Gardening tools on wooden surface, hand trowel with green handle, garden fork, spray bottle, metal sifter, seed packets, potted plant, rectangular planter in background

12 Old Garden Tools That Collectors Want

Old garden tools hold a special place for collectors and gardening enthusiasts alike. They offer a glimpse into the past and reflect the craftsmanship and practical design valued in earlier times.

These tools not only serve as collectibles but also tell stories about gardening traditions and innovations from decades ago.

Wooden Handled Garden Fork from early 1900s

Garden fork and spade leaning against a brown wooden fence, standing on a patch of dirt and gravel with scattered leaves and small plants
Image Credit: Kolforn- CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

You’ll find wooden handled garden forks from the early 1900s prized by collectors for their simple, durable design. These tools often feature solid wood handles with heavy iron tines, built to last through many seasons in the garden.

If you come across one, check the handle’s condition and the iron’s sturdiness.

Cast Iron Garden Rake with Wooden Handle

Wooden-handled garden rake, green metal tines, angled for use, white background, minimalistic design
Image Credit: Cyberscooty – CC0/Wiki Commons.

You’ll appreciate the sturdy feel of a cast iron garden rake paired with a wooden handle. These tools offer durability and a classic look that many collectors find appealing.

The heavy iron tines make raking tough soil or leaves easier. The wooden handle gives you a comfortable grip while working in your garden.

If you want a piece with authentic vintage charm, these rakes often show natural wear from years of use.

Vintage Steel Fern Trowel (circa 1910)

Hand trowel with a wooden handle, black metal scoop-shaped blade, placed on a wooden surface, used for gardening or digging small holes
Image Credit: DO’Neil – CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

You’ll appreciate the vintage steel fern trowel for its sturdy design and classic look. Made with steel and often featuring a wooden handle secured by brass rivets, it’s built to last.

This tool is perfect for delicate tasks like planting ferns or transplanting seedlings.

Early 20th Century Seed Planter

Antique wooden and metal seed planter with spoked wheels, labeled “Burr Platt Pana Ills. Norman Platt St. Louis Mo.,” featuring gears, levers, and seed compartments
Image Credit: Burr Platt and Norman Platt-CC0/Wikimedia Commons.

You’ll find early 20th-century seed planters valued by collectors for their simple, sturdy design. These tools helped gardeners plant seeds evenly and quickly, making your gardening tasks easier.

Many models feature a metal or wooden hopper to hold seeds. When you use one, it releases seeds in a controlled manner, improving planting accuracy.

Some also have unique brand markings that make them special for collectors.

Antique Garden Hoe with Wrought Iron Blade

Antique garden hoe with a long wooden handle and a wide wrought iron blade, resting on patchy green grass
Image Credit: Izvora – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons.

You’ll appreciate the sturdy design of antique garden hoes with wrought iron blades. These tools often feature a solid iron blade attached to a wooden handle, built to last through many seasons of work.

Many have unique details like rivet holes or socket fittings that show skilled craftsmanship.

Mid-Century Old Garden Claw Tool

Potted green plant, terracotta pots with one tipped over, spilled soil, garden hand tools including a fork and trowel, white daisy flower, grassy background
Image Credit: Katja B/Pexels.

You’ll find the mid-century garden claw a favorite among collectors. It often features sturdy metal tines attached to a wooden handle, showing both durability and classic design.

This tool helps you break up soil and aerate your garden with ease.

Rustic Bird Scarer from Victorian Era

Rotating rustic bird scarer in the middle of a crop field, simple metal and wood structure, designed to spin and create noise, placed in open farmland to deter birds, surrounded by green low vegetation, slightly foggy background
Image Credit: Michael Dibb- CC BY-SA 2.0/Wiki Commons.

You might find a Victorian-era bird scarer quite charming and full of history. These tools were hand-carved and used by farmers to keep birds away from crops.

Their rustic design shows the simple but effective craftsmanship of the time.

Hand Forged Scythe Blade

Young woman standing in a sunflower field, wearing a white blouse and a headscarf, holding a sickle in one hand, wiping her forehead with the other, blue sky in the background
Image Credit: Vika Glitter/Pexels.

If you appreciate tools with history, a hand forged scythe blade is worth your attention. These blades are made with care, often featuring hardened steel that stays sharp through tough cutting.

You’ll find a comfortable, ergonomic handle paired with the blade to make mowing grass or herbs easier.

Vintage Lawn Razor for Edging

Manual grass shears with blue handles, electric Bosch grass trimmer with black and red grip, both lying on green grass, used for lawn edging and trimming
Image Credit: KVDP – Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

You might find vintage lawn razors ideal for precise edging in your garden. These hand tools usually have long wooden handles and sharp blades designed to trim grass edges neatly.

Using one requires a steady hand, but it helps maintain clean lines along pathways or flower beds.

Mid-Century Garden Spade with Patina

Garden tools resting on grass, rusty pitchfork with four tines, well-worn shovel with wooden handle, surrounded by green lawn and scattered white petals
Image Credit: Erich Ferdinand – CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

You’ll often find mid-century garden spades with a charming patina, showing signs of rust and wear. This natural aging adds character and tells a story about its years of hard work.

These spades are typically made from sturdy metal and wood, designed to last through many gardening seasons.

Rare Brass Pruning Shears

Antique industrial shears, brass handles with a golden patina, large steel blades, tagged with label reading "COL 575", laid on a light gray surface
Image Credit: Auckland Museum- CC BY 4.0/Wiki Commons.

You’ll find rare brass pruning shears intriguing because of their unique material and design. Brass was used occasionally for handles or fittings, giving these tools a distinct look and some resistance to rust.

Collectors value them for their craftsmanship and old-world charm. If you come across a pair, handle them gently since brass can dent or wear over time.

Early American Wooden Dibber

Wooden dibber, T-shaped handle, pointed cylindrical tip, natural brown wood, visible grain texture, attached string loop for hanging, used for planting seeds or bulbs
Image Credit: Simon Speed – Public Domain/Wiki Commons.

You’ll find early American wooden dibbers to be simple yet effective tools. They were used to make holes in soil for seeds or bulbs.

Most are handcrafted from hardwood. Sometimes they have brass-tipped points for durability.

Their wooden handles often show wear from years of use. This adds to their charm.