In the world of gardeners and plant growers, raising plants from seed to maturity is an art in itself. An essential tool that is indispensable for this is the handmade stainless steel Seedling Pricker from Sneeboer. This small but powerful tool enables you to transplant young seedlings safely and efficiently, without damaging the roots and with maximum control. In this in-depth blog post, you’ll discover everything about the history, craftsmanship and practical use of the Seedling Pricker. Find out why this tool is the ultimate must-have for every passionate gardening enthusiast, from hobby gardeners to professional growers.
The history and origins of the Seedling Pricker
The origins of the Sneeboer Seedling Pricker can be traced back to the private workshop of Mr Waasdorp, a lawyer with a great passion for gardening. Frustrated by the limited precision of standard garden tools, he forged his first prototype from reinforcing steel in his spare time. After trial runs with copper and brass, he perfected his design using high-quality steel. This authentic model found its way into the Sneeboer collection, after which the experts in the forge refined the design into the handy stainless steel version we know today.
In March 2025, the official launch took place during the spring market at the Utrecht Botanical Gardens. There, Mr Waasdorp and his wife shared anecdotes about the evolution of the design: from a haphazard piece of reinforcing steel to the elegant, durable stainless steel Seedling Pricker. Since then, this tool has become a favourite among professional growers and keen amateur gardeners both at home and abroad.
Traditional craftsmanship in stainless steel
Every Sneeboer stainless steel Seedling Pricker is hand-forged from a single piece of stainless steel. The production process is as follows:
- A round 8 mm stainless steel bar is heated in the forging furnace until it reaches optimum workability.
- Using a hammer, the blacksmith shapes the spoon-like part and creates a sharp, pointed tip for pricking out and loosening.
- The handle is ground smooth and polished, with no welds or weld seams, which prevents breakage.
- Once cooled, the surface is finished with fine steel wool to achieve a smooth, hygienic finish.
This traditional manufacturing method ensures the tool’s strength and durability. Furthermore, the single-piece design prevents rust from forming on welded joints and ensures a long service life, even with intensive professional use.
Why a Seedling Pricker is indispensable
A Seedling Pricker offers several essential advantages when transplanting seedlings:
- Precision:The shovel-shaped tip gently loosens the root ball around the roots without damaging the plant.
- Minimising stress: The sharp tip quickly creates a planting hole, ensuring that young roots remain intact and reducing planting stress.
- Ergonomic design: The slim, curved handle helps prevent fatigue during prolonged use.
- Durability: Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion caused by moisture, potting compost and organic fertilisers.
Step by step: how to use the Seedling Pricker
Follow these steps for the best results:
- Preparation: Ensure the potting compost in new pots or seed trays is slightly damp.
- Removing theseedling:Insert the spoon at an angle beneath the seedling, just outside the taproot, and gently pry the root ball loose.
- Pricking out: Use the tip to make a planting hole at the correct depth (equal to the germination depth).
- Transplanting: Place the root ball in the hole and gently press the soil down around it.
- Watering: Water gently straight away and place in the shade or a cool greenhouse.
Caring for your Seedling Pricker
Looking after your Seedling Pricker is essential to ensure it lasts a long time:
- Clean after each use with lukewarm water and a soft brush.
- Dry the spoon and store it in a dry place in your garden shed or on a rack.
- If necessary, scrub with fine steel wool to remove any traces of rust and dirt.
- Check regularly for rough edges and remove them to ensure a smooth surface.
Tips from our experts
Our gardening experts are happy to share some extra tips for successful pricking out:
- Time: Prick out in the early morning or late afternoon when temperatures are between 15-18 °C.
- Humidity: Keep the humidity at around 60-70 per cent to prevent the roots from drying out.
- Fertilisers: When repotting, add a small amount of organic fertiliser to stimulate root growth immediately.
- Planning: Spread your pricking out over several days to avoid fatigue.