Eight of the best dibbers for seed sowing

Crafted from wood, metal or plastic, a dibber is a long, pointed stick that pokes identical holes into the soil creating a space to plant seeds, seedlings, cuttings and small bulbs.

A dibber can range in width and come with a variety of handle styles including straight, T-shaped and D-shaped handles. While these handles won't affect how effective the dibber is at its job, each gardener may have a personal preference on what's more comfortable for them.

We've put together a list of the best dibbers to buy, including stainless steel and brass-tipped dibbers that will not rust over time. We also give advice on how to use a dibber in our short guide below.

For more planting tools, read our reviews of the best garden hoes and best garden hand trowels on test. And, if you need to invest in some new essentials, try our guides to the best watering cans and clothes for gardeners.

What is a dibber and what is it used for?

A dibber is a long, stick-like tool used to make holes for seeds and seedlings to make sure they're sufficiently buried in the soil without damage. The width of a dibber will vary and thinner dibbers are best suited to sowing seeds and cuttings, while planting small bulbs requires a thicker tool.

Some dibbers will also have measurements along the shaft to give greater accuracy on the depth of the hole. The size of the seed should dictate how far down it's buried. As a general rule, seeds should be covered with their own depth of soil. For more help on sowing seeds, read our guide on how deep to sow seeds.

10 of the best dibbers

From wooden to stainless steel, browse our pick of the best dibbers.

This RHS-endorsed dibber is ergonomically designed to be wide enough to plant seeds, seedlings and bulbs. Made from British stainless steel, the dibber has a sharp end to easily pierce the soil and a total length of 27cm.

Price: £22.79

Buy Burgon and Ball Stainless Dibber at Amazon

Crafted from pinewood, this dibber has 2cm increments up the length of its shaft to help measure the exact depth of any holes made. The point is rounded and the full length of the dibber is 24cm.

Price: £7.25

Buy Garden Gear Dibber at Amazon

The Spear and Jackson Dibber has a longer handle than traditional dibbers to avoid excessive bending or stooping while you work. It has an FSC-approved, weatherproofed wooden handle and a tip made from polished stainless steel to protect it against rust.

Price: £12.51

Buy Spear and Jackson Dibber at Amazon

With a total length of 17cm, this dibber has an FSC-approved ash handle and a high-carbon steel tip. The latter has an antique bronze powder coating to protect it from corrosion and measure markings along its length.

Price: £9.95

Buy National Trust Dibber at Harrod Horticultural

The Darlac Bamboo Dibber has an offset handle for better comfort and control. It's crafted from eco-friendly Bamboo with a rust resistant stainless steel head.

Price: £13.99

Buy Darlac Bamboo Dibber at Amazon

The Draper Garden Dibber has an 'L' shaped handle for improved grip and comfort. The head is made from stainless steel for protection against rust and the full length of the dibber is 12cm.

Price: £7.42

Buy Draper Garden Dibber at Amazon

This wooden dibber is handmade and customisable. Its maker allows you to choose from a number of woods including oak, ash and beech. The dibber also comes with a leather thong to make it easy to hang up and store.

Price: £12

Buy Wooden Garden Dibbers at Etsy

Made from solid ash, this dibber from DeWit has a brass tip to give it extra durability. The side is engraved with inch markings and there's a heavy duty cord for easy storage.

Price: £21.99

Buy DeWit Brass Tipped Dibber at Crocus

This product guide was last updated in March 2022. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.