Garden trugs are the humble workhorses of the garden: containers for carrying weeds, prunings, fallen fruit and leaves. This guide compares options from affordable flexible plastic tubs to traditional wooden trugs. Get the right one and every tidy-up job feels lighter.
Quick Picks
- Best all-purpose value: Red Gorilla Gorilla Tub (Large, 38L)
- Best for leaves and clippings: Red Gorilla Gorilla Tub Shallow (35L)
- Best heavy-duty: Faithfull Flex Tub (42L)
- Best budget multipack: KetoPlastics 40L Flexi Tub 3-Pack
- Best space-saver: Pop-Up Garden Tidy Bag
- Best traditional wooden trug: Burgon & Ball Traditional Wooden Trug
- Best heritage choice: Trug Makers Classic Sussex Trug No. 5
Trug, tubtrug or tub: what is the difference?
A traditional trug is a shallow, boat-shaped wooden basket designed for flowers and light items. Modern flexible plastic tubtrugs handle hauling and heavy loads. When most people ask for “a trug” for garden work, a flexible tubtrug is what they want.
Quick Comparison Table
|
Product |
Type |
Capacity |
Price |
Best for |
|
Red Gorilla Gorilla Tub (Large) |
Flexible plastic |
38L |
See card for current price |
Everyday all-round use |
|
Red Gorilla Gorilla Tub Shallow |
Flexible plastic |
35L |
See card for current price |
Leaves and grass clippings |
|
Faithfull Flex Tub |
Heavy-duty plastic |
42L |
See card for current price |
Rubble, soil, wet loads |
|
KetoPlastics 40L Flexi Tub 3-Pack |
Flexible plastic |
40L each |
See card for current price |
Value multipack |
|
Pop-Up Garden Tidy Bag |
Collapsible fabric |
Large |
Check retailer |
Storage-saving leaf clearing |
|
Burgon & Ball Traditional Trug |
Wooden |
Large |
See card for current price |
Flowers, veg, light jobs |
|
Trug Makers Classic Sussex Trug No. 5 |
Handmade wooden |
Varies |
See card for current price |
Heritage gift / heirloom |
Prices change frequently, so always check the current price before you buy.
Our Top Picks
1. Red Gorilla Gorilla Tub (Large, 38L) – best all-rounder for value
Key specs: Flexible plastic tubtrug; 38L; frost-proof and UV stable; moulded handles; wide choice of colours.
Pros: – Tough, frost and UV proof – Flexible and squashable – Brilliant value and a huge choice of colours
Cons: – Round shape is less suited to sweeping in flat leaves – Very cheap copies exist, so buy the genuine article
Best for: Everyday hauling of weeds, soil and prunings.
2. Red Gorilla Gorilla Tub Large Shallow (35L) – best for leaves and clippings
Key specs: Shallow flexible tub; 35L; low, wide profile; two moulded handles.
Pros: – Low, wide shape ideal for leaves and clippings – Easy to sweep into and tip out
Cons: – Shallow depth is less useful for soil, water or dense waste – Slightly pricier than the standard tub
Best for: Lawn clippings and autumn leaf clearing.
3. Faithfull Flex Tub (42L) – best heavy-duty tub
Key specs: Heavy-duty polyethylene; 42L; frost resistant; UV stable; also sold in other sizes.
Pros: – Extremely tough – Wide range of sizes – Happy with rubble, soil and wet loads
Cons: – Utilitarian looks – The biggest sizes are too heavy to lift when fully loaded
Best for: Landscaping, soil, rubble and mixing jobs.
4. KetoPlastics 40L Flexi Tub 3-Pack – best budget multipack
Key specs: Three flexible tubs; 40L each; made in the UK.
Pros: – Excellent value with three tubs to spread around the garden – Perfectly good for light and medium jobs
Cons: – Thinner walls and less durable than premium tubs – Handles less comfortable when heavily loaded
Best for: Budget-conscious gardeners who want several tubs.
5. Haxnicks Pop-Up Garden Tidy Bag – best collapsible option
Key specs: Spring-framed pop-up bag; self-standing; folds flat for storage.
Pros: – Folds flat to almost nothing – Large capacity for bulky waste – Very light to carry and self-standing
Cons: – Fabric is less durable than plastic – Not ideal for heavy, wet or thorny loads
Best for: Small gardens and sheds with limited storage.
6. Burgon & Ball Traditional Wooden Trug (Large) – best traditional wooden trug
Key specs: FSC poplar with brass fittings; boat-shaped; wooden handle; also available in medium.
Pros: – Beautiful, sustainably sourced timber – Ideal for flowers, veg and light jobs – A great gift
Cons: – Not for wet or heavy loads – Needs a little care to last, and costs more than plastic tubs
Best for: Harvesting flowers and vegetables in style.
7. Trug Makers Classic Sussex Trug No. 5 – best heritage choice
Key specs: Handmade in Sussex from willow and sweet chestnut; classic boat shape.
Pros: – Genuine handmade British craft – Light yet strong – A true heirloom
Cons: – Costs considerably more than plastic – Strictly for light, dry jobs
Best for: Heritage gifts and gardeners who want a lasting keepsake.
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How to Choose a Garden Trug
Flexible plastic vs wooden: Choose flexible plastic for everyday hauling of leaves, weeds, soil, water, prunings and general muck, and wooden for lighter, prettier jobs. Most gardeners keep both types.
Size and capacity: A 38 to 42 litre tub is the sweet spot for general garden work: large enough to be useful, but not so large that it becomes back-breaking when full of wet soil. When in doubt, two medium tubs beat one huge one.
Handles and comfort: Look for two strong, moulded handles set wide enough apart to balance a heavy load and spread the weight across your hand.
Durability and frost resistance: Look for UV stability to prevent fading and brittleness, plus frost-proofing to resist winter cracking. Budget options will not last as long as the premium options.
Getting the Most from Your Trug
- Rinse after muddy jobs to prevent weight buildup
- Store plastic tubs stacked and shaded
- Keep wooden trugs dry and occasionally oil them
- Colour-code multiple tubs by purpose
- Drill drainage holes in dedicated wet tubs
Frequently Asked Questions
What size trug do I need? For general garden use, a 38 to 42 litre flexible tub is ideal: big enough to be useful, small enough to lift when full.
Are tubtrugs frost proof? Quality brands use frost-proof, UV-stable plastic, but cheaper options may crack in hard winters.
Can I use a garden trug for mixing compost or cement? Yes. A heavy-duty flexible tub like the Faithfull Flex Tub is ideal for mixing compost, potting mixes and even small amounts of cement.
Wooden trug or plastic: which is better? Neither is better; they do different jobs. Choose a flexible plastic tub for everyday hauling of soil, leaves and waste, and a wooden trug for flowers, veg and lighter, prettier tasks.
The Verdict
For most gardeners, the answer is simple: buy a large Red Gorilla Gorilla Tub and you will wonder how you managed without it. Add the shallow version for leaves, a heavy-duty Faithfull tub for landscaping jobs, or a pop-up bag if storage is tight. A wooden trug adds value beyond pure function, and a good trug is one of the cheapest ways to make every job in the garden a little easier.
