I’ve been gardening for a few years now, and not a lot changes with regard to the tools I use. However, every so often, something new catches my eye. This year, I tried two new tools, and they have quickly become my most used garden implements; the Buckhoe and the Hori Hori Knife.
The Buckhoe (https://buckhoe.co.uk/) Invented and made in England, this innovative tool is only available from the website above. I assume it is handmade by the inventor. It’s the ideal tool for weeding around plants like onions and asparagus.
Up until this year, I used a small onion hoe, but the Buckhoe is far better. It is rounded with a sharpish inner edge, so less likely to damage the plants you want to keep, compared to an onion hoe. It’s also got a small notch on the inner edge, which can be used to get hold of deeper rooted weeds to pull them out. It’s quite small compared to an onion hoe, but this makes slicing through weeds much easier. It’s also very useful for weeding between paving slabs, down the sides of raised beds, in pots, etc.
It can also be used for transplanting and sowing.
The Buckhoe is available in left and right-handed versions and costs £25.50.
Picture – the Buckhoe is pictured below the onion hoe it has replaced
The Hori Hori Knife (https://www.japeto.co.uk/products/weeding/hori-hori-knife-deluxe-leather-holster) is not a new invention, being a traditional Japanese garden tool. Since buying one this year I have not picked up my old garden trowel.
The Hori Hori knife is part trowel, part knife. It’s quite a vicious looking thing, just over 30 cm in length with a 18cm blade. One side of the blade is serrated, the other smooth, but both sides are sharp. It is very solid; you will not bend it (at least not easily!). It does all the tasks a trowel will do with the advantage of being able to chop and saw, so very useful when weeding. It’s also useful when dividing plants, as it can be used to dig out the plant and then cut as required.
The strong blade can also be used to lever deep rooted weeds out of the ground. The knife I own has a blade that runs the full length of the handle for added strength, along with a handguard to stop your hand slipping down onto the blade. I use mine for weeding, dividing plants and planting. The solid blade seems to make digging small holes for planting easier than doing it with a regular garden trowel.
Given that it is classed as knife, you will need to be over eighteen to buy one, and obviously it needs to be used appropriately. They are available from several manufacturers from £20 to £40. The model I have cost £30.
Picture – The Hori Hori knife pictured next to the long serving trowel it replaced
Please note I am not affiliated with any of the websites above, I purchased all the tools, and do not receive commission.
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