The 8 Best Garden Scooters
Special Honors
John Deere If the extent of your gardening is limited by the small size of your suburban lot, then a simple pull wagon might be all you need to haul your essentials out to your flower bed. But, for users with bigger properties and growing aspirations, sometimes that just won't cut it. John Deere's line of Gator Utility Vehicles are built tough enough to offer support to virtually any gardening operation, and some can support up to 2,000 pounds of cargo. deere.com
Kubota Whether you need something small to drive you and a few tools down to your plot, or something bigger that can seat a four-person crew, this company's line of utility vehicles have you covered. They offer open and enclosed models, as well as gasoline- and diesel-powered options. kubota.com
Editor's Notes
March 29, 2021:
It was a surprisingly busy round of updates, and one that saw more than half of our choices removed due to availability issues. By the time we were done, the models we’d eliminated were the Kotulas Deluxe, Gorilla Carts GCG, Gardener’s Supply Low Rider, Gardener’s Supply Deluxe and Vertex Easy Up Deluxe. Fortunately, we were able to find almost as many new choices to replace the ones we lost.
Some notable new inclusions are the Vertex Rolling Rocker — which, with an 11- to 14-inch height range, is a nice choice if you’re looking for a short option, but doesn’t offer any storage unless you want to spend almost double on the upgraded pick that has a seat cushion and some hanging pockets (which almost seems like it’s worth paying for ); the Goplus Patio Wagon — which sports two storage baskets and a 330-pound capacity; and the A.M. Leonard Swivel Seat — which has a design very similar to the Patio Wagon, but its 400-pound capacity beats out our option from Goplus by more than 20%. Both the Patio Wagon and the Swivel Seat feature wire baskets that look large enough to support a five-gallon pail, which is one easy way to drastically increase the amount of storage they offer, especially if said pail is equipped with a bucket caddy.
Garden scooters are great for a lot of situations, like dealing with medium-height crops and offering support to gardeners who have trouble crouching, but at other times, when you want to get right into that dirt, you might be better served by a garden kneeler. Or, consider an option like the Miracle-Gro 4-in-1, which serves as both.
February 11, 2020:
When choosing a garden scooter, there are two basic style choices that will serve different needs. An enclosed scooter is really a bin on wheels with a lid that is sturdy enough to sit on, and the open style may have a lot less storage, but the overall durability and function tends to be higher.
Gardeners who plant a lot of annuals in the spring or just tend to bring a lot of supplies with them will appreciate choices like the Suncast Garden or the Ames Lawn Buddy. Once filled with plants and tools, you can drag them all to your destination, and then have a place to sit when placing your flowers. Because this style is always made of plastic (or it would just be way too heavy to transport), larger users may exceed the weight limit. If you spend long hours every summer weeding, you might also want to consider a longer lasting, metal body.
We added the Kotulas Deluxe to the top spot because it's metal construction will stand up to hours of sitting and rolling (up to 400 pounds), plus the seat has a back and is covered with a "tool belt" on the back to add a lot more storage than most of the metal scooters on the market.
Even though the wheels on the Miracle-Gro 4-in-1 aren't very durable for scooting, we kept this rolling option on the list because the innovative top provides a seat on one side and a foam padded kneeling spot on the other, while keep all your supplies in a compact rolling base.
Choosing The Right Garden Scooter
If you can handle a weightier model, metal scooters are generally more durable and a good option for heavier usage.
If you spend a lot of time in the garden, it's only a matter of time before you'll start to experience the aches and pains that come with the constant bending, kneeling, and lifting. A garden scooter can go a long way towards alleviating your discomfort and possibly prevent further injuries. A garden scooter is basically a moving seat that saves your back and knees from wear and tear. Beyond that, each model has various design features to make your gardening experience easier.
