The Bare Essentials
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| Some essentials when brand new |
Before The List
The List Of Best Weeding Tools
Cape Cod Weeder, for right handed people.
- Almost always, I want my Cape Cod Weeder . It is wonderful for tight spaces between plants or cracks in the walk, etc. sharp blade makes quick work of dislodging roots.
- Garden gloves are more important to me than I ever realized. I have many pairs now, and can grab thistles, rose canes, and grub out hand pulled weeds better than I possibly could if without them.
- I keep bypass pruners close by, and if I think I will have to grub out an overlooked Mulberry tree- I have loppers with me. but always haul along a cutting tool of some sort. Have poke weed? Cut the cane off at the ground level.
- Nurseryman spade. Admittedly I don’t always grab this particular tool, but if I don’t I usually end up going back to the shed for it. Any shovel will do, but a narrow Nurseryman spade will work better in perennial beds and get just the roots you wish to dislodge. This is best for removing Burdock, and other deeply rooted weeds. Simply scoop out the crown of the Burdock- no need to get all of the taproot.
- Dutch hoe is a hand hoe that works like the big one, but with more finesse and sharp tip can hack out stubborn weeds. When I don’t need the Cape Cod-der for tight spaces I often go for the Dutch hoe. (Seen in the beginning photo).
- Weeding Adze which is sometimes called other names, is the best for large areas of deeply entrenched weeds. The claw end pries, while the blade edge cuts. A most efficient combo.
- Dandelion Weeder might seem specialized, but this narrow, strong tool with the little fork at the tip is a whiz at sliding down alongside taproots and levering them out without disturbing the neighbors.
For Clean-up
Garden Carts and Rakes
I try to keep the garden cart and a leaf rake nearby, so that when finished with the mad weeding I can tidy up right then and there. If put off, a pile of weeds can smother grass, and it delays the feeling of satisfaction from getting your flower beds all cleared away.
What I Did Today: Cleaned and Sharpened My Tools
Another thing that is new for my gardening this summer was a solution for my most hated garden task: watering during hot and dry periods. Sure, this is not the year which best tests my new found FAV garden tool, but I am ready for those years when the weather is more normal with late summer droughts. I loved it so much I couldn’t wait to write a review on it. Enough suspense…what is it? One of those “advertised on TV” garden hoses that are so light that even wimpy, aging me is able to water the containers and the borders with ease. I am so happy!
I had a review for the Flexable Pocket Garden Hose, but though I loved my first one, they proved to be short-lived . They aren’t very expensive, and the amount of grief and work it saves is worth it. How long do they last? I found that the first one lasted for two seasons, but the replacement only lasted a few weeks.
What does this have to do with weeding tools you ask? Well, consider this: when trying to pull out those unwanted plants from dry hard ground or soft moist earth… which is easier? Yes. You may wish to add the humble garden hose to your list of “weeding tools”.
Do you have tips to share? How do you handle pesky “garden thug” plants or what way do you sharpen your tools?
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© 2014 written for Ilona’s Garden Journal by Ilona E. An excellent blog.