Gardening is a beloved pastime for many Americans, and having high-quality, durable tools can make the experience even more enjoyable. Luckily, there are still many excellent gardening tools made right here in the USA by skilled craftsmen using premium materials. Here are some of the best American made gardening tools and brands:
Hand Tools
For hand tools like trowels, cultivators, and weeders, look for these top American made options:
CobraHead Weeder and Cultivator
The CobraHead is a versatile hand tool that combines the functions of a weeder, cultivator, edger, transplanter and digger into one durable implement. Key features include:
- Blade made from tempered steel for strength and sharpness
- Curved blade shape is perfect for weeding, digging, edging and more
- Recycled plastic handle is comfortable to grip
- Blade and handle are firmly attached for durability
- At 13″ long, it provides good leverage while still being easy to control
The CobraHead’s unique blade shape and strong steel construction make it an efficient multi-purpose gardening tool that’s made to last. It’s ideal for removing weeds, loosening soil, digging holes for planting, edging beds and other precision tasks.
Red Pig Garden Tools
Red Pig Garden Tools is a family-owned company in Oregon that hand forges premium quality garden tools using traditional blacksmithing techniques. They make a variety of hand tools including trowels, cultivators, weeders and more. Notable aspects include:
- Forged by hand from strong, durable steel
- Heated in a forge and shaped on an anvil for superior strength
- Sharpened edges slice through soil and weeds
- Smooth, comfortable wooden handles
- Heirloom quality tools that can be passed down generations
- Wide selection of tool types for different gardening tasks
By hand forging high-carbon steel and using time-tested designs, Red Pig tools are exceptionally strong, sharp and long-lasting compared to mass-produced tools. The care and craftsmanship results in tools that are a pleasure to use.
Bully Tools
Bully Tools is an Ohio-based manufacturer of gardening tools, striking tools, lawn and snow removal equipment. Their gardening hand tools are known for being tough and dependable. Features include:
- Forged from extra-thick 12-gauge steel for durability
- Welded I-beam construction provides strength and won’t bend
- Comfortable polypropylene handles are firmly attached
- Shovels and trowels have sharpened edges to penetrate soil
- Backed by a limited lifetime warranty
By using heavy-duty steel and sound construction techniques, Bully Tools makes hand tools that can stand up to intensive gardening use without bending or breaking. Their trowels, shovels and cultivators are built for hard work. In summary, CobraHead, Red Pig, and Bully Tools are three of the top brands for American made gardening hand tools.
Whether forged by master craftsmen or manufactured with extra-sturdy materials, these tools deliver lasting quality, strength and performance to make gardening jobs easier. With proper care, they can provide a lifetime of reliable service.
Long-Handled Tools
When it comes to long-handled tools like shovels, hoes, and rakes, consider these American made choices:
Bully Tools
In addition to their durable hand tools, Bully Tools manufactures a range of heavy-duty long-handled tools in Ohio. Key features include:
- Forged from extra-thick 12 or 14-gauge steel for strength
- Triple wall fiberglass handles are lightweight yet extremely strong
- Handles are attached with a solid steel ferrule and will not loosen
- Sharpened blades on hoes and spades penetrate tough soil
- Welded steel braces on shovels and spades for added durability
- Variety of tools like garden hoes, spades, edgers, rakes and more
Bully’s American-made long-handled tools are designed to tackle demanding gardening jobs. The thick steel construction and sturdy fiberglass handles provide the durability needed for tasks like breaking ground, removing sod, digging holes and cleaning up yard waste.
Lehman’s
Lehman’s, located in Ohio Amish country, is known for their extensive selection of old-fashioned, non-electric merchandise. They offer an impressive variety of USA-made long-handled gardening tools such as:
- Hoes in various styles – field, warren, nursery, grub, scuffle, etc.
- Cultivators and tillers for breaking up and aerating soil
- Spades and shovels for digging and moving material
- Garden rakes for leveling soil and collecting leaves
- Carts and wheelbarrows for hauling supplies and harvests
- Unique tools like broadforks, U-bars, bed preparation rakes
Many of Lehman’s long-handled tools are crafted by Amish artisans using traditional methods. With dozens of different tools to choose from, Lehman’s is a one-stop-shop for outfitting your garden shed with heirloom-quality, American-made implements.
