Made entirely of entirely of stainless steel, the new hand trowel was inspired by a trowel found by Sid Hill in his late grandmother’s shed in 2023.
Hill grew up in a family of gardeners, where gardening was not just an occupation, but a way of life. His grandparents, parents – everyone had green fingers. The shovel, most likely made by his grandfather, had been happily in use for many years. On finding it, Hill took it with him and used it in his own garden and work, where he discovered how pleasantly it worked.
In 2024, Hill took the trowel to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, to work in the UK Microbiome Garden, which he designed in collaboration with Chris Hull. Spotted at the show by Dutch garden tool manufacturer, Sneeboer, they decided to remake it, with the same simplicity and solidity as the original.
Hill describes it as a “modest tool, but with history in its handle and a design that cuts effortlessly through the earth”. The result is a hand spade that, like the original, should last for generations to come.
Trialled at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Sneeboer’s owner, Sjoerd Sneeboer informed thedirt.news that the new Thornett Trowel “has proven its business potential” on account of it being virtually sold out at the show, but that they need some time to improve on the production process. The company is working towards bringing the new Thornett Trowel to market at the end of the summer.
