Check out the upcoming garden tool swaps taking place around the Twin Cities – a chance to find the perfect tool!
Not sure about you, but each year I have high hopes for our garden. I would love to have green peppers, but it seems like our garden is only able to give us tomatoes.
Last fall, I added an area of native grass and native flowers. My Dad joked that they should be called weeds instead! Either way, I was excited to see butterflies and insects coming around to the area. This year I’m eager to add to that area with some seeds from a friend, and I am determined to make it more native than weeds.
Then there are the tools. Each spring I look at my tools and think I need to upgrade and find the perfect shovel. We have a bit of an odd collection of tools and we just kind of make do, but wouldn’t it be nice to add or trade without spending an arm and a leg?
I would love a garden that has an abundance of colorful vegetables; however, it really is all about the tools to get the garden going, isn’t it? One of my favorite small garden spades was left in the dirt too long and is now a bit rusty (but it’s still my favorite).
Twin Cities Garden Tool Swap Events
Here are some resources for finding free garden tools at various swap events in the Twin Cities. At many of these events, you may bring your own items to give to others, so feel free to clear out your gardening shed to make room for some new-to-you tools!
Burnsville
Check out the Native Plant Market and Garden Tool Swap! Native wildflowers, ferns and grasses will be for sale from multiple vendors. Enhance your garden and help provide food for pollinators! While picking out new flowers and grasses at Burnsville’s Native Plant Market, stop by our Garden Tool Swap to trade your gently used tools and lawn decorations for new ones.
Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Location: Nicollet Commons Park/126th Street W
Burnsville, MN (south side of park)
Chanhassen
This spring as you’re cleaning out your storage, hang on to unneeded yard tools and gardening items and bring them to the Garden Tool Swap. Whether you’re a first-time gardener or a seasoned green thumb, all are welcome at this event. This free event allows gardeners and yard owners to exchange tools, equipment, and materials.
- All items are intended to be given and taken freely. Tools and items are not for sale.
- You do not need to bring items to participate.
- You can drop-off your usable items and leave. You do not need to stay on-site for the entire event.
- Items to bring: garden tools, yard tools (shovels, rakes, hoses, pitchforks, etc.), garden art, garden décor, bird houses, bird feeders, pots and planters (free of any soil), potting soil and mix (unused, bagged), and gardening and plant books.
- Please do not bring: chemicals (fertilizer, pesticides, etc.), mower, power tools, plants, broken items, used soil or dirt, and any items too large to carry.
Pre-swap Drop-off: Friday, April 24, 3–6 p.m. Master Gardeners will be in attendance to answer your lawn and garden questions.
Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 10am – noon
Location: Chanhassen Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Chanhassen, Minnesota 55317
Eagan
Join us at Eagan’s Annual Earth Week Celebration as we kick it off with a Garden Tool Swap at Trapp Farm Park.
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Blackhawk Park
1629 Murphy Pkwy, Eagan, MN 55122
Forest Lake
- The swap is free and open to everyone!
- Donations are not required to get items.
- Limit of 3 items per person.
- Remaining items will be donated locally.
Donations Accepted through May 2. Drop off garden and yard tools you no longer use at the North Environmental Center or South Environmental Center during open hours.
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Time: 5- 7pm
Location: North Environmental Center
6065 Headwaters Pkwy., Forest Lake, MN 55025
Lakeville
Celebrate Earth Day by visiting Lakeville’s Annual Watershed Cleanup Day! Find out what’s happening in your area to preserve our environment and learn from local organizations. While you’re there, bring unused garden tools in good condition, and take a few home!
Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Lakeville Maintenance Facility
7570 179th St. W., Lakeville
Minneapolis
Minneapolis Garden Tool Swaps are planned by neighborhood over three dates in May. It’s an opportunity to swap our your unused yard tools and gardening items including gardening books, garden art and decor, pots and planters and bird houses and feeders (please sanitize first) and look for others you could use. Any unclaimed items will be posted on neighborhood Buy Nothing groups after the event is over. Check their listing here for the date and time for each neighborhood.
Woodbury
- The swap is free and open to everyone!
- Donations are not required to get items.
- Limit of 3 items per person.
- Remaining items will be donated locally.
Donations Accepted through May 2. Drop off garden and yard tools you no longer use at the North Environmental Center or South Environmental Center during open hours.
Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Time: 5- 7pm
Location: South Environmental Center
4039 Cottage Grove Drive, Woodbury, MN 55129
- About the Author
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Kristi is married with twin daughters. She grew up on a small dairy farm, but now lives in the south metro area. She enjoys finding free or thrifty things to do whether they are outings close to home or last minute adventures to far-away places.
Kristi can also be found enjoying estate sales, attempting to garden, volunteering in the wetlands or a favorite thrift store, or maybe just enjoying a good play in one of the many theatre venues in the area.
Margo Ashmore says
The Minneapolis Garden Tool Swaps website has been updated with the 2025 locations – great variety of happenings and new time frames at some new locations. Salute to the creative neighborhood and community organizations who have put these unique events together. https://www.minneapolismn.gov/resident-services/garbage-recycling-cleanup/garden-tool-swap/