How often do you find tall growing plants in a garden setting? Well, it’s not often, but we can mention trees or wall-growing plants. And if you have these, you need the best garden ladder to trim them.
People prefer using other tools like a stand to reach high places instead of purchasing a quality ladder, but it is a failure. If you think about it, once you buy a good ladder, you can use it for other purposes other than gardening.
So, if you are in the market for a good ladder, we have reviewed the best ladders that can fit your style in the garden. But first, you need to know the types of ladders you can find when researching. Have a look:
- Stepladders
- Tripod ladders
- Step stool
- Extension ladder
- Telescoping ladder
- Folding ladder
- Platform ladder
- Straight ladder
- Trestle ladder
- Multipurpose ladders.
Each type of ladder has a specific function and purpose, but you can choose any type unsuitable for gardening. The best garden ladder can withstand outdoor tasks, and that’s what you should look for.
So, let’s dive in and look at the best outdoor ladders you can purchase.
The best garden ladder.
Werner Fiberglass Tripod Ladder
The Werner brand from Mexico makes the best garden tripod ladder. It’s a three-legged ladder, with the single rear leg adjusting to ensure stability. The rear leg works better than most tripod ladders on the market.
With common ladders, you have to turn them when placing them close to the wall; however, for this one, you can place them close to the wall without turning the ladder sideways or perpendicular to the wall.
So, you can use it to trim trees, wall plants, poles, and plants around corners.
The garden tripod ladder comes with double riveted slip-resistant steps that are replaceable, slip-resistant feet, and a tool tray top.
Besides that, it weighs about 42 pounds and can hold a weight of up to 300 pounds. So, this is the best garden tripod you can purchase for yourself.
Big Folding step stool ladder
A folding step ladder is ideal for those with less space in their shade. Besides that, it’s light and easy to carry.
It features large platform steps that have a wavy tread for resistance. The handles have a comfortable grip. Also, it has nonmarring legs to avoid damaging floors.
You can use this step ladder for harvesting fruits and other long-hanging plants.
Telescoping ladder
This small ladder made from aluminum can contract down to about a quarter of its full height and expand to its normal height of about 12.5 feet in 1-meter increments. The surface of aluminum is oxidized to extend its shell life. It’s also made of plastic parts reinforced with nylon fiber to improve load capacity, stability, and resistance.
It features a button retraction method to reduce the time taken for manual retraction. With that lock mechanism, problems like pinching hands have been solved. You can no longer worry about pinching your hand when retraction the garden ladder.
The garden ladder weighs about 11.2 kg. It’s easy to carry around, and you can climb trees or work on plants near the wall.
Hi-step Midi Hedge cutting platform
This garden step ladder is made from lightweight aluminum and steel. It has quick-adjust feet that can stop it from tilting on unstable grounds. The working platform at the top is spacious for tools; you can move it up and down by 60 cm.
Since the ladder is not tall, you can reach up to 4 m above it. So, you can use it for small trees with hanging fruits or branches.
3 Step ladder
This 3-step ladder may not be the best outdoor ladder to use in your garden, but it can work fine if you need both an indoor and outdoor ladder. It’s small, lightweight, and retractable, making it easy to use anywhere.
The ladder is made from aluminum. It weighs about 9.5 pounds and can carry a load of up to 330 pounds.
The steps are anti-slip with wide pedals to ensure safety when climbing. Also, the base has protective padding to ensure you don’t damage the floors.
Things to look for when purchasing the best outdoor ladder.
In a market full of new and old products, narrowing down what to look for in a good ladder can take time and effort. Sometimes, even the brand you want might have only some of the features you need in a ladder.
So, here is a list of features to look for in a ladder.
- Safety
- Material
- Adjustable legs
- Comfortable steps
- Standing platform
- Ladder height
Safety
Safety is an important factor to look at when choosing a ladder. For instance, if you purchase a garden tripod ladder, you need it to be safe to avoid falling from heights.
Ensure the ladder can handle your strong and sturdy weight when checking for safety. Also, safety includes proper steps with slip-resistant material and good handles that you can hold onto when climbing.
Material
The material used to build a ladder can determine whether it’s strong or weak. You don’t want a flimsy ladder in your garden. Aluminum is lightweight and strong. When coated with other materials, it can support your weight. It’s the best material for a ladder.
Adjustable legs
Some garden step ladders have hind legs that are adjustable. It ensures that you are stable on uneven grounds. Those ladders without adjustable legs can force you to work on flat surfaces, which can be impossible, especially if you work in your garden.
So, look at this feature when finding a good garden ladder.
Comfortable steps
As you’ve seen above, steps should be comfortable with non-slip material for safety. Working on a ladder for long periods, your legs are tired, and you have no grip, so that will be a problem.
Make sure your ladder steps have enough space to hold both feet comfortably. You can do much more work when you are in a comfortable position.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Aluminum ladder better than steel?
In comparison, aluminum is lightweight, quality, and high-strength material. On the other hand, steel is heavy and strong. So, aluminum is better because it’s easier to handle and has a great strength-to-weight ratio. It can last longer with little to no maintenance.
Which type of ladder is best for home use?
You can choose a foldable ladder at home because it requires minimal storage space. You can choose a ladder depending on the space you have. It is not advisable to leave a ladder outdoors because it will rust and reduce its shell life, making it unsafe to use.
Which type of ladder is not recommended for continuous outdoor use?
You should refrain from continuously using a ladder made from fiberglass outdoors. That’s because the material starts to break down when fiberglass is exposed to sunlight constantly. Eventually, the quality of the ladder will deteriorate, and it won’t be safe anymore.
What angle should a ladder be placed at?
Always place your ladder at a 75-degree angle. It’s also known as the 4-to-1 rule. The base of the garden ladder should be placed one foot away from the wall for every four feet of height it rests against the wall.
