I don&#;t know if you know this about me, but I love garden tools and gadgets. I&#;ve always been on the hunt for the best garden gear, which means I&#;ve wasted my fair share of money on some not-so-great options. For the past several years, I&#;ve even shared my top picks in my joe gardener Best of the Must-Haves guide, so you could avoid some of the buying mistakes I&#;d made.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website 1.
This week, I&#;m talking with Monica Hemingway. Monica has been gardening since she was 10 years old. She&#;s a licensed arborist, and for several years, she worked as a professional landscaper and garden coach. These days, she tests and reviews garden products for a living. She and her nation-wide team of testers (including husband, Jack) put tools and gear through some grueling paces, and the results are published on the Gardening Products Review website.
Monica&#;s journey into product review began five years ago when she was trying to dig up a Joe Pye Weed. The shovel broke, and she nearly impaled herself. The wound healed, but the incident got Monica thinking.
She had lots of tools in her garden shed but realized that many of them were, essentially, junk. With a new-found appreciation for the safety that accompanies quality, she made up her mind to replace the sub-par gear, but she had a difficult time finding reliable resources to identify which tools were the best and would stand the test of time.
Like me, she was tired of wasting money on things that just didn&#;t work or which could even cause harm. At the time, Monica was publishing a garden blog, and as someone who has always been fascinated by how things work, she decided to test the products she already owned and share results on her blog site.
As readership of her review articles quickly outpaced Monica&#;s other garden articles, she realized she had struck a chord. She made up her mind to pursue tool testing full time and create an online resource which could be considered the Consumer Reports of garden tools.
Monica reached out to distributors, inviting them to send her tools for review. Companies weren&#;t very receptive in the beginning, but these days, Monica and her team receive more product than they can handle.
The Gardening Products Review team has published over 380 reviews to date, with 80 reviews just this year. Since they receive more testing requests than they can accommodate, Monica and Jack weed some out immediately.
They typically avoid reviewing any product which isn&#;t yet commercially available to homeowners. Their goal is to be a resource for consumers, so why review it when it&#;s not available for sale?
Some gear is clearly poor or defective quality from the start. In those instances, Monica provides feedback to manufacturers of new products to identify any obvious improvements to quality or performance. Oftentimes, this advice spurs companies to go back to the drawing board or make modifications to the product.
That said, Monica and Jack are always actively looking for the latest and greatest stuff coming on to the market. Their reputation has earned them judging roles at the annual National Hardware Show &#; an enormous event which can take a few days to navigate and includes a large area devoted to the lawn & garden category. Monica and Jack examine the garden tools at the show and award the standouts.
This event offers them the opportunity to identify consumer trends and work with some brands to see what&#;s on the horizon in the garden world.
When the Gardening Products team reviews an item, they mean business and follow specific benchmarks in order to separate the good from the bad. They focus on tools that a typical homeowner would use in the garden and rarely review anything which only landscape professionals would use.
Each member of the review team follows the same six-page set of testing criteria. These are designed to cover any question that a homeowner might want answered &#; such as how heavy is it, how easy is it to handle, how durable is it, etc.
Testing follows three main categories with a maximum rating of 5 stars:
If they discover a significant issue with a product during testing, Gardening Products will reach out to the maker&#;s customer service department &#; just as any savvy homeowner would do. Recognizing that some manufacturers can experience entire batches made with an unusual defect, the Gardening Products team explains the problem to Customer Service and requests a replacement. If a replacement is sent (usually the case), it is put through the rigors of testing.
If a replacement item is still found lacking, Monica or Jack reach out to the company to explain their findings and provide the organization a chance to respond. Although it&#;s not always the case, most companies are very receptive to this feedback and use the information to try to design a better, longer-lasting product.
Testers take multiple photographs throughout the process, and these are shared &#; along with the final review &#; on the website.
If a product just isn&#;t up to snuff, well &#; those reviews are published too. Monica and her team are keen that consumers really know the score, so if there is a better product model out there, they want the homeowner to be aware.
Reviews include star ratings based on the garden product&#;s performance throughout testing, and since one of the goals is that consumers not waste hard-earned money on sub-quality gear, there is always an eye on product price too.
All of this testing and writing and photographing &#; it sounds like a lot of work, right? It is, but Monica and her team do it for the love of the process and a commitment to providing valuable information to homeowners. Good thing, because theirs is not a lucrative business model.
