The handheld tool for digging small holes and transplanting is called a trowel.
A garden trowel is a small hand tool with a narrow, scoop-shaped metal blade and a short handle. Gardeners use it to open planting holes, move small amounts of soil, divide or transplant seedlings, and place bulbs or young plants at the correct depth. Its compact size gives much more control than a long-handled digging tool.
Trowel blades may be pointed, rounded, narrow, or wide, and many are marked with depth graduations. Stainless steel and carbon steel are common blade materials, while handles may be made from wood, plastic, or composite materials. A narrow blade is useful in crowded beds, whereas a wider blade moves more soil quickly.
The main mix-up is with a spade or shovel, which has a longer handle and is designed for larger digging jobs. A hoe is primarily used for cultivating soil or removing weeds, and a garden fork loosens or lifts soil with tines. Masonry trowels are related in shape but are intended for mortar and other construction work.