2017 Golden Shovel Awards for Best Gardening Product
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At the end of each year, the Gardening Products Review takes a close look at all of the products we’ve reviewed that year. We then award up to five products with the Golden Shovel Award for outstanding garden product.
In 2017, we had so many great products to choose from, including some new introductions, as well as some that have been around the block a few times. We revisited some of the products that we reviewed earlier in the year, checked how well products were holding up after extended use, and looked at which items got the most use from our testers and home gardeners.
You, our readers, also got to vote and choose our Readers’ Choice Award for 2017.
After weighing the pros and cons of all of the gardening products, we’re proud to announce the 2017 winners of the Golden Shovel Awards! Congratulations to all the winners!
2017 Golden Shovel Award Winners – Editor’s Choice
Breez R2 Propane Tiller CultivatorAs the first-ever propane powered tiller, we were intrigued by the Breez R2 Propane Tiller Cultivator. And it did not disappoint. As our reviewer said: “Hypothetically, let’s say my wife were to say to me, ‘You have so many tillers in the garage, we can’t even fit one car inside. Can you just keep one, and get rid of the rest?’ Hypothetically, I would tell her, ‘I’m keeping the Breez R2.’ Because I am.” |
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Redback 40V 12” Li-Ion Cordless ChainsawThis chainsaw has all the necessary power to cut through anything from small brush to 10.5” logs, making it comparable to a consumer-grade, gasoline-powered chainsaw. It’s lightweight, easy to use, has a plethora of built-in safety features and is sturdy enough to tackle just about anything. We recommend it without any reservations – it’s simply the best cordless chainsaw we’ve tested to date. |
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The Aeroflex™ Expanding Garden HoseAfter being disappointed by so many expanding garden hoses, we were pleasantly surprised how much we liked this hose. It really is kink free, lightweight but very durable, and easy to coil or store away. Plus, unlike other expandable hoses, it stretches to a full-size 5/8 inch diameter and 50 feet in length. |
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Scroll Trellis Adjustable TrellisIf you want to grow vines up a pole or post, or in a narrow space on a wall, then the Scroll Trellis is the perfect solution. At only 4″ wide, it’s easy to fit into tight spots. And the adjustable length (up to 9 feet) let’s you use it in many different locations. It’s durable, easy to install, simple to use, and reasonably priced. Vines quickly scramble up it to cover both the trellis and the underlying structure. |
2017 Golden Shovel Award Winner – Readers’ Choice
We also give a Readers’ Choice Award based on votes from our readers. This year the voting was fierce and we had almost a dead tie for first place. So we decided to award two winners for 2017.
Yard Force 120V RX Lithium-Ion Cordless BlowerWith three different power settings, this blower works in all sorts of situations. Will this help you to keep the cleanest yard in town? Absolutely. Do we recommend it to others? Absolutely, but with the caveat that power comes at the expense of some heft. Do we think this is the best cordless leaf blower we’ve used to date? That would be a great big YES. |
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Stanley FATMAX Hybrid Forged Bypass Pruner BDS6054With wider, contoured and fully rubberized handles, as well as an integrated spring and bumper, this pruner has some nice improvements over the typical bypass pruner. However, those with smaller hands may find the handles too large and it won’t readily cut more than 1/2-inch material. Overall, this is a good performer with a ½ inch diameter cutting capacity. |
Congratulations to all of the 2017 winners!