ALL TOOLED UP

During the dry spell I have discovered a fabulous new gardening tool. I have never been a real fan of hoeing, and Dad taught us the traditional method of hand pulling weeds and forking through flowerbeds. As a result, I’m more than familiar with a ‘bent back’ but as I get older (!) it’s not so easy to sustain. I now hoe where I can, but this ‘new’ little tool allows me to get into all those hard to reach places, and all whilst kneeling down – a natural evolutionary stage of gardening.

The Japanese Weeding Hoe from Niwaki is fabulous for hoeing off small weeds before they take over and the pointy bit will also winkle out larger perennial weeds like the Irish Daisies! At £18 I think it is also great value for money. I love the Niwaki website, and have a lot of the beautiful Japanese tools. The Hori Hori knife is used most days and the shears and secateurs are light and sharp – just what you need when using them all day. The Hori Hori knife is £24 – but make sure you don’t accidentally click on the hand-forged one, which is £759.

More t’riffic tools at https://www.niwaki.com/ store/digging-weeding-and-other-stuff/

Another of my (and Monty Don’s) favourite hand tools is the Dutch style trowel. I got mine from Tools for Self Reliance in Crickhowell (www.tfsrcymru.org.uk) but they are also available online too.

I love all of my tools, they are like friends and all have a story to tell. I am a great believer in the saying, ‘If the tools are bad, nature’s voice is muffled.’