Geoff Hodge tests trowels for transplanting and planting

BEST TRANSPLANTER

Amtech Deluxe Potting Trowel, £9.99. This trowel has a 14x5.5cm (5½x2¼in) polished aluminium blade with fine, serrated teeth on its edges, which cut through even quite compact, heavy soil with ease. The wrap-around, ‘knuckle duster’, plastic handle protected my fingers from damage and grazing across the ground. It features a thumb point to concentrate greater force into the blade. Well-defined planting graduations on the blade. Supplier: Amtech, 01895 435556; www.amtechdiy. com.

BEST STAINLESS STEEL TROWEL

Bulldog Tools Pedigree Transplant Trowel, £10.80 This has a large, 15x7cm (6x2¾in) curved, winged, stainless steel blade with a sharp tip, which cut into the soil and scooped up good amounts for speedy digging up and replanting. The large 9cm (3½in) tang (angle between blade and handle) helped provide a good angle of a ack and protect my fingers from scraping the ground. Comfortable, smooth, ash handle and planting graduations on the blade. Supplier: Bulldog Tools, 01279 401570; www. pedigreegarden. co.uk.

BEST CARBON STEEL TROWELS

Wilkinson Sword Carbon Steel & Spear & Jackson Elements Transplanting Trowels, £4.99 Both feature 15x6cm (6x2¼in) curved, winged, carbon steel blades with a sharp tip, making them easy to push into the soil and move good amounts. They feature hard-wearing, epoxy-coated blades – providing resistance to rust and scratches – and comfortable ash handles, that of the Wilkinson Sword model being thinner and more suited to those with small hands. Suppliers: Spear & Jackson, 0114 281 4242; www.spear-andjackson.com. Wilkinson Sword, 01869 363635; www. wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk.