The 10 Best Gardening Trowels

The Wilcox All Pro (about $19) features a pointy, sharpened end that can slice through dry, root-filled ground and stubborn clumps. This model is longer than most, at 14 inches, which gives you good leverage, and it's constructed from a single piece of steel that is unlikely to break.

The De Wit Standard (about $24) is hand-forged from quality steel that retains it's sharpness at the tip and along it's beveled edges. The strong, but lightweight, ash hardwood handle has a slight elasticity to allow it to give without breaking.

If you find yourself needing to move large amounts of soil, the Fiskars Big Grip (appx. $9) has an extra-wide scooping area, The oversized handle is padded to provide a sold grasp and reduce hand fatigue during long afternoons of gardening.

The Nisaku Hori-Hori (around $19) digging knife is best at eliminating weeds at their roots, loosening the hardest soil, and separating plants that need some cutting, like irises or hostas. The included leather storage sheath is a great reminder to clean it to prolong its life.

The Edward Tools Bend-Proof (about $10) is built for working in rocky or heavy clay areas. The ergonomic handle is equipped with contoured finger grips, but note that it is a bit oversized, so those with small hands may find it to be too large to wield easily.

When you know you'll have a lot of plant roots to separate, you might want to add the budget-friendly Corona CT Transplanter (appx. $10) to your toolkit. One edge is serrated for light cutting and ripping open bags, while the comfort gel handle provides a finger guard.

When every pound counts, the Grizzly Peak Backpacker (around $6) weighs under two ounces, so you can slip it in your bag for camping or hiking trips where no bathroom facilities will be available. There's even a depth gauge to ensure that you bury your waste deep enough.

The Homegrown Garden Tools Transplanter (about $12) is engraved with measurements in both inches and centimeters on the front, which comes in very handy when dealing with several varieties of bulb that need to be planted at different depths.

The DeWit Bad Ass (around $74) might be too heavy and prohibitively expensive for some, but if you need a tool that can't possibly break in half, this solid option is formed from one piece of Swedish boron steel. It's worth the price if you regularly dig in compacted, rocky soil.

The handle of the Radius Garden 100 (appx. $10) comes in an unusual shape that provides leverage and reduces hand and wrist strain. While it isn't comfortable for everyone, it's an interesting choice for those with arthritis or carpel tunnel syndrome to try.