Nifty tools bolster garden arsenal
Sometimes you don’t know you need something until someone invents it. That defines my life with garden tools. I have hand-me-down tools from my grandmother, my mother and my mother-in-law, and I treasure those scraped-up, bent and abused things just for the images they bring to mind while gardening. Of course, I also have several that I’ve purchased over the years as trusty (but rusty) horticulture go-tos.
I’ve decided it’s good to upgrade once in a while, and this is the perfect year to do it. With all the rain we’ve had, the garden is out. of. control.
Weeding
One of the best things about Cobrahead weeder and cultivator is that it’s made right here in Cambridge, Wis. Besides its effectiveness as a weed router, it is ergonomic and lightweight and it sports three handle lengths to choose from. And it’s “environmentally friendly,” using post-industrial and post-consumer recycled materials.
I can vouch for its ease in doing a thorough job with both stubborn weeds and cultivating. ($24.95 at
cobrahead.com) Pruning
My rose garden isn’t the only thorny thing around to leave me with scratches or tiny pricks in my arms … my brambly raspberry and barberry bushes do damage, too. The pruning sleeve offers great protection for those summer chores when you’re not wearing long sleeves. (Duluth Trading Co., $19.95)
Garrett Wade makes a ratcheting hand pruner, which can add extra power when you encounter a tougher branch to grab. The ratchet resets and helps give your hands an “extra gear” to finish the cut. I love that it also has a scissor loop for your fingers to make it more secure in your hand while pruning. ($17.95 at gar rettwade.com)
Gardening gloves
Two kinds of gloves are generally enough for most garden duties: a light, snug pair and a heavier, more rugged pair for tougher jobs.
Garden Guardian Work Gloves ($34.50 at Duluth Trading Co.) are perfect for digging, transplanting, pruning and cleanup with a palm made of gripping material and extra protection in key places.
For the lighter gardening jobs, I always need a couple of pairs of Nitrile Gloves, which have flexible and tough nitrile coating on palms and fingers. They are also very breathable, which is key while working outside. These gloves are ideal for smaller chores like weeding, potting and planting seeds. ($5.95 or $5 each for 2 pair at Gardener’s Supply Co.)
Rakes
A raised bed rake is a great tool to have with fewer tines to get into tight corners and between plants and a longer handle for extra reach. The Dutch handmade Sneeboer 7tine leaf rake is terrific for gardens of all sizes, and the handle even sports a knob on the end to prevent hands slipping off. ($24.24 at gardentoolcompany.com)
Trowels
So many trowels to choose from! Recently I was intrigued by the forked trowel (made by Bonsai, $12) at gardenshoponline.com, which has a nice selection of Japanese tools. The cleft in the tip helps cut through those stubborn roots while digging, and it has a sharp beveled edge to slide it more easily into the dirt.