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What are the gardening hand tools trowels?
Trowels are essential gardening hand tools that play a crucial role in a wide range of gardening tasks. From planting delicate seedlings to transplanting established plants, trowels offer precision and control that larger gardening equipment simply cannot match. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the various types of trowels, their uses, and some of the top brands and models available in the market.
What is a Trowel?
A trowel is a small handheld tool with a flat, pointed blade and a handle. The blade is typically made of metal, such as stainless steel or carbon steel, while the handle can be made from materials like wood, plastic, or rubber. The design of a trowel allows gardeners to dig, scoop, transplant, and even mix soil with ease. It is a versatile tool that every gardener, whether novice or experienced, should have in their toolkit.
Types of Trowels
1. Garden Trowel
The garden trowel is the most common type. It features a broad, slightly curved blade with a pointed tip. This design makes it ideal for general digging tasks in the garden, such as planting bulbs, small plants, and seedlings. The curved shape of the blade helps in scooping out soil efficiently, while the pointed tip can break up compacted soil. Brands like Fiskars offer excellent garden trowels. The Fiskars Traditional Garden Trowel has a sharp, rust – resistant blade and a comfortable, ergonomic handle that reduces hand fatigue during extended use. Another notable model is the Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Border Trowel. Its blade is precision – ground to a razor – sharp edge, allowing for effortless cutting through roots and soil.
The garden trowel is the most common type. It features a broad, slightly curved blade with a pointed tip. This design makes it ideal for general digging tasks in the garden, such as planting bulbs, small plants, and seedlings. The curved shape of the blade helps in scooping out soil efficiently, while the pointed tip can break up compacted soil. Brands like Fiskars offer excellent garden trowels. The Fiskars Traditional Garden Trowel has a sharp, rust – resistant blade and a comfortable, ergonomic handle that reduces hand fatigue during extended use. Another notable model is the Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Border Trowel. Its blade is precision – ground to a razor – sharp edge, allowing for effortless cutting through roots and soil.
2. Transplant Trowel
Transplant trowels are specifically designed for moving plants from one location to another. They have a long, narrow blade that can penetrate the soil deeply without causing excessive damage to the plant’s root system. This type of trowel is great for carefully lifting plants along with a ball of soil around their roots. The Niwaki Long – Handled Transplant Trowel is a popular choice. It has a long wooden handle that provides extra leverage, making it easier to dig deep into the ground. The blade is made of high – carbon steel, which is both strong and durable. The Corona GT 3010 Ergonomic Transplanting Trowel also stands out with its ergonomic design. The handle is contoured to fit the hand comfortably, and the blade’s shape allows for clean cuts through the soil when transplanting.
Transplant trowels are specifically designed for moving plants from one location to another. They have a long, narrow blade that can penetrate the soil deeply without causing excessive damage to the plant’s root system. This type of trowel is great for carefully lifting plants along with a ball of soil around their roots. The Niwaki Long – Handled Transplant Trowel is a popular choice. It has a long wooden handle that provides extra leverage, making it easier to dig deep into the ground. The blade is made of high – carbon steel, which is both strong and durable. The Corona GT 3010 Ergonomic Transplanting Trowel also stands out with its ergonomic design. The handle is contoured to fit the hand comfortably, and the blade’s shape allows for clean cuts through the soil when transplanting.
3. Dibber Trowel
A dibber trowel, also known as a dibble, is used mainly for making holes in the soil for sowing seeds or planting bulbs. It has a pointed, cylindrical shape. Some dibbers may have measurement markings on them, which is useful for ensuring consistent planting depths. The Gardena Dibber is a well – known model. It has a sturdy plastic handle and a metal tip that can easily penetrate the soil. The markings on the Gardena Dibber help gardeners plant seeds at the correct depth, increasing the chances of successful germination. Another option is the Bulldog Professional Dibber. Made from high – quality steel, it is built to last and can handle tough soil conditions.
A dibber trowel, also known as a dibble, is used mainly for making holes in the soil for sowing seeds or planting bulbs. It has a pointed, cylindrical shape. Some dibbers may have measurement markings on them, which is useful for ensuring consistent planting depths. The Gardena Dibber is a well – known model. It has a sturdy plastic handle and a metal tip that can easily penetrate the soil. The markings on the Gardena Dibber help gardeners plant seeds at the correct depth, increasing the chances of successful germination. Another option is the Bulldog Professional Dibber. Made from high – quality steel, it is built to last and can handle tough soil conditions.
4. Mortar Trowel
Although primarily used in construction for mixing and applying mortar, mortar trowels can also be useful in the garden for certain tasks. They have a flat, rectangular blade and are great for mixing small batches of soil amendments or fertilizers. The Marshalltown Brick Trowel is a top – of – the – line mortar trowel. It has a stainless – steel blade that resists rust and corrosion, and a comfortable handle for easy maneuvering. The Stanley FatMax Mortar Trowel is also popular, with its wide blade that allows for efficient mixing and spreading.
