Sooner or later, people think about how to get closer to nature and start their own garden. This type of activity brings many benefits, such as improving physical condition and health, providing good exercise, relieving stress, and obtaining quality products. Starting gardening is quite simple; you just need good soil, seeds, water and the sun. However, having a good implement can significantly improve your hobby, as the best garden trowel is able to help you cope with different tasks.
In this article, we will consider the advantages and disadvantages of this tool, and the best way to use it. It is a small spade that can have different widths, depending on your preferences or needs. After a comparative rating, you can choose the garden hand trowel that will meet all your demands.



- Durability of material provides long work
- Small and easy to handle
- Suitable for all types of work



- Rust-proof resistant
- Suitable for all types of gardening tasks
- High quality material



- Eco-friendly option
- Multifunctional use
- Sturdy construction



- Universal use for all types of hobbies
- Compact size
- Relatively low price



- Perfect for small indoor plants
- Can be used on rocky soil
- Does not rust since it has no steel



- Suitable for many garden tasks
- Sharp tip for deep digging
- Easy light shape



- Comfortable handle relieves hand fatigue
- High strength
- Comfortable grip



- One of the most durable trowels
- Can be used in all kinds of gardening
- High quality material



- Sharp blade
- Suitable for people with weak arms or arthritis
- Optimal performance in all soil conditions



- Very sharp blades
- Perfectly copes with all types of soil and roots
- Durable and easy to use



- Good price / quality ratio
- Convenient tip for extra work
- Perfect for professional gardeners



- Strong and resistant to various types of work
- Rubber grip reduces hand damage
- Solid one piece design for comfort gardening



- Size perfect for ease of use
- Strong enough material for working with soil
- Comfortable wide surface



- Good shape, size and balance
- Can be used not only in garden but in other fields as well
- Sharp edge for digging in the soil



- Solid shovel material works well with solid soil
- Lightweight
- Cuts through dirt easily
Key features to choose the right garden trowel
A garden trowel is one of the most popular tools for working on a homestead plot. It can greatly facilitate gardening, thanks to its advantages. But for quality use, it is necessary to consider important features when choosing a trowel.
What makes a garden trowel the best among others? What material should it be made of? To pick the best quality garden trowel, we should look at multiple characteristics.
What material is best?
Firstly, steel, aluminum or plastic can be used in the manufacture of garden trowels.
- Stainless steel trowels are specially designed for heavy-duty digging and are perfect for hard or rocky ground. They are excellent for complicated tasks and have high durability.
- Aluminum trowels are lightweight and they’re very easy to work with. They’re great for soil cultivation with small effort. Most aluminum trowels have a one-piece structure that increases their blade strength and makes them more durable.
- Plastic trowels are a good choice for those who do not want to spend a lot of cash. They’re ultra-light but can be very durable. They are an ideal pick for backpackers who don’t want to carry heavy tools around.
The shape and size is essential
Secondly, consider blade shape and width. There are multiple options. If the blade is narrow and slim, it’s easier to remove stubborn harmful weeds and dig the ground deeper. However, if you need to dig a lot of soil at the same time and transplant flowers and plants, a wide blade is more preferable to use or we recommend that you look yard rake.
Now, let’s look at the handle. A trowel handle should be comfortable and have an ergonomic design so your wrist won’t hurt after a long shift in the garden. The one with a rubber palm rest can also reduce pressure on your wrist. If you are going to use the trowel for heavy-duty gardening, turn attention to a curved or padded handle that would be sturdy and comfortable to use.
The length of the handle matters, too: a short one makes it easy to scoop out a flower or a plant, but a longer one can give you extra pressure to work with hard or rocky gound. We would also recommend choosing a handle with a hole on the end so it’s easy to hang up in your gardening shed.
You may also consider going with a very colourful handle. It can be very tricky to find a black or a green trowel somewhere in the garden, especially if you leave it in the grass or dirt. A bright and contrasting trowel handle will make this task less of a challenge.
How to Use a Garden Trowel
A short video about how to use a garden trowel
What about the cost?
In the end, let’s deal with the price. A good garden trowel does not require high costs, since most of them cost less than $20. But despite the fact that they can have a very low price, pay attention to quality. A good garden tool should fill your own gardening needs and be comfortable.
#1 Garden Trowel


