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New Gardening Tools

© Diana Pederson

Seventeen years of gardening has taught me the value of purchasing high quality gardening tools. I've purchased far too many trowels that broke within a few days of use. I've also purchased numerous pruners. Some managed to last an entire summer; others had to be replaced soon after purchase.

This spring, as a member of the National Home Gardening Club, I was asked to test the Cutco Transplant Trowel. I was able to begin using it in late April. This is the very first trowel I haven't managed to bend or break within a short time period. Needless to say, I was impressed! Therefore, I contacted the company and asked to test their Cutco Ratchet Pruner with the intent of writing about my experiences with each of these garden tools.

Manufacturer's Specifications

The transplant trowel is made of rust resistant 410 stainless steel that won't bend or break. It measures 12 3/4 inches long and 2-5/8 inches wide. It has measurements on the blade of the trowel to make it easy to plant seeds or bulbs at the correct depth. The transplant trowel is intended for tight spots, repotting and other small garden jobs. Its pointed tip is expected to retain its edge. The handle is made of Santoprene®, a combination of rubber and plastic. It has comfortable finger holds. The handle is orange and black.

Cutco's ratchet pruner is made of 1074 high carbon steel. The non-stick coated blade is super-sharp and makes smooth cuts on branches up to ¾ inch thick. Cutco claims the ratchet mechanism increases cutting power up to seven times - this fact is important to me since I have little hand strength. The pruner has texturized slip resistant handles made of a rubberized plastic.

My Recommendation

Outstanding is the only appropriate word to describe my reaction to these new tools. The transplant trowel is easy to use. It digs right through clay soil without difficulty. I've used the ratchet pruner on several of my shrubs with no difficulty. These pruners are lighter weight than any others I have used. They've cut through the branches on my shrubs without difficulty. I expect to use these tools for the rest of my life.

The transplant trowel sells for $38 and the pruner costs $66. Cutco products are only available through their dealers. Go to cutco.com to find a dealer near you. I realize the price seems a bit high. Just remember that they are made of steel and guaranteed to last forever!