Gardening Products Review doesn&#;t take compensation from companies to test their products. Accepting payment to test could compromise the integrity of their results. Monica and Jack want to be certain that their reviews are objective.
Their only financial reward comes through some of the purchases made directly from links on the website. Product reviews include direct links, so the homeowner can browse easily to the option to purchase the item. Some of these are Amazon links, and from those, Monica and Jack receive a small, affiliate commission. That said, they do price comparison research and always strive to link the cheapest resource for the item to make sure readers receive the most cost-effective deal possible. So for all those items not linked for sale through Amazon, there is no compensation to Gardening Products Review.
There is one thing that Monica and Jack do charge for &#; the Gardening Products Review Seal of Approval. A product must receive 5 stars on all three categories (quality, performance and ease-of-use) before it is eligible for the GPR Seal of Approval. The distributor of that product can purchase the rights to use the Seal of Approval for about $100 &#; quite a deal when you consider that the mark has become the gold standard for a top-notch garden product.
If you see the GPR Seal of Approval on garden gear or tools, you can feel very good about that purchase. Monica and Jack are very particular about which items can carry this vote of confidence. Those that do have really been put through the paces and come out on top.
Ok &#; you might be wondering: What are the top picks of the garden guru who has built a reputation for knowing the best from the rest? I sure was, and Monica didn&#;t disappoint. Here are a few of her favorites:
Gloves
Monica&#;s top glove pick is from Digz. They are touchscreen compatible, comfortable and &#; at around $10 per pair &#; very affordable. She cautions that they won&#;t last forever, but at that price, they are easy to replace when necessary.
Another longer-lasting option is from Bionic. They are all leather and fully-articulated for ease of hand movement, so they are a good option for homeowners with limited hand strength.
For heavier-duty work, Monica loves Bear Wallow Rose Gauntlet gloves. These gloves will set your wallet back a little more but provide better protection for real garden challenges. They are breathable but, at the same time, practically impermeable. Monica lives in Tuscon, Arizona and can use these gloves to lift and carry cactus which would pierce her hands through most other varieties.
Weeding Tool
Many gardeners are familiar with the hori hori knife. Monica prefers the Lesche Digging Tool and says it&#;s like a hori hori on steroids. She uses hers for just about everything &#; digging, weeding, prying up pavers, cutting through roots, etc. This was one of the first tools Monica ever reviewed, and it&#;s been her go-to choice for nearly a decade. Unlike the hori hori, the blade of this tool is offset, so it&#;s more comfortable to use and provides more leverage for the task at hand.
Shovel
Who doesn&#;t need a great shovel? Not all shovels are created equal, and there are many new designs out there lately. Which model will work best for you depends, a bit, on your individual circumstances. If you garden in hard or rocky soil, Monica recommends the Earth Talon model. It&#;s unique blade cuts more easily through tough soil.
If your soil is easier to manage, and you prefer something more lightweight, the Green Heron HERShovel is a good option. With ergonomic design, it&#;s also a good choice for anyone with arthritis or back problems.
Garden Hose
With decades of gardening under my belt, I&#;m pretty particular about which garden hose I use. I love my Water Right Inc, food-grade-safe polyurethane hoses. They&#;re a bit more expensive than the typical garden hose, but they&#;ve stood the test for me. So, I&#;ll admit that I&#;m not keen to go looking for other options.
Monica&#;s favorite is the Dramm ColorStorm&#; Premium Hose. She&#;s left hers sitting outside in the relentless Tuscon sun and heat for five years, and they have shown no sign of degrading anytime soon. In fact, she&#;s pretty sure these hoses will last just about forever. It doesn&#;t hurt that they come in six color options either.
She frequently is asked about expandable hose. Most of these products are definitely not worth the money and are known for rupturing and plenty of other quality issues. That said, the Aeroflex&#; is one of a few newer versions which are built using a slightly different design and tend to last much longer than other expandable hoses. These lightweight hoses can be really useful if you garden in limited space or need something collapsible to water your balcony containers.
Cordless Tools
There are so many great cordless tool products on the market now that Monica feels most homeowners can forego even considering gas-powered models. She recommends purchasing within the same brand, so all your cordless tools can use the same battery systems and chargers interchangeably.
Monica&#;s choice for the king of performance is the Redback brand. Although these tools are typically only available online, their consistent quality and performance make them worth a little extra effort. The top mowers, blowers and string trimmers as reviewed by the Gardening Products team are all from Redback.
