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 2016, we had a lot a fabulous products to choose from, including some new introductions, as well as some that have been around the block a few times. Our reviewers weighed in with their favorites and we also heard from many of our readers. 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.

After weighing the pros and cons of all of the gardening products, we’re proud to announce the 2016 winners of the Golden Shovel Awards!

2016 Golden Shovel Award Winners – Editor’s Choice

	EZ-Stow Hauler™ The EZ-Stow Hauler™ is a versatile and easy to use garden cart that can be towed behind a tractor or used as a wheelbarrow. It’s sturdy folds flat for storage, and holds up to 800 lbs. If you have a larger property, this is the cart for you.
	Troy-Bilt TB4300 Cordless Blower Simply put, if you have the cash, want to go cordless, and want a superior quality product, buy the Troy-Bilt TB4300 Blower. It met all my expectations and then some. It’s a solid performer that can be stacked up against any gas, cordless, or corded blower in its class.
	Redback 40V Cordless String Trimmer / Edger With plenty of power, supreme edging, and long battery run times, this well-balanced and easily adjustable string trimmer/edger gets the job done.
	Fiskars Billhook Think of the 13″ Billhook as a “Leatherman” multi-tool, but used for the garden and landscape. As Fiskars puts it, “It’s a 6” hooked blade for trimming shoots and stems, dividing plants, edging borders, and more in your yard and garden”. It’s part hatchet, part machete, part hook-knife, part saw, part scraper, part weeder, and so much more.

2016 Golden Shovel Award Winner – Reader’s Choice

We also give a Readers’ Choice Award based on votes from our readers. Here’s the 2016 winner …

VegTrug Poppy Planter The stylish VegTrug Poppy Planter is a compact, elevated planter with a fabric liner that’s perfect for smaller spaces, such as your deck, patio or even in your yard. The vibrant color choices are very attractive and eye catching, and the stand is sturdy and well-made. It’s also a great idea for gardeners who cannot bend or stoop to the ground. It’s a good height for gardening standing up or sitting in a chair.

Congratulations to all of the 2016 winners!

See Past Golden Shovel Award Winners

• 2015
• 2014
• 2013