Sneeboer Weeding Trowel & Perennial Spade
Sneeboer Weeding Trowel – Ash Handle: £50.95*
Sneeboer Perennial Spade – 57cm: £79.95*
*Price from Creeper & Knotweed correct at time of publishing.
Tested October 2026
I've known about Sneeboer for many years and have often admired their tools but these are the first I've had the opportunity to use myself, so I was pleased to have these tools sent by Creeper & Knotweed for testing and review and excited to see how they would perform during everyday work around the gardens.
First Impressions
Both tools feel well made, with nicely finished ash wood handles and solid, hand-forged stainless steel components. They're designed for quite different jobs, but both feel robust and well balanced.
The weeding trowel has a long, slender blade, while the perennial spade has rather unusual proportions. I was particularly intrigued by the latter, as it's much shorter than a traditional spade but considerably larger than a hand trowel.
Of course, good-looking tools don't necessarily make good tools, so the real test was how they performed in the gardens, including our notoriously heavy clay soil.
Sneeboer Weeding Trowel
Design & Construction
The weeding trowel measures 35cm in length and weighs just 240g. Its most distinctive feature is the long 18cm blade, which measures 5cm across at its widest point.
The blade is tapered and sharpened on both sides, with a V-shaped strengthening rib running along its length. The edges are noticeably sharp, almost knife-like, and the strengthening rib helps keep the blade rigid. The version I tested has an ash handle, which is nicely finished and comfortable to hold. The weeding trowel is also available with a cherry wood handle.
It's a simple design, but one that makes sense for a tool intended to get down alongside deep roots and remove weeds with as little disturbance to surrounding plants as possible.
Performance
I've been particularly impressed with how well it deals with deep-rooted weeds such as dandelions, docks and sow thistles. The long, narrow blade allows me to follow the roots down into the soil, helping to remove them while disturbing relatively little of the surrounding area.
I've also been planting tulip bulbs during the test period, and the long blade has proved ideal for this. It makes it easy to create neat planting holes at the required depth without disturbing too much soil around them.
Sneeboer also suggest using the blade to scrape the inside of terracotta pots clean and I can see how the long, narrow blade would be useful for getting into the pot and removing old compost and residue.
I can also imagine it being useful for planting sweet peas and other long-rooted seedlings, where a deep, narrow planting hole is needed.
Verdict
The Sneeboer Weeding Trowel is a very useful tool for anyone who regularly deals with deep-rooted weeds or carries out precise planting. I've found it particularly good for getting down alongside roots, and it's proved useful for planting bulbs too.
It's a simple, well-made tool that does its job very well and one I can see myself reaching for regularly when working in the borders. Highly Recommended.
Sneeboer Perennial Spade
Design & Construction
The perennial spade is available with either a 28cm or 42cm ash wood handle. For this review, I tested the 42cm version, which measures 57cm overall, with the handle measuring 42cm from the top of the grip to the top of the blade.
When I first saw it, I wondered whether it was intended to be used standing up or kneeling down. It's much shorter than a traditional spade, yet considerably larger than a hand trowel. It was only once I started using it that its purpose became clear.
The hand-forged stainless steel blade measures 14cm long by 13cm wide and is sharpened on both sides, finishing in a pointed tip to help it enter the soil easily. The shorter handle makes it comfortable to use from a kneeling position while still providing enough leverage for digging and dividing established plants.
Performance
I've used the perennial spade to lift and divide congested clumps of Pulmonaria, Hosta and Crocosmia. The pointed blade pushed into the clumps well and allowed me to work between neighbouring plants without disturbing them too much.
One job where it really came into its own was tackling an overgrown clump of Crocosmia. It allowed me to lift sections and split them cleanly before replanting.
I also found it useful when replanting the divided sections. Its compact size made it easy to prepare planting holes within established borders without having to move large amounts of soil or disturb nearby plants.
Verdict
The Sneeboer Perennial Spade is a very useful tool for dividing perennials and working in established borders. Its compact size makes it easy to work between neighbouring plants without disturbing too much of the surrounding soil.
Having used it throughout the test period, I can see why it has remained part of the Sneeboer range for so many years. It's well made, comfortable to use and a useful addition to any gardener's collection of tools. Highly Recommended.
Creeper & Knotweed kindly supplied the Sneeboer Weeding Trowel and Perennial Spade for testing and review at Barnsdale Gardens. This review reflects our own experience using both tools in real gardening conditions.
Our Tools on Test reviews are based on genuine day-to-day use at Barnsdale Gardens. Each tool or machine is assessed in real gardening conditions, from maintaining ornamental borders and lawns to working on our allotments and woodland areas, giving gardeners practical insights beyond the manufacturer's specifications.
Please note: The tool featured in this review is not sold by Barnsdale Gardens. Our assessment is based solely on practical use and is intended to help gardeners make informed decisions when choosing equipment.