If you are looking for something a little heavier duty, Yard Force is a good brand. Their tools offer a little more power, but be prepared to wield more weight than the lightweight Redback models.
Monica also recommends the Worx GT Revolution string trimmer for anyone who is looking for something that is lightweight and easy to store. This tool is a multi-tasking powerhouse. It performs as an edger, string trimmer and mower. It won&#;t offer pro-grade power, but it will get the basics done and collapses to a compact size.
Plant Container
Living in Tuscon means that Monica has to take extra care with her container plants. She&#;s tried many of the self-watering container models and wasn&#;t impressed until she tested the Trudrop from Crescent Gardens. It&#;s double-walled to hold water around the entire perimeter of the container. It&#;s not the prettiest model on the block, but Monica can fill it and trust that her plants will receive the moisture they need for up to three weeks &#; even under the searing 115 degree temperatures of the Arizona sun. Pretty impressive.
If you are looking for a vertical container, Monica recommends the GreenStalk Stackable planter. It&#;s available with three or five vertical rows and can hold up to six plants in each row. Unlike many vertical planters which don&#;t distribute water evenly from top to bottom, the Green Stalk model provides consistent moisture throughout. The wheels at the bottom make this 2&#;x2&#; unit easy to move too, so you won&#;t need to break your back to chase the sun &#; and you&#;ll be able to steer it indoors quickly if an unexpected storm hits.
If you&#;ve long relied on consumer reviews available on commerce sites, such as Amazon &#; absorb that information with a grain of salt. Many consumers mistreat the products they&#;ve purchased and, oftentimes, you&#;ll read evidence of this in the review they submit. Take the time to actually read those consumer reviews thoroughly and use your common sense. Even the best products can fail when they aren&#;t properly cared for.
Monica also recommends that you take a step back before you actually make a purchase. Take time to realistically consider whether or not a products looks like it will do what you need it do. Does it provide some function that your current tools don&#;t offer? Although we might all be tempted by the latest gadget (including yours truly), it&#;s best to stick with the basics &#; gloves, digging and weeding tools, pruners, something to deliver water, a mower and trimmer, and a favorite garden cart or hauling device &#; everything else is just extra.
It&#;s also important to do the research to determine whether or not the tool will work for you in spite of any limitations you might have. If you struggle with back issues, arthritis, or even storage space &#; the gear you buy should work for you.
If in doubt, check out the Gardening Products Review website. Odds are pretty good that they&#;ve probably reviewed the product you&#;re considering. They&#;ve also put together a Top 25 Gifts list for the holidays. You may want to share that with anyone who will be shopping for you this year.
Maybe you think you have the chops to become a product reviewer? Monica and Jack may be looking for new testers now and in the future. They particularly welcome any gardeners who live in areas where winter is mild, so testing can continue through those winter months. If you are interested, you can fill out their application form &#; but a word of warning: Monica and Jack have developed a rigorous application process to ensure that the tools and gear on the market continue to be tested fully and that the resulting review is well-written and photographed.
Are you hoping Santa will bring you any new tools this year? Share your holiday wishes in the Comments section below. I don&#;t have any influence with St. Nick, but you just might spark ideas for other readers. I must admit, I&#;m kicking around the idea of finding a good leaf shredder. I love shredded leaves as mulch and have collected a record number of bagged leaves this year from friends and neighbors throughout my community. It&#;s not a tool essential, but it sure would help me with the mounds of leaves I&#;ve gathered.
You can listen in to my conversation with Monica by scrolling to the top of the page and clicking the Play icon in the green bar under the page title. Monica shares a few more tool stories and is a wealth of information on the world of garden gear. I hope you enjoy!
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Look for tools with padded handles, ergonomic grips, shock absorption technology, or other features that make them comfortable in your hands for long periods. We love the options on this list, not only for their performance but also because they feel comfortable and fatigue-free while gardening. It's important to find tools that combine effective performance, high-quality materials, and comfortability.
Everything on this list, from trowels to weeding tools , is made from aluminum, steel, or high-quality plastic to withstand direct sunlight and other weather conditions. They should also be able to withstand drops and impact. Aluminum and steel will resist rust over time and feel heavier and higher quality in your hands, while plastic is more lightweight and easy to maneuver, but may be less weather-resistant.
We've researched and tested dozens of gardening tools in our lab and our own backyard gardens , evaluating effectiveness, ease of use, and overall value . While all gardening tools serve a different purpose, we found that the material and comfort of the tool were most important in our purchasing decision.
