it consistently in tough conditions without any issues. What you have to bear in mind, however, is the price. For a piece of this quality, it’s an absolute steal.
You can get this Product from HERE.
6. DeWit X-Treme Hand Trowel, Small
For those who prefer the traditional look, the lifetime-guaranteed DeWit trowel is a beautiful choice. It’s made in Holland with what’s called boron steel, a type of carbon steel which has boron added for greater strength. What this means in practical terms is that the trowel is particularly resistant to both abrasions and bending.
The one drawback is that, because it’s not made from stainless steel, it can rust if it’s left in the presence of moisture for long periods of time. Regular oiling and good storage however should prevent this from happening. The wooden long handle also feels great.
You can get this Product from HERE.