Topic: Useful new gadgets, tools or toys

[Jayb]

I'm wondering if you've found something great for the garden recently?
Here's my new love, http://www.agralan.co.uk/product/threadhoe/
A little hand weeder but it's brill, although somewhat overpriced I feel. It is great for getting in and around plants and seems to do the job very easily without decapitating the intended crop or flowers. I don't know if a homemade version could or would be easy to do?

[galina]

I couldn't quite make out how it works, but the picture here is very clear.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Agralan-M110-Stainless-Steel-Thread/dp/B00E3R49YE

I guess the 'thread' must be very strong indeed.  Would it be difficult to cut through solid hard baked clay?  I use a cheapie  patio weeder for those sort of weeding jobs.  Gets through the clay, can be sharpened, but of course it isn't ergonomic in the same way and after a while my wrist 'knows about it'. 

Never seen this type of hoe before.  Could be very a very good tool to relieve pressure on hands/wrists.   

[Obelixx]

My favourite hoe is the push-me pull you double edged head in the Wolf collection, available in 4 and 6 inch widths.  Failing that, I go in with their narrow cultivator head, all of which can be fitted to various length handles.   Failing that, I use their narrow trowel.

The gadget i would love is a tool finder.  Last week I accidentally buried my cuttings knife after splitting two foxglove seedlings and I dropped my reading glasses in one border after consulting a label for eventual height.  Both found a few days later but I can't tell you the number of trowels and secateurs that eventually resurface after a stay in the compost heap when daughter or OH have been "helping".

 

[johhnyco15]

got to be my wolf soil miller or crumbler or what ever its called its my most used tool makes short work of preparing seed beds , weeding  and its an alround winner for me

[Tee Gee]

Not that I grow potatoes in buckets but this one allows you to have look rather than scraping around.

http://www.agralan.co.uk/product/potato-pot/

[Jayb]

Galina, I don't know if it would have enough cutting power to manage hard clay, it really works best while weeds are still on the small side. It starts to struggle when they get big and the roots tangle around the wire. It's great for close up work, I did my shallots yesterday, simples!

My favourite hoe is the push-me pull you double edged head in the Wolf collection, available in 4 and 6 inch widths.  Failing that, I go in with their narrow cultivator head, all of which can be fitted to various length handles.   Failing that, I use their narrow trowel.

The gadget i would love is a tool finder.  Last week I accidentally buried my cuttings knife after splitting two foxglove seedlings and I dropped my reading glasses in one border after consulting a label for eventual height.  Both found a few days later but I can't tell you the number of trowels and secateurs that eventually resurface after a stay in the compost heap when daughter or OH have been "helping".

 

Is that the one that looks slightly wavy with the serrated type blades? I was looking at one recently and wondered how good they are and I do love my swoes   

got to be my wolf soil miller or crumbler or what ever its called its my most used tool makes short work of preparing seed beds , weeding  and its an alround winner for me

I bought a cheapy soil miller, it's a bit naff and I should have know better than to have bought it.



Tee Gee thanks, I like the look of those buckets.

[galina]

Not that I grow potatoes in buckets but this one allows you to have look rather than scraping around.

http://www.agralan.co.uk/product/potato-pot/

Thank you.  Perfect gift idea for MIL, who grows all her potatoes in pots.  Shhhhhh ..... don't tell her! (she doesn't read A4A)   

[lezelle]

Hi ya, I like my wolf tools as well and have 4 different types of hoe. Draw hoes serrated, swoe type. I think I have become a bit of  collector as I have some wolf tools I have never used. I do like the wooden handles and you can pick the length to suit you.  I like the hand weeder but if you are on your knees and using it would it not be just as well to pull them out by hand?

[Obelixx]

Jayb - yes, wavy hedge.  Great tool.  I have two of the wider head so that OH can play too on the rare occasions he's helping at hoeing.  It's great for weeds in the gravel paths between the veggie beds.   The smaller wavy head is used between veggies like salads, onions and brassicas when the rows between get narrower and both can be used with any of the different handle lengths.

For flower beds I tend to be down on hands and knees with a wee cultivator head or a hand fork or trowel or just my hands so I can check for baby treasures amongst the weeds.

[Jayb]

Jayb - yes, wavy hedge.  Great tool.  I have two of the wider head so that OH can play too on the rare occasions he's helping at hoeing.  It's great for weeds in the gravel paths between the veggie beds.   The smaller wavy head is used between veggies like salads, onions and brassicas when the rows between get narrower and both can be used with any of the different handle lengths.

For flower beds I tend to be down on hands and knees with a wee cultivator head or a hand fork or trowel or just my hands so I can check for baby treasures amongst the weeds.

Sounds great, maybe I can buy it as a Christmas treat for me!

[artichoke]

Burgon & Ball Carbon Steel Japanese Razor Hoe

I do a lot of weeding sitting down, and this not only extends my reach, it is strong enough to scrape through the soil, to slice buttercups off their roots, to stab and gouge and lift out various weeds, it breaks up lumps of soil, slashes slugs..... Its tip can be used delicately between onions etc so as not to damage them. I couldn't do without it. I've bought extra ones to give to family.

[Deb P]

A Canterbury fork is my best tool, gardening on clay soil with plenty of couch it can be leveraged out with minimal effort. Fab.

[Digeroo]

I am still loving my digging hoe.  I also love my Lidl hand hoe - watch out weeds here I come.

Best toys  Probably my smart phone and tablet.  All cheapo Chinese.  Love them.  Take great pics.

Best gadget.  Cheese slice which my mother brought back from Norway in 1948.  Still works better than any modern ones.  Had a new handle circa 1975 made out of turned silver birch,  it is very sensuous.

[peanuts]

The gadget i would love is a tool finder.  Last week I accidentally buried my cuttings knife after splitting two foxglove seedlings and I dropped my reading glasses in one border after consulting a label for eventual height.  Both found a few days later but I can't tell you the number of trowels and secateurs that eventually resurface after a stay in the compost heap when daughter or OH have been "helping".

A friend gave me  a B&B Japanese razor hoe which I find just brilliant.  I've also given them to friends. But twice I've lost it in our (rather large) garden like Obbelix.  Solution: same friends came and stayed, armed with a trial pot of bright red paint, and lovingly painted the handle!  Perfect solution, I can find it anywhere now!

[Digeroo]

What is a tool finder, more info please.