Whether you're an experienced horticulturist or a beginner gardener, the right gardening tools make tending to your garden more enjoyable.
Best Pruners
Felco F-2 One-Hand Pruning Shear
PHOTO: Amazon
$63 at Amazon
$63 at Home Depot
$85 at Macy's
What We Like
Replaceable blades
Sap groove
Lifetime warranty
What We Don't Like
Designed for larger hands
Don't let the price tag on the Felco F-2 Classic Manual Hand Pruners scare you away. While they were certainly a large upfront investment, these hand pruners are backed by a lifetime warranty and last just about as long. During testing, we found these pruners ideal for cutting through branches and shrubbery up to an inch thick in diameter in a backyard garden. We also found the sap groove an amazing feature to prevent the blades from sticking.
The Felco F-2 has hardened steel blades, a forged aluminum handle, and an adjustable alignment. The rubberized handle has shock-absorbing pads to keep gardeners comfortable. We did find that the F-2 pruners are designed for larger hands, but other Felco models are available for smaller hands, like the F-6. Users with joint problems may appreciate the rotating and ergonomic handles of the F-7 and F-8 pruners. They also sell a left-handed version for leftie gardeners, so there's a pruner option that's comfortable and effective for everyone.
Dimensions: 9.25 x 4 x 1 inches | Primary Use: Trimming branches | Material: Aluminum
The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
Best Garden Knife
Nisaku Hori-Hori Tomita Weeding Knife
PHOTO: Amazon
$15 at Amazon
$20 at Home Depot
View on Kmart.com
What We Like
Two edge styles
Depth markers
Leather sheath
What We Don't Like
Uncomfortable handle
Though there are cheaper garden knives on the market, the Nisaku Japanese Hori Hori Digging Tool is worth the slight splurge because of its durable, 7 1/4-inch stainless steel blade that slices through the soil with ease. We found the Hori Hori extraordinarily effective at uprooting even the toughest weeds, thanks to its sharp edge that easily cuts through roots.
The blade's straight and serrated edge makes it useful for light planting, dividing flowers, and transferring small plants. The depth markings on the blade also make it an effective planting tool when it's time to plant spring and summer bulbs.
While overall we were impressed with this knife and understand why it's priced higher than other options on the market, we were disappointed by its handle. It's essentially square, making gripping it uncomfortable for long periods and precarious if you're working in especially stubborn or rocky soil. However, this tool is a worthy investment if you prefer to use a tool for weeding rather than pulling them up with your hands.
Dimensions: 13 x 2.8 x 1.5 inches | Primary Use: Removing weeds | Material: Stainless steel and wood
The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
Best Trowel
Wilcox 14-Inch Digging Trowel
PHOTO: Amazon
$26 at Amazon
View on Lehmans.com
What We Like
Pointed edge
Depth markings
Lifetime warranty
What We Don't Like
Dirt gets stuck in the handle
The Wilcox All-Pro Heavy-Duty Digging Trowel impressed us with its soil-slicing ability and long blade. While its design could be less than exciting to some, we think the lack of metal seams or brackets makes it less likely to rust or wear in the long run. Although we tested the 14-inch version, the manufacturer also offers trowels ranging in size from 9 up to 18 inches long. The design is backed by a lifetime warranty, which helps justify the surprising initial cost.
Beyond being durable, this trowel is very effective and can even be used in place of a soil knife while retaining its skill at more digging-intensive jobs. We also really enjoyed the depth markings located on the edge of the blade, which can be a useful feature for planting bulbs and seedlings.
We noticed that dirt can become lodged in the handle of this trowel since the blade does not fill the entire circumference of the handle. While not a total hindrance to its performance, we recommend clearing out this nook with a dry cloth or paper towel rather than rinsing the blade to prevent extensive exposure to water. All in all, we found this trowel comfortable to grip and appreciated its length, which enhances its overall digging capability compared to shorter trowels.
Dimensions: 14 x 3 x 0.2 inches | Primary Use: Planting | Material: Stainless steel
The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk
Best Shovel
Bully Tools 14-Gauge Round Point Shovel
PHOTO: Amazon
$54 at Amazon
$56 at Walmart
$54 at Home Depot
The company is the world’s best garden tools factory supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
What We Like
Extended handle
Reinforced handle
Lifetime warranty
What We Don't Like
May not be best for rocky soil
On top of being a durable and long-handled shovel, the Bully Tools 14-Gauge Round Point Shovel is great for various gardening and lawn-care needs. We have not had the opportunity to test this shovel, but we appreciate that the handle is reinforced with fiberglass, making it stronger than wooden and plastic options.
