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Our 38-1/2" long trowel is a variety of gardener's cane. One can
stride through the gardens, swinging it casually as one might a cane,
but able to stop and unearth the unwanted at will. The best technique
is to step the trowel in behind an offender, then lever the handle backward
(always one-handed in an elegant manner) to free the root. One then withdraws
the trowel (until the point is just below the crown of the plant) and
gives the back of the trowel a light toe kick, dislodging the plant completely
while displacing little earth.
All this is done in a lord-of-the-manor style, never soiling one's hands
or garments and, best of all, never having to stoop. It can be a near-regal
action if done with panache. Later, the dislodged plants can be collected
with a rake, preferably by some younger person related to the cane owner.
This all sounds like it is not work at all, just a sort of carefree weeding
walkabout. You will be able to experience it and decide for yourself come
spring and ownership of this tool.
Like our micro-spade, the fork allows you to work restricted areas without
disrupting more soil than necessary – work that would normally have
to be done with a trowel while kneeling. At 38-1/2" long it is easy
to use while standing
and, weighing less than 1.8 lb (0.8kg), it is also easy to carry.
The conical tips on the tines also minimize the force need to penetrate
the soil.
Both are useful tools to carry when strolling through your garden. Caution:
these are sturdy tools, but do not have the same strength as a full-sized
spade or fork, and should not be used to turn sod or hard-packed earth
and never to pry stones.
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