Although primarily used in construction for mixing and applying mortar, mortar trowels can also be useful in the garden for certain tasks. They have a flat, rectangular blade and are great for mixing small batches of soil amendments or fertilizers. The Marshalltown Brick Trowel is a top – of – the – line mortar trowel. It has a stainless – steel blade that resists rust and corrosion, and a comfortable handle for easy maneuvering. The Stanley FatMax Mortar Trowel is also popular, with its wide blade that allows for efficient mixing and spreading.
5. Edging Trowel
Edging trowels are designed to create clean, sharp edges along garden beds, pathways, and lawns. They have a narrow, straight blade with a sharp edge. This type of trowel can cut through grass and roots to create a defined border. The Wolf Garten Edging Trowel is highly regarded. Its blade is made of hardened steel, ensuring a long – lasting sharp edge. The handle is made of durable plastic, providing a good grip. The Bahco 386 – 24 Edging Trowel is another excellent choice, with its robust construction and ability to create professional – looking edges.
Edging trowels are designed to create clean, sharp edges along garden beds, pathways, and lawns. They have a narrow, straight blade with a sharp edge. This type of trowel can cut through grass and roots to create a defined border. The Wolf Garten Edging Trowel is highly regarded. Its blade is made of hardened steel, ensuring a long – lasting sharp edge. The handle is made of durable plastic, providing a good grip. The Bahco 386 – 24 Edging Trowel is another excellent choice, with its robust construction and ability to create professional – looking edges.
Features to Consider When Choosing a Trowel
1. Blade Material
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel blades are highly resistant to rust and corrosion, making them a great choice for gardeners who live in humid climates or near the sea. They are also relatively easy to clean and maintain. Brands like Fiskars often use stainless – steel blades in their trowels.
- Carbon Steel: Carbon steel blades are extremely strong and can hold a sharp edge well. However, they are more prone to rusting and require proper maintenance, such as regular oiling. Tools from Spear & Jackson, especially their traditional – style trowels, often feature carbon – steel blades.
2. Handle Material and Design
- Wood: Wooden handles offer a classic look and feel. They are comfortable to hold and can be reshaped or sanded if they start to splinter. Niwaki’s trowels with wooden handles are known for their quality and durability.
- Plastic: Plastic handles are lightweight and inexpensive. They are also resistant to moisture, making them suitable for use in all weather conditions. Many budget – friendly trowels from brands like Gardena have plastic handles.
- Rubber: Rubber – coated handles provide a non – slip grip, even when the hands are wet. This is a great feature for gardeners who work in damp conditions. The ergonomic designs of trowels from Corona often feature rubber – coated handles for maximum comfort.
3. Blade Shape and Size
The shape and size of the blade will depend on the intended use of the trowel. For general gardening tasks, a medium – sized, curved – blade garden trowel is sufficient. For more specialized tasks like transplanting or edging, the appropriate blade shape, such as long and narrow for transplanting or straight and narrow for edging, should be chosen.
The shape and size of the blade will depend on the intended use of the trowel. For general gardening tasks, a medium – sized, curved – blade garden trowel is sufficient. For more specialized tasks like transplanting or edging, the appropriate blade shape, such as long and narrow for transplanting or straight and narrow for edging, should be chosen.
Top Trowel Brands and Their Best – Selling Models
1. Fiskars
Fiskars is a well – established brand known for its high – quality gardening tools. Their Fiskars Traditional Garden Trowel is a best – seller. It has a 4 – inch wide blade made of stainless steel, which is rust – resistant and durable. The handle is made of wood with a contoured design for a comfortable grip. The trowel also features a hanging hole at the end of the handle for easy storage. Another popular model is the Fiskars Ergo Trowel. This trowel has an ergonomic handle that reduces hand and wrist strain, making it ideal for gardeners with limited hand strength or those who spend long hours in the garden. The blade is made of carbon steel and is sharp enough to cut through tough soil and roots.
Fiskars is a well – established brand known for its high – quality gardening tools. Their Fiskars Traditional Garden Trowel is a best – seller. It has a 4 – inch wide blade made of stainless steel, which is rust – resistant and durable. The handle is made of wood with a contoured design for a comfortable grip. The trowel also features a hanging hole at the end of the handle for easy storage. Another popular model is the Fiskars Ergo Trowel. This trowel has an ergonomic handle that reduces hand and wrist strain, making it ideal for gardeners with limited hand strength or those who spend long hours in the garden. The blade is made of carbon steel and is sharp enough to cut through tough soil and roots.