The steel blade is more rounded than other options, which might not make it best for piercing through incredibly rocky soil, but its extended ferrule (the shaft that connects the handle and the blade) offers additional durability for especially difficult tasks.
Dimensions: 60 x 9.5 x 1.5 inches | Primary Use: Digging | Material: Steel and fiberglass
Best Rain Gauge
Stratus Precision Rain Gauge
PHOTO: Amazon
$39 at Amazon
$73 at Walmart
What We Like
Detachable funnel
Easy to read
Easy to install
What We Don't Like
May crack if dropped or hit
Must be installed on a post
The Stratus RG202 Long-Term Professional Rain Gauge is built to standards specified by the US Weather Bureau and is a reliable instrument for both home and professional use. Made from weather-resistant polycarbonate (plastic), it can withstand cold and heat and won't rust like other metal models.
This gauge has a 1-inch inner measuring tube and an overflow cylinder that allows the collection of up to 11 inches of rain. You can also remove the collection funnel and tube to measure snow, hail, or sleet. It comes with a bracket that allows easy attachment and removal on a post, but we wish there were an alternative in-ground installation option.
We also wonder whether the plastic would crack if dropped on pavement or hit with a hard object, but this is just speculation as we have not had the opportunity to test it. Despite a few hesitancies, we think this rain gauge is a great, easy-to-read option for avid gardeners who want to monitor their plants' needs closely.
Dimensions: 14.6 x 5 x 4.9 inches | Primary Use: Measuring rain | Material: UV-resistant plastic
Best Gardening Gloves
Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves
PHOTO: The Home Depot
$17 at Amazon
$13 at Home Depot
What We Like
Comfortable fabric
Padded palm grips
Adjustable wrist strap
What We Don't Like
Different sizes listed separately online
Thumb sizing is awkward
We found the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves surprisingly comfortable while tending to a garden during our half-hour testing period. These gloves are not only durable but also thoughtfully designed with terry cloth thumbs to easily wipe a damp forehead. Plus, the fingertips are touchscreen-compatible, so you can easily answer your without pulling off your glove. The synthetic leather, which is more stretchy compared to traditional leather, makes these gardening gloves great for holding shovels or trowels for longer periods without developing blisters.
The thumbs, pointer fingers, and palms also have extra padding to make gripping garden tools even more comfortable. An adjustable wrist strap also ensures these gloves stay snug on your hands. The thumb on this pair of gloves was about an inch too long when we were testing them, but this awkward sizing didn't impact our mobility too much. These gloves are available in larger sizes, but all of the sizes are listed separately on some retailers' websites.
If you're looking for men's-sized gloves, we recommend checking out the Firm Grip General Purpose Gloves in Large. Overall, we think these gloves are a great option for gardening enthusiasts who are looking for maximum dexterity and appropriate protection.
Dimensions: Not listed | Primary Use: Protecting hands | Material: Synthetic leather and mesh
The Spruce / Eric Brockob
Best Garden Hose
Zero-G Ultra Flexible Durable Garden Hose
PHOTO: Amazon
$67 at Amazon
$68 at Wayfair
$68 at Lowe's
What We Like
Crush-proof couplings
Inner tube and durable outer jacket
Easy to maneuver when empty and full
What We Don't Like
Only rated for use above 35 degrees Fahrenheit
Although not initially a front-runner, the Zero-G Lightweight Ultra Flexible Garden Hose won us over with its easy-to-maneuver design and crush-proof couplings. No need to worry about accidentally rolling over this garden hose with a car since the couplings are crush-proof up to 900 pounds. This hose connected very easily to a spigot, and we found it easy to maneuver both when empty and full of water.
We were really impressed by the actual hose design, which includes an inner tube and a durable outer jacket that resists snags from thorny bushes and rocky terrain. While this hose is only rated for use above 35 degrees, we still think it's a great option to leave out year-round in milder climates, or you could pack it away if you experience colder temps during the winter. Plus, with extended long-term use, we've found that this watering tool still lives up to its initial lightweight and durable ratings.
