Sprigs: Small Tool is a Big Help

I bought this cute little rake for my grand daughter to use during her visit. 

After she left I discovered it is the perfect size for me to use when cleaning out dead foliage or trimmings. The head fits in small places. I can manage it with one hand. It reduces the bending I have to do, and scooping up what I've raked is much easier than with a full-sized rake.

About $5.00 at Lowe's Hardware, it's an impulse buy that proved to be worth far more.  

Sprigs: the Hori garden knife

Another favorite tool is the hori Japanese knife. I like the substantial heft of it in my hand.

It's great for weeding, particularly things with a central tap root like dandelions.

Transplanting is easy with this knife because it's so strong.

I painted the handle with brightly colored paint so I could find it easily when I lay on the ground.

hori hori knife

Get it at Gardener's Supply Company

Sprigs: Favorite Tools

"his" on the left, "hers" on the right

My garden fork is an indispensible tool. My first one, on the left, broke when my husband got a large rock stuck between the tines. He kept pushing and broke it. For Christmas (ah, he's such a romantic) he had it repaired, and then broke it the same way a second time. That one's sold by Smith and Hawken.

I bought myself the second one which he is NOT allowed to use. 

I use it garden fork to dig weeds (and dig, and dig, and dig), and create a sharper border in my flower beds. I can't garden without it! 

Follow the link to get information on the newer, superior fork from Clarington Forge in England.

What tool do you require for the garden?