2. Spear & Jackson
Spear & Jackson has a long history of producing top – notch gardening tools. The Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Border Trowel is highly rated. Its blade is made of high – carbon steel, which is precision – ground to a razor – sharp edge. This allows for easy cutting through soil and roots when working on garden borders. The handle is made of ash wood, which is both strong and comfortable to hold. The Spear & Jackson Heritage Stainless Steel Trowel is another great option. With a stainless – steel blade that resists rust and a beautifully crafted wooden handle, it combines functionality with a classic aesthetic.
Spear & Jackson has a long history of producing top – notch gardening tools. The Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Border Trowel is highly rated. Its blade is made of high – carbon steel, which is precision – ground to a razor – sharp edge. This allows for easy cutting through soil and roots when working on garden borders. The handle is made of ash wood, which is both strong and comfortable to hold. The Spear & Jackson Heritage Stainless Steel Trowel is another great option. With a stainless – steel blade that resists rust and a beautifully crafted wooden handle, it combines functionality with a classic aesthetic.
3. Niwaki
Niwaki focuses on producing high – quality, Japanese – inspired gardening tools. The Niwaki Long – Handled Transplant Trowel is one of their most popular products. The long wooden handle provides extra reach and leverage, making it easier to dig deep into the ground when transplanting plants. The blade is made of high – carbon steel, which is known for its strength and sharpness. Niwaki also offers the Niwaki Stainless Steel Trowel, which features a mirror – polished stainless – steel blade for a smooth finish and a comfortable, contoured wooden handle.
Niwaki focuses on producing high – quality, Japanese – inspired gardening tools. The Niwaki Long – Handled Transplant Trowel is one of their most popular products. The long wooden handle provides extra reach and leverage, making it easier to dig deep into the ground when transplanting plants. The blade is made of high – carbon steel, which is known for its strength and sharpness. Niwaki also offers the Niwaki Stainless Steel Trowel, which features a mirror – polished stainless – steel blade for a smooth finish and a comfortable, contoured wooden handle.
4. Corona
Corona is known for its ergonomic gardening tools. The Corona GT 3010 Ergonomic Transplanting Trowel has a unique handle design that fits the hand perfectly, reducing fatigue during use. The blade is made of heavy – duty carbon steel, which can withstand the rigors of transplanting. Another popular model is the Corona GT 3030 Comfort Gel Trowel. It has a gel – filled handle that provides a soft, cushioned grip, and a stainless – steel blade that is resistant to rust and corrosion.
Corona is known for its ergonomic gardening tools. The Corona GT 3010 Ergonomic Transplanting Trowel has a unique handle design that fits the hand perfectly, reducing fatigue during use. The blade is made of heavy – duty carbon steel, which can withstand the rigors of transplanting. Another popular model is the Corona GT 3030 Comfort Gel Trowel. It has a gel – filled handle that provides a soft, cushioned grip, and a stainless – steel blade that is resistant to rust and corrosion.
5. Gardena
Gardena offers a wide range of gardening tools, including trowels. The Gardena Hand Trowel is a simple yet effective tool. It has a stainless – steel blade and a lightweight plastic handle. The trowel is easy to use and suitable for basic gardening tasks. The Gardena Dibber, as mentioned earlier, is also a great product from the brand. With its measurement markings and sturdy construction, it is a must – have for any gardener who wants to ensure accurate seed and bulb planting.
Gardena offers a wide range of gardening tools, including trowels. The Gardena Hand Trowel is a simple yet effective tool. It has a stainless – steel blade and a lightweight plastic handle. The trowel is easy to use and suitable for basic gardening tasks. The Gardena Dibber, as mentioned earlier, is also a great product from the brand. With its measurement markings and sturdy construction, it is a must – have for any gardener who wants to ensure accurate seed and bulb planting.
Maintenance of Trowels
To ensure the longevity of your trowels, proper maintenance is essential. After each use, clean the blade thoroughly to remove any dirt, soil, or plant debris. For stainless – steel blades, a simple wipe with a damp cloth is usually sufficient. For carbon – steel blades, in addition to cleaning, it is advisable to apply a thin layer of oil to prevent rusting. Store your trowels in a dry place, preferably hanging them by the handle to avoid any damage to the blade. If the handle starts to show signs of wear or splintering, sand it down and apply a protective coating, such as linseed oil for wooden handles.
In conclusion, trowels are indispensable gardening hand tools that come in various types, each designed for specific tasks. By understanding the different types of trowels, the features to consider when choosing one, and the top brands and models available, you can select the perfect trowel for your gardening needs. With proper maintenance, your trowel will serve you well for many gardening seasons to come, helping you create and maintain a beautiful garden. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gardener, investing in a high – quality trowel is a decision you won’t regret.
