THE BIG HAUL

WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS, HEAVY LIFTING IN THE GARDEN GETS A LOT EASIER. THESE ARE OUR FAVORITES!

- Jennifer Howell

A wheelbarrow tray like the BurroBuddy makes carrying tools even easier.

Gardening is more enjoyable if you don’t have to schlep bags of soil and piles of debris across the yard in your arms.

If you have room to store one, you just can’t beat a wheelbarrow or cart for moving things around. Not sure which one is right for you? We’ll break down the features that can help you decide. Then turn the page to see our favorite carrying tools for specific tasks and smaller spaces.

WHEELBARROW

This workhorse’s two lever handles and pivoting wheel and axle allow you to lift, move and dump heavier loads than you could carry alone. However, you may need extra arm strength to keep a load steady.

With the single front wheel, a wheelbarrow is intended to be pushed, not pulled, but it allows dumping in several directions. It’s easy to pour contents in a directed spot, such as scattering mulch between two plants. It also makes the wheelbarrow very maneuverable, especially in tight spaces and over sloped ground.

The Yardworks® Poly Utility Dump Cart has solid sides and bottom.

What it does best

Moving loose materials, such as mulch, soil, debris and rock, is the kind of job at which the wheelbarrow excels. Sloped sides make bags easy to load and unload.

Useful variations

Collapsible canvas wheelbarrows work well for lighter jobs and store conveniently folded up. Heavy-duty metal models can move rock and concrete, while those made with durable resin plastic weigh less and are suitable for most garden jobs.

GARDEN CART