Wilcox All Pro 202S Garden Trowel, 14", Stainless Steel
- Unusual blade design, which gives it extra strength;
- Solid one piece rustless steel construction;
- Handle with high quality leather – allows for a comfortable grip;
- It has a universal use;
Works well with deep landing and lump destructionIf you are looking for an excellent trowel with high characteristics that are almost unlike other similar ones, then let us pay attention to our overall #1 pick. This 14 ” digging trowel will fully satisfy your demands. Wilcox Company stands on the market since 1968 and has a good reputation; its products are renowned for their high strength and durability thanks to corrosion-resistant stainless steel. One of the remarkable features of this hand blade is its sharp edges, which are not typical for such garden tools.
This helps with not damaging too much soil while making deep enough holes. The unique design of the steel blade and leather handle will allow you to hold it firmly in your hands while working and not being afraid to exert strong pressure. The manufacturer gives a life-time warranty – if you find a way to break this item, it can be replaced with no hassle.
Garden Trowel – Buying Guide
Home or garden option?
For the outside garden, we should take more points into consideration. Think about the kind of soil you have in your garden. Is it soft, or is it dense and rocky? You might consider going with a sturdy steel or aluminum blade so the trowel doesn’t bend or break under pressure. If the soil is really dense, it would be a good idea to go for a trowel with a long handle. That will give you extra leverage and make gardening less challenging.
It’s also a big plus if your trowel has a pointed blade. It’s easier to dig through any kind of soil. The blade could also be different shapes, so think what would be your main focus. You might go with a wide and curved blade if transplanting flowers and plants is what you do most. Blades that are narrow are better for digging and removing weeds. You might go with something not too wide but also not too narrow for universal use.
What is the price range?
We also should take price into consideration. Trowels usually don’t cost more than $20. You can get one for $5 or even cheaper, but you shouldn’t compromise on quality. Cheaper trowels are usually not bend-proof and their durability is very low. We suggest spending a bit more just to make sure you get the best product. In the end, if a cheap trowel breaks, you’d have to get a new one, and this way you pay twice. It’s better to get a quality gardening trowel right away.
Important Nuances When Buying
There are some extra points that can help you make the right choice. First one is a hole or a cord in the grip. That makes it easier to store in your gardening shed. Yes, most of the trowels and stirrup hoe are made of rust-proof steel and aluminum or plastic but you shouldn’t leave them out in the open anyway.
The second one is a colourful grip and polished blade. It can be challenging to find your trowel in the garden, especially when it’s in the grass; a bright handle might help you there. A polished blade also shines in the sunlight and can help you find your trowel a lot quicker.
The Best Garden Trowels
If you want to take care of your garden, choose the right tool. Check out our product table below to find out which product we like best.
The top best product [hide]
Wilcox All Pro 102S 12" Digging Garden Trowel


Edward Tools Bend-Proof Garden Trowel


Manchester Mercantile Traditional English Garden Hand Trowel


SE Stainless Steel Mini Folding Garden Trowel - 8794SP


Fiskars 79796931J Fiber Composite Transplanter, Black


CFCT Bend-Proof Garden Trowel Tools


Garden Trowel & Hand Shovel with Large Ergonomic Handle


Bully Tools 92152 Garden Trowel All Steel


Radius Garden 10011 Ergonomic Aluminum Hand Trowel, Red


Radius Garden 16011 Root Slayer Trowel, Red


Gardena 8932-U Garden Hand Weeding Trowel


Kemaier Garden Trowel


Cate's Garden Hand Trowel


Garden Guru Super Strong Garden Trowel


Gardena 8932-U Garden Hand Weeding Trowel


Garden Trowel - FAQs
How sturdy is the scoop?
Is there a warranty?
What material is better to choose?
How should I store my trowel?
How should I store my trowel?
Conclusion
We have mentioned a lot of different garden trowels designed for different gardening tasks. Many people have used these before and they are proven to be very effective and convenient. Nonetheless, keep in mind this guide when choosing the best trowel. Consider the material, handle, blade design and the price. Don’t forget about the ergonomic handle design. It’s very important to keep your wrist stress-free to prevent strains! This becomes vital if you plan on spending many hours in your garden.
Don’t forget to look at the quality of the trowel. Remember that if you try to economize there, you might get a product with lower quality. If it breaks, you’ll have to spend your money again!
We hope our guide helps you to pick the best trowel for yourself. We wish you luck and success in this challenging matter!
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