Garrett Wade
Garrett Wade is a trusted source for premium tools, and their garden tool selection includes a curated assortment of long-handled items made by some of the finest US manufacturers. Some standouts are:
- Hi-Reach Fruit Picker with cushioned cradle for picking fruit
- Super Penetration Shovel with extra-long blade for digging
- Lesche Digging Tool for weeding, planting and light cultivation
- Spear Head Spade with sharpened blade for cutting roots
- Grampa’s Weeder with long handle to remove weeds while standing
While Garrett Wade may not have as many options as Lehman’s, each long-handled tool they carry is thoughtfully designed and skillfully made for exceptional performance and longevity. These are high-end tools for discerning gardeners.
When it comes to long-handled gardening tools, Bully, Lehman’s and Garrett Wade are three of the best sources for top-quality, American-made products. Whether you need a heavy-duty spade for demanding digging, a specialized weeding tool, or a well-balanced fruit picker, you can find the right implement made by skilled US craftsmen. With proper care, these long-handled tools will serve you well in the garden for many years to come.
Specialty Tools
For more specialized gardening tasks, check out these unique American made tools:
ProPlugger 5-in-1 Planting Tool
The ProPlugger is a versatile planting tool that makes quick work of planting plugs, seedlings, bulbs and bedding plants. Notable features include:
- 5-in-1 functionality: planting, soil coring, weeding, sod cutting, bulb planting
- Depth rings on the tool show how deep to plant for optimal results
- Ejects soil plug after digging, leaving a perfect hole for planting
- Serrated edge cuts through roots and sod
- Solid steel construction with a comfortable, non-slip handle
- Lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects
The ProPlugger has depth rings at 2″, 4″ and 6″ that act as guides for how deep to plant different bulbs and plants. This takes the guesswork out of planting at the proper depth for optimal growth. You can easily remove the rings if you need to dig deeper holes.
The tool’s serrated edge slices cleanly through sod and small to medium roots, letting you plant in tight spots right next to existing plants. After pushing the ProPlugger into the soil and twisting, the plug of soil stays inside the tool. You can dig multiple holes in succession without needing to stop and empty the tube.
When you’re ready, simply turn the ProPlugger upside down and the soil plugs slide right out, leaving behind perfectly sized planting holes. You can then amend the soil if needed and drop in bulbs, plants or seeds. The ProPlugger’s long handle and foot pegs let you do all this while standing upright, saving strain on your back and knees.
Constructed from powder-coated steel, the ProPlugger is built to last through many planting seasons. The padded handle provides a comfortable, non-slip grip. At around 5 lbs, it has some heft to it, which helps drive the tool into the soil, but may fatigue some users during extended use. The ProPlugger XL model makes 2 1/8″ diameter holes, suitable for most bulbs and plugs.
In summary, the ProPlugger 5-in-1 is a well-designed and sturdily constructed planting tool that can save home gardeners and landscapers significant time and effort. By combining multiple functions into one implement and allowing the user to dig holes while standing, it makes quick work of planting jobs, from a flat of annuals to hundreds of bulbs. Its ability to cleanly cut through sod and soil makes it useful for planting in both new beds and established gardens.
While it requires some strength to use and may be overkill for small jobs, the ProPlugger is an efficient and durable choice for many planting needs.
Grampa’s Weeder
Grampa’s Weeder, available from Garrett Wade, is a stand-up weeding tool that removes weeds without bending or kneeling. Key aspects are:
- 45″ long handle lets you weed while standing upright
- Stainless steel claw grabs weeds and pulls out the entire root
- Bamboo handle is lightweight and weather-resistant
- Leather hanging strap for convenient storage
- Handmade in Pennsylvania by a family-owned business since 1937
The standout feature of Grampa’s Weeder is its long handle, which measures 45″ in length. This allows you to comfortably grip the tool while standing fully upright, eliminating the need to kneel down or bend over repeatedly to pull weeds. For anyone who has experienced back pain or knee strain from prolonged weeding sessions, this is a game-changer. You can weed for longer periods with much less fatigue and discomfort.
