Via Merchant
For owners of Ego Multi-Head Systems (available separately), the compatible Ego Power+ Cultivator Attachment gives you the freedom to churn over topsoil anywhere on your property.
It’s powered by a 56-volt lithium-ion battery. Simply click the attachment into the solid steel shaft and go to work. Heavy-duty steel tines adjust from 8- to 9-1/2-inches. The variable-speed trigger lets you increase the force for digging in denser dirt, then reduce it when working in softer soil.
What to Consider When Buying a Garden Cultivator
Here are a few essential things to consider when shopping for the best garden cultivator:
- Plot dimensions: Size matters. With a larger cultivator, you can work a big area more efficiently. For a tiny garden, a hand-held cultivator may be all you need. “Smaller gardens may require a compact, handheld cultivator, while larger areas might benefit from a more powerful gas or electric model,” says Friemuth.
- Depth and type of soil: Are you working with rocky or clay soil, or planting in soft flower beds? If the former, you may need a combo cultivator/tiller.”Look for cultivators with adjustable depth settings to have better control over how deep the machine goes into the soil,” shares Friemuth.
- Ease of use: Wheeled cultivators increase mobility and offer better traction, especially for uneven and hilly terrain. “Look for extra-large handles with a comfortable grip,” Dubow says.
- Power: Options include gas or electric (cordless or corded). For cordless, choose one with a long-lasting battery pack. For corded, be sure there’s an electrical outlet nearby and/or use a long extension cord.
- Material: Since these tools live outside, whether kept in a shed or not, look for durable materials like steel. If you want wood handles, find ones that can be removed and replaced.
- Tine/blade length: The tine length determines how deeply you can cultivate the soil. Four inches is standard, and Dubow says you don’t need to exceed six inches.
- Weight: If you’ve got raised flower beds or narrow rows of plantings, the lighter and more compact a cultivator is, the easier it is to handle.
- Cost: Depending on whether the cultivator is hand-held or motorized, large or small, you can spend anywhere from $15 to $600.
How We Found the Best Garden Cultivators
For this article, we heavily relied on professional input to help us get a bigger picture of the garden cultivator market. We also turned to brands we know and trust, hands-on testing, professional testimony and customer reviews. We paid special attention to the cultivators’ ease of use, effectiveness, durability, lasting power and more. Then, we narrowed our complete list to this array of garden cultivators representing the best available for purchase.
Why You Should Trust Us
I, Toni DeBella, am a culture and lifestyle writer with extensive experience in review/product content and landscaping and gardening content. So, I know how to find durable, reliable products for any gardener. Other topics I’ve researched and written about include stand-up weed pullers, lawn aerators and cordless snow blowers. My well-researched work has appeared in numerous trusted publications, including Family Handyman, The Telegraph, Fodor’s, Italy Magazine, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides, and Orvieto or Bust.
For this piece, we consulted Bill Friemuth and Katie Dubow. Bill is the president of Centurion Brands. He’s a seasoned expert in garden tools, appearing on QVC and HSN and addressing audiences at events like the Philadelphia Flower Show. Katie is a gardening expert and president of Garden Media. She travels the world scouting and presenting garden trends to different audiences. They both are more than qualified to speak on gardening subjects, including garden cultivators.
FAQ
What is the difference between a garden tiller and a cultivator?
A lawn tiller is typically used to break up hard, compacted soil. However, garden cultivators are usually intended to mix up loose soil, allowing gardeners to add fertilizer, compost, etc., to prepare the soil for new planting. In short, lawn tillers are more heavy-duty than garden cultivators (and garden cultivators may be better for more precise work).
What is the difference between a cultivator and a transplanter?
As mentioned above, cultivators are designed to turn the soil. Transplanters, by contrast, are used to move specific plants from one place to another without disturbing the roots. Cultivators are soil-focused and used in soil free of existing plants, whereas transplanters are used for moving existing plants.
Can you till a garden with a cultivator?
It is possible to till a garden without a cultivator. Still, it is exceptionally time-consuming (especially for larger plots of land) and requires hard, back-breaking labor compared to automated cultivators.