Dimensions: 100 feet in length, 5/8-inch diameter | Primary Use: Watering | Material: Not listed
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Hose Nozzle
Dramm Revolution Spray Gun
PHOTO: Amazon
$16 at Amazon
$24 at Walmart
$19 at Ace Hardware
What We Like
One-touch thumb throttle
Durable design
Easy to switch among nine sprays
What We Don't Like
Colored paint may chip over time
The Dramm Revolution 9-Pattern Spray Gun is a powerful nozzle that easily rinsed mud off our target Adirondack chair during lab testing. Unlike other nozzles with a squeeze throttle that must be continuously depressed, this nozzle has a one-touch thumb throttle. We found this not only much more comfortable to use, compared to other designs but it was also easy to operate and adjust the water pressure to what we needed. It's also available in six colorful options that make it easy to identify among flowering garden beds.
The nine different spray settings were also easy to switch among, and they were all well-labeled. Despite being thrown down a flight of stairs during our durability test, this nozzle showed no scratches and was still in perfect working condition. Overall, with a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong considering this nozzle for your garden needs.
Dimensions: 7 x 4 x 2.25 inches | Primary Use: Watering plants | Material: Metal
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Watering Wand
The Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand
PHOTO: Amazon
$23 at Amazon
$22 at The Relaxed Gardener
What We Like
Thumb throttle
Padded handle
Eight spray patterns
What We Don't Like
Scuffs when dropped
No free-rotation adapter
The Relaxed Gardener Watering Wand stood out to us during testing, thanks to its eight-pattern spray and comfortable thumb throttle, which make watering high-hanging baskets less of a hassle. We were surprised by the impressive distance this wand had on its high setting, with a spray out to 27 feet. While maneuvering with this wand wasn't particularly challenging, we think the addition of a free-rotation adapter would make weaving between flower beds and around furniture even easier.
The padded handle also felt comfortable to grip during our testing period. This wand scratched when dropped on the pavement, but that is a common failure of plastic watering wands and nozzles. Overall, the drop did not impact the wand's functions. While this may not be the longest watering wand at just under 16 inches long, we think it is still ideal for urban gardens and smaller backyard gardens with hanging planters.
Dimensions: Not listed | Primary Use: Watering plants | Material: Aluminum and plastic
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Hose Reel
Gorilla Mobile Hose Reel
PHOTO: Amazon
$140 at Amazon
$139 at Walmart
$149 at Home Depot
What We Like
Includes spigot for easy winding
Rubber grips on handle and crank
Stable, wide base
What We Don't Like
Non-adjustable handle
Screws require extra effort during assembly
If you're looking for a hose reel that can not only store your hose but also transport it around your yard and garden, we recommend Gorilla Aluminum Zero Rust Premium Mobile Hose Reel. We tested the 200-foot capacity reel and found it to be one of the most stable options of the 26 models tested. The shorter legs with wide padded grips make it easy to kick up and roll to a new location, and the molded wheels easily roll over any terrain.
While we had to put in some extra effort while adding the screws during assembly, we didn't find the process overly difficult. We will note that while using this hose reel, we found the handle height quite comfortable, but a taller user may have to stoop down to pull this reel behind them, which may be a drawback for some.
However, winding the hose around this reel was a breeze, thanks to the attached spigot and a loop on the side that guided the hose. With a rust-resistant frame and overall impressively durable materials, we think this reel is a great option for any size garden.
Dimensions: 18.9 x 23.8 x 16.7 inches | Primary Use: Storing hose | Material: Aluminum and rubber
The Spruce / Rachel Marek
The Spruce / Dera Burreson
Best Kneeling Pad
Red Home Club Thick Kneeling Pad
PHOTO: Amazon
$14 at Amazon
What We Like
Thick and oversized
Ergonomic carrying handle
Textured to avoid slipping
What We Don't Like
Thin sides
A kneeling pad is an affordable tool to make long days in the garden more comfortable. During testing, we loved that you couldn't feel the ground when using this pad, thanks to the thick foam. It's thick and large, so there's plenty of room for one or both knees. It's available in two sizes to accommodate any garden and body.
There's also an ergonomic handle that molds to your hand for easy transporting to and from your backyard. Plus, it weighs less than a pound. This kneeling pad has a textured side so you don't slide around your garden. But we're a bit worried about the thin sides becoming damaged over time. Still, for $25, this kneeling pad is essential for feeling comfortable after hours in the garden.
Dimensions: 18 x 11 x 1.5, 24 x 14 x1.5 inches | Primary Use: Gardening | Material: Foam
The Spruce / Eric Brockob
Contact us to discuss your requirements of wholesale garden tool sets. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.