At the business end of the tool, you’ll find a sharp, claw-like blade made from durable stainless steel. The claw design is perfect for grabbing onto weeds securely, even if they’re nestled in tight spaces between patio stones or garden plants. Once you’ve got a grip on the weed, a simple pull is all it takes to remove the entire plant, roots and all. This is important because if you don’t get the whole root system, the weed is likely to grow right back. Grampa’s Weeder makes it quick and easy to pluck out weeds in their entirety.
The 45″ handle is crafted from lightweight yet strong bamboo, which has several advantages. Firstly, the bamboo construction keeps the overall weight of the tool down, so your arms won’t get tired as quickly during extended weeding sessions. Secondly, bamboo is naturally weather-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about the handle rotting or deteriorating if you accidentally leave the tool out in the rain. With minimal care, the bamboo handle will last for many seasons.
Another thoughtful detail is the included leather hanging strap. After a satisfying weeding session, you can simply hang Grampa’s Weeder on a hook in your shed or garage, keeping it out of the way but still easily accessible for next time. No more tripping over tools left lying on the ground!
It’s worth noting that Grampa’s Weeder is still handmade in Pennsylvania by the same family-owned business that first created it back in 1937. In an era of mass-produced, disposable products, it’s refreshing to find a tool that’s crafted with such care and attention to detail. You can feel the quality and durability when you hold it in your hands.
Lesche Digging Tool
The Lesche Digging Tool, handcrafted by Red Pig Garden Tools in Oregon, is a heavy-duty tool for precision digging, planting and weeding. Standout features include:
- 13.5″ overall length with a 7″ blade
- Blade forged from 1/8″ thick hardened steel
- Sharpened blade cuts through sod and compacted soil
- Serrated edge saws through small roots
- Welded steel collar secures the blade to the handle
- Weather-resistant ash hardwood handle for strength and durability
The blade of the Lesche Digging Tool is forged from hardened 1/8″ thick steel, making it significantly stronger and more durable than typical garden trowels or shovels. The blade is heat-treated for added strength, allowing it to stand up to heavy-duty use like prying up paving stones or cutting through compacted soil and roots.
One side of the 7″ blade is sharpened to a knife edge, enabling it to slice cleanly through sod, weeds, and soil. The other side features a serrated edge that can saw through tough roots and vines[3]. This combination of a sharp blade and serrated saw edge makes the Lesche ideal for digging out stubborn weeds or removing roots in tight spaces where a traditional shovel is too large.
The blade attaches securely to the handle with a welded steel collar, ensuring it won’t come loose even under heavy prying and twisting forces. The handle itself is made from weather-resistant and durable ash hardwood. At 13.5″ in total length, the Lesche Digger is long enough to provide good leverage while remaining compact and maneuverable enough for precision work.
While designed as a gardening tool, the Lesche Digging Tool has also become a favorite among metal detectorists. Its sharp blade is perfect for carefully cutting soil plugs and precisely digging up detected objects. The strong blade can even be used for heavy-duty metal detecting tasks like digging in rocky soil or prying out objects.
Users praise the Lesche Digger’s solid construction, comfortable grip, and ability to stand up to intensive use. It has been described as a “super time saver” that makes digging much faster and easier compared to a conventional trowel or shovel. While not stainless steel and therefore susceptible to rust if not properly cared for, the Lesche’s thick hardened steel blade is extremely durable and can provide years of service.
In summary, the American-made Lesche Digging Tool is a rugged and cleverly designed soil knife that excels at precision digging, weeding, planting, and even metal detecting. With its 1/8″ thick heat-treated steel blade, sharp knife edge, serrated saw edge, and sturdy ash handle, it is a versatile tool that can handle tough gardening jobs with ease. Whether you’re a gardener or metal detectorist, the Lesche Digger is a well-crafted tool that will quickly become indispensable.
Bottom Line
When you buy American made gardening tools from skilled artisans, blacksmiths and family-owned businesses, you can expect superior quality, durability and craftsmanship. Many of these tools are handmade using time-tested techniques and are built to become lifelong garden companions. By choosing USA made garden gear, you support American manufacturing while getting top-notch tools that make gardening a delight.