Quick verdict
A canvas wrap that hangs round the outside of a standard 5 gallon bucket with nine deep pockets and two pencil pockets, so the trowel, the pruners, the twine, the labels, the gloves, the phone and the drink hang on the outside while the inside of the bucket stays free for weeds, seedlings or a bag of compost. The bucket is already in the shed; the caddy turns it into the garden bag that goes to the bed and back with everything in it. It is canvas that hoses off, from Fiskars, and it fits any bucket of the standard size.
Strengths
- Turns any 5 gallon bucket into a tool bag
- Nine deep pockets and two pencil pockets for hand tools, twine, labels and phone
- Bucket interior stays free for weeds or compost
- Easy-clean canvas; hoses off
- Fits every standard 5 gallon bucket
Weaknesses
- Bucket not included, as the listing says
- Canvas fades and stiffens in years of sun
- Loaded pockets make the bucket tippy on a slope
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
Everything to the Bed in One Trip
The trowel is on the bench, the twine is in the kitchen and the pruners are wherever they were put down last. A bucket caddy ends that. Fiskars’ is a canvas wrap with nine deep pockets and two for pencils that hangs on the outside of a standard 5 gallon bucket, so every hand tool rides to the bed on the bucket and the bucket itself is still empty for the weeds.
This review is based on the maker’s specifications and on how bucket caddies are used in garden work generally. We have not used this caddy ourselves.
Fitting It
Wrap the caddy round the bucket, hook the top edge over the rim and fasten it. Load the pockets: trowel and fork in the deep ones, pruners in another, twine, labels and a pencil, gloves, seed packets, the phone and a bottle. Pick the bucket up by its handle and the whole kit comes along.
At the Bed
Set the bucket down and work round it. Weeds go in the bucket, the tools come out of the pockets and go back, and nothing is lost in the border. When the bucket is full it is emptied on the heap and the tools are still where they were. At the end of the day the bucket goes in the shed with everything in it, which is where everything is found next morning.
Why the Outside
Tool organisers that sit inside a bucket take the space the bucket is for. A caddy on the outside leaves it empty for weeds, seedlings, compost or a seat lid.
Build
Canvas that is hosed off on the bucket and dried in the sun. It fades over years and stiffens, as canvas does, and the pockets stay deep. Fiskars has sold it for a long time because it works.
Balance
Pockets loaded on one side tip an empty bucket on a slope. Spread the heavy tools round the bucket and it stands.
Who Should Buy It
- Anyone who gardens from a bucket.
- Allotment holders carrying tools across a site.
- Gardeners who lose pruners in the border.
Common Owner Complaints
No bucket in the box. The listing says so.
Technique Tips
Put the sharp tools in the pockets on the side away from the legs, and keep one pocket empty for whatever is picked up along the way.
Alternatives to Consider
A canvas garden tote with a frame. A bucket organiser that sits inside for a workshop. A tool belt for a short job.
Verdict
For hand tools that reach the bed and come back, a caddy on the bucket already in the shed is the simplest system there is. Load the pockets evenly, hose it off and leave it on the bucket.
Full specifications
Fiskars 5 Gallon Garden Tool Bucket Caddy, Canvas, Bucket and Tools Not Included FAQs
Wrap it round the bucket and fasten; the top edge hooks over the rim and the pockets hang on the outside. It goes on any 5 gallon bucket in a few seconds.
Trowel, hand fork, pruners, snips, twine, plant labels and a pencil, gloves, seed packets, a phone, a water bottle. Everything that otherwise gets left on the bench.
Weeds as they are pulled, seedlings on the way out, a bag of compost, or a seat if the bucket has a lid.
Hose it off on the bucket and let it dry. Canvas takes years of that.
