The Best Trowel
by Rommy Lopat

ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED: 2000 Winter

THE BEST TROWEL My appeal in the last issue for the "ultimate trowel" has paid off.

The first recommendation came from Pauline Clausen of Rockford, IL, who says that the best trowel is sold by Pinetree Garden Seeds, located in New Gloucester, Maine (207) 926-3400. It is a Wilcox All Pro Model 202S, 3" wide and 14" long, made of stainless steel. At $10.98, it sounds like a steal. Pauline swears by it--it's her favorite gift to other gardeners.

Next came a recommendation from Herb Zuegel (Park Ridge, IL) who said to look for Polar Products Stainless Steel Model T-14, made in the USA. Herb reports that "it is simple: one piece, strong, sharp. It has depth markings on the back of the blade, and the handle is a bicycle handlebar rubber grip." He believes he bought it at Pesche's Garden Center in DesPlaines, IL.

My friend Susi swears by Garden Tools of Maine, sold via its own website or also by Pinetree. Another reader (my apologies: I can't find your name) recommended a trowel from Frank's Nursery and Crafts.

The last and most priceless trowel came via a phone call from Philip Wheelock, brother of TWG subscriber Richard Wheelock of McHenry, IL. Within an hour of his phone call to me, he put in my hands a gift of his own homemade trowel, forged from leftover WWII shovels and "recycled" handles from broken tools. Honed to razor sharpness, the trowel is a masterpiece. Its durability means I will be able to treasure it always. Phil lives in Colorado. He read of my trowel-less plight while visiting here, and he just happened to have an extra trowel in his luggage. My kind of guy! Thank you so much, Phil!

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