PHOTO: SARAH CUTTLE
Introducing new plants into our gardens is always an exciting process, and whether they’re trees, shrubs, bulbs or herbaceous perennials, it’s vital to give them the best start for their continued health and success.
Planting them well, in aerated soil and at the right depth, is crucial, and there are several tools designed to help you do this. The Gardeners’ World Magazine reviews team regularly tests planting tools to ensure you can buy new kit with confidence and choose the right tools for each planting task.
From forks and spades that help you break up the soil, dig holes and lift plants, to trowels for planting in pots and raised beds, we’ve reviewed a whole host of tools, giving our coveted Best Buy award to those that were outstanding. Every tool on the next three pages is a Best Buy-winner, so if you want new tools for planting this autumn, read on to discover our recommendations.
Hand trowels
Trowels are invaluable for planting, making seed drills, weeding and potting on. With a wooden or plastic handle and a stainlesssteel, carbon-steel or plastic blade, these are hard-working tools.
But they’re not all the same – some are designed for specific tasks or soils. The blade can be long and narrow for working in tight spots or with deep-rooted plants, pointed for digging hard soil, or scooped for transplanting. Wider, flatter trowels are best for planting and digging. Look for a long tang (the neck that joins the blade to the handle) if you have hard ground, as it gives you greater leverage. If you’ll be working for long periods, choose a handle that is shaped for comfort with a rounded end.
1 Best all-rounder Kent & Stowe Capability Trowel £14.99