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Having a quality trowel on hand when you work in your flower beds or gardens can make the digging process easier. You'll be able to get the depth you need for your plants to grow and thrive. But, choosing the best trowels can be difficult. This is especially true if you're new to gardening.
We've put together a list of the top five trowels available. This review will give you a good idea of what to look for when you shop.
The 5 Best gardening Trowels - Reviews
Most Affordable: Edward Tools Transplanter Trowel
Edward Tools makes 3 interesting claims for this trowel that I really wanted to challenge. They promised that the handle with palm rest is very comfortable to grip and hold. They also boast that this tool won’t rust even if you leave it in the rain all day.
Now this third part’s funny. They actually say:
Bend proof aluminum - If you find a way to somehow bend this transplanter trowel we will replace it.
Well, guess what? This trowel passed all three claims with flying colors.
Pros
Blade is made from rust and corrosion-free aluminum; strong and bend-proof
Handle is big but comfortable
Blade has a depth guide for planting bulbs and perennials
Lifetime warranty
Cons
Edges of the blade isn’t sharp enough for packed soil
Best Trake: Tierra Garden 901105
If you use both a trowel and a rake in one sitting, then you probably should get a trake for convenience. A trake is a gardening tool that is a rake on one end and a trowel on the other. Because of its unique design, it is longer than regular trowels. It is 17 inches in length.
The Tierra Garden trake is made from die-cast alloy while the handle has a non-slip vinyl coating. It looked uncomfortable to grip out of the box but it was surprisingly comfortable upon use. The thumb rest definitely helps.
Pros
Dual function; it’s both a rake and a trowel in one tool
Very flexible; great for digging out dirt, weeding, and cultivating
Has depth measurements on the blade
Also works for digging out rocks
Cons
If you use this on hard soil or over-leverage it, the tip will break off
The green coloring of the handle makes it hard to find in the grass (until I spray-painted mine a bright neon)
Best Heavy Duty Trowel: Edward Tools Carbon Steel
Having ordered this online, I was surprised when it came. It was bigger yet lighter than I expected.
While most of my picks ended up having aluminum blades, this Edward Tools garden trowel has a carbon steel blade. While there are claims that it is rust-proof, carbon steel DOES rust so you still shouldn’t be leaving this out in the damp or in the rain for indefinite periods.
Performance-wise, this is a heavy duty trowel given its big size and strong blade. It can cut through sod, clay, and hard soil.
Pros
Big-sized heavy duty trowel made from carbon steel
Handle is made out of soft rubber
Has depth markings that are useful for transplanting or metal detecting
The top of the handle has a hole that makes it easy to hang on a nail or a peg
Cons
Not my personal experience but a handful of buyers complained of their trowels bending
Best Ergonomic Trowel: Radius Garden 101
At first glance, you can already see what makes this trowel unique. It has a curved handle cushioned by rubber coating. This curved handle is ergonomic in design. It minimizes stress on your wrist and hands when gardening. With the blade being a lightweight aluminim, this makes it ideal for those suffering from wrist pain, carpal tunnel, or arthritis.
Just a bit of trivia: the curved handle design is patented and has won awards.
It comes in six different bright color choices. These colors make it easy to see when you set it down in the dirt or grass. The blade is made out of high-quality aluminum. Aluminum is designed to be resistant to rust and corrosion as well as breakage.
The edges curve upward to prevent the soil from sliding back off the sides of the trowel. It features a lifetime warranty against damage and defects.
Pros
Features an ergonomic curved handle
Blade is made out of aluminum; lightweight yet sturdy
The extra-long blade makes it ideal for transplanting bulbs and plants
There are depth markings on the blade
Good reviews from buyers
Cons
Trowel is slightly off balanced
Does not have very sharp edges
Best Overall: Homegrown Garden Tools Trowel
You'll get a one-piece trowel when you purchase this product. The blade and handle are one solid piece of polished aluminum. This design prevents weak joints or attachment points. Additionally, aluminum is resistant to rust and corrosion, even in wet conditions. The blade comes to a slight point that allows you to dig into the soil. The edges are slightly curved.
The handle is large. It is designed to give you a good grip with ridged areas for your fingers and a rubber palm rest. You'll get bright green striping that makes this trowel easy to see in a dark shed or closet. The hole on the end is reinforced, and you can hang it up to store it without worrying about it wearing out. This trowel comes in a small burlap sack that is perfect for storage purposes.
Pros
Very durable because it is full tang and when you hold the handle, you are holding the shaft
Handle is ergonomic and feels good in your hand; good choice for those with arthritic fingers
Blade is made out of aluminum
Has depth markings for setting seeds and bulbs come planting time
Value for money; affordable and holds up well
Has genuine reviews and buyers are very happy with their purchase
Cons
No serrated edge which other gardeners might like
May be too large for smaller hands
Too wide for smaller pots
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