The Best Garden Toolkit for Dad
Skeptical of all-in-ones? So were we. But this garden set changed our minds!
Photo by Jeffrey Cross
I’ll admit I was skeptical—tools that come apart and fit in a case seem more like a cute gimmick than the real deal. Whoa, I was wrong.
Turns out the mastermind behind Utah-based RedHed Tools, landscape contractor Rick Meinzer, resorted to making his own tools after tiring of buying tools that couldn’t stand up to heavy work. “It seems like tools today are almost disposable—like they’re built to break down so you have to buy more,” he told me when I interviewed him for our June issue.
Meinzer has a deep appreciation of classic, quality-built Americana. He has a collection of old coke machines and restored gas pumps, “With a little love, they’re just as beautiful as the day they were built.”
That got him thinking: How could he make quality tools that would last? And just to make it more fun—he thought he’d also solve the problem he had of fitting tools into his trailer.
The answer? Two years of development and trials that resulted in a product that’s strong as can be. The shovel head is the thickest you can buy (“Any thicker and it wouldn’t bend into shape,” he explains) and totally corrosion-resistant, obviously. The handle is hickory—same as a baseball bat. And let’s talk about that connection joint—the tools come apart and snap together so you can a) fit them into a small space, and b) use them with different length of handles. The dirt-resistant, patent-pending connecting system self aligns with zero ball bearing. It’s just insert, twist, click.
Here we are, putting them to use while setting up our new raised beds:
Photo by Thomas J. Story
So, dear readers, if your dad likes to shovel as much as we do, get him a kit ASAP. And if you have a badass mama, no need to wait a year.
Dad Might Need a Garden Hose, Too
Best Overall: Flexzilla Garden Lead-In Hose
It’s flexible yet durable, kink resistant and virtually leak-proof — no wonder it has more than 4,000 five-star reviews. It even stays flexible in cold weather.
Best Hose for Longevity
A persistent complaint among owners of expandable hoses is that they spring leaks too easily. The TBI Pro is flexible yet sturdy, so leaks aren’t a worry.
Best Chew-Proof Hose
Of all the ways to dog-proof a garden, the hose can be the trickiest. Even the best doggos chew things they’re not supposed to from time to time! If your good boi keeps leaving chomp marks on your hose, switch to a steel number that won’t get holes.
Best Coil Garden Hose
Coil hoses can be kind of a crapshoot, quality-wise — they have a tendency to Slinky themselves into a tangle. But they’re so dang convenient when they work properly! This one coils itself up like a champ, doesn’t kink, and it’s sturdy and durable. Our favorite 5-star Amazon review puts it thusly: “I am happy to report approximately 100% of the water from the spigot passes through to the end of the hose.”
Best Hose from Which to Drink
For people who like to drink from the garden hose (is there anything more refreshing?) or need to convey safe drinking water to an RV tank, the Camco hose is the best-rated out there. Being lead- and BPA-free means it’s probably the best bet for hooking up to the kids’ sprinkler, too.
Best Hose Nozzle
While we love the feel of the traditional garden nozzle with a handle, we find they’re not the most durable when repeatedly dropped on the ground. The Bon-Aire costs a little more, but it’ll last forever (as long as you opt for the steel model, which is sturdier than the fiberglass/aluminum number). It’s also easier on arthritic hands than a squeeze-handle model.
Best Hose Reel
If you have a spare foot or so of ground space, we prefer a free-standing garden hose reel over a wall-mounted version. For one thing, you can’t set a potted plant or glass of wine on a wall-mounted unit! This one reels in easily, keeping the hose (up to 225 feet of it) out of sight and out of the way.
