I have tested a lot of gardening tools from Amazon. Some broke almost instantaneously. Some changed my life instantaneously.
Here is the good, the bad, and the ugly of gardening tools on Amazon ...
#1 Best Gardening Tool on Amazon (or Anywhere): The Stirrup Hoe
This tool is a game-changer. Buy it now. Buy two. Buy one for your mom and dad.
You’ve got to try this thing. It slices the roots of the weeds just below the surface. The bottom part of the stirrup moves through the soil like one of the graboids from Tremors. This thing is a miracle. Did I mention that I liked it?
For some reason, Amazon calls this an "Action Hoe." That reminds me of "Action Man," the sad knock-off of G. I. Joe, but whatever.
The Best Garden Hoe for Weeding
The first one is the Truper Stirrup/Action Hoe, it has served me really well (I also like the Truper mini-sledge hammer);
The second one is much sturdier, but you pay a premium for that; and
The third one is mini-version, in case you can't handle all that handle:
#2 Best Gardening Tool on Amazon: DeWalt Cordless Drill or DeWalt Cordless Impact Driver
I know, I know. You're probably saying, this is about gardening tools! Why's he talking about a drill.
Well, it's amazing how many times I've needed a drill while gardening. I need to build the frames for the raised bed, build fences to keep out chickens -- I've even used the auger tilling drill bits. More on that later ...
It's my cordless drill that has been such a huge help in and around the garden. My days of lugging around extension cords – for my drill, anyway – are over.
Here are some DeWalt options for cordless, battery-powered drills and impact drivers, as well as some other manufacturers:
You may want to get some extra attachments for these tools, too. Especially an extra battery! Get some extra 20V batteries, so one can be charging while the other is working.
I like the DeWalt battery-powered drill the best, but there are other options as well. Makita is decent, but Milwaukee is just as good or better than DeWalt. DeWalt has worked consistently for me, though, despite staying out in our moist Louisiana climate more than I'd like to admit.
#3 Best Gardening Hand Tools Set on Amazon:
Honestly, my favorite tool for planting -- digging holes for seedlings and spreading a little fertilizer -- is an old spoon!
But, if you feel the need to get a set of spades, trowels, ..., here are the gardening hand tools from Amazon that I've had the best luck with:
Amazon has a lot of different options for these multi-tool, 7-in-1 Garden Tool Sets. These sets usually include the following: the scoop, the spade or trowel (whatever you prefer to call it), cultivator, weeder, hand rake, pruning shears, and carrying bag.
I have bought several garden hand tool sets over the years. I could have bought the $200+ Smith & Hawken or Williams & Sonoma versions, but these things get lost all the time. By "get lost," I mean the kids are always sneaking away with my tools for their various digging projects.
Just buy a solid set of tools and replace what doesn't last. Don't buy the top-of-the-line. That's my two cents. Here are some solid options:
#4 Augur Drill Attachment
I have long wanted this kind of tool to work, but it’s never panned out for me. I’ve tried a couple different garden augers with a couple different drills, corded and cordless, and nope – just doesn’t work long-term.
But! If you're still a believer, try the following garden augers from Amazon. These are your best bets:
I know I'm not selling these augers too hard, but hey! I gotta be honest.
#5 Best Garden Buggies and Carts on Amazon
Nothing beats a few extra hands, even kid hands, in the garden, but a garden cart or buggy comes close.
Can you believe Amazon will send these big, bulky items to you in the mail? Sometimes for free? Nuts.
Here are some of the best Amazon options for garden buggies and yard carts or whatever you want to call these things:
My biggest issue with garden carts has been dry rot killing my tires. I recommend solid wheels or the "no-flat" option whenever possible for a long-lasting cart:
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