For gardeners of a certain age, the weight of your unit might be a deciding factor in your choice. While they all come with durable wheels, consider your landscape and where you will be storing your scooter to determine how often you may need to lift it. If you'll be storing it behind other items in the garage, or have any barriers in your yard that you'll need to lift the unit over, make sure the scooter you buy is a comfortable weight. You'll find plenty of plastic options that weigh less than 10 pounds.
Many plastic garden scooters are essentially little storage bins on wheels. This can be helpful if you like to keep a full set of tools within reach. These handy bins can be time-savers by having all your tools, gloves, and bug spray organized and ready to go. Or you can use the space for plants or any goodies you harvest, saving you even more time and energy. Some even have built-in drink holders. One downside of these models is that they tend to sit a little higher off the ground and the height isn't adjustable, so evaluate your height needs before choosing one of these styles.
If you can handle a weightier model, metal scooters are generally more durable and a good option for heavier usage. For better ergonomics and flexibility, their seats are usually adjustable, and they can swivel, so you'll get more done from one spot. The best metal options will offer a small amount of storage, either as an attached basket or underneath the seat. Also, because they tend to be heavy, look for a unit with a pull handle for easier transport at the end of a long day.
Most metal garden scooters have sturdier, heavy-duty wheels that will stand up to all kinds of terrain for years. An added bonus is that these models have a higher weight capacity to accommodate a wider range of users. Besides its weight, the only other downside to a metal scooter is that it could rust if left out in the rain too often.
Other Uses For Garden Scooters
Once you have a garden scooter, you'll realize that you never want to complete a task in the crouching position again. There are plenty of other outdoor tasks that can be made easier with a garden scooter. If you like to wash and detail your car at home, you can finish the bottom half of the car without kneeling or bending. A long, low fence that needs to be cleaned or painted can also be taken care of in relative comfort.
There are plenty of other outdoor tasks that can be made easier with a garden scooter.
One place in many homes that often gets neglected is the baseboards. They are at an awkward angle to be cleaned with a broom or mop, yet there they sit, collecting grime and dust. When you paint a room, you might even consider skipping them to save your knees. A garden scooter is the perfect height for you to zip around the room and restore those baseboards to a brilliant white with minimum effort.
Grandparents (and older parents, as well) can find it difficult to spend time on the floor with little ones, no matter how much fun there is to be had. With a garden scooter, you can join Junior at the train table (and even have the mobility to push the trains around) for countless hours, enjoy a few board games on the playroom floor, or interact with a baby during tummy time. You may find you need a second, non-muddy, garden scooter for inside the house.
Staying Healthy In The Garden
While some consider gardening a relaxing hobby, known to lower blood pressure and burn calories, it's always wise to remember there are some hidden dangers. Weekend warriors tend to over do it, and are especially prone to unnecessary aches and pains. Investing in the proper tools and effort-saving equipment like a garden scooter is a good first step. Stretching before-hand and using proper lifting technique goes a long way in preventing injuries.
Accidental cuts are always a danger when performing any household task, but any time your break the skin while gardening, you risk exposing yourself to tetanus bacteria.
Depending on where you live, you'll need to take precautions to protect yourself from disease-carrying pests. If your yard is located near a wooded area, always check yourself for ticks after spending time in the garden. Wear long pants and long sleeves if possible, and it's a good idea to wear a hat and tuck your pants inside your socks. Nearly everyone will need to wear mosquito repellent, especially in areas where West Nile virus is prevalent.
Accidental cuts are always a danger when performing any household task, but any time your break the skin while gardening, you risk exposing yourself to tetanus bacteria. This painful and often deadly disease can be easily prevented by getting the tetanus vaccine every 10 years. Check with your doctor to make sure you are up to date before getting out into the garden.
Most of us are conditioned to wear sunscreen at the beach, but a long hot afternoon in the garden also warrants an application, especially on the back of your neck, which gets direct exposure for hours while you are bending over. Consider wearing a hat. On exceptionally warm days, try planning your day around the movement of the sun to stay in the shade as much as you can. Drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks to prevent heat stroke.