Guest post by Joost D.

When asked about my favorite hand pruner – I was almost afraid to open up. Not that I had any hesitation mind you, but because when it comes to discussing their favorite pruner, there are many gardeners who are going to defend the honor of their favorite brand.

I consider my Bahco PX-M2-L (there, now I feel relieved) my favorite gardening tool ever. Bahco is a little-known European brand (the pruners are manufactured in France) that is slowly but surely becoming more popular amongst gardening enthusiasts. The reason that it is becoming more popular is not because of a massive advertising budget, but because of excellent word-of-mouth.

Comfort matters

There are a number of different reasons that I love my Bahco PX-M2, but the primary one is because it has amazing ergonomic design. Before I discovered the Bahco pruner, I had been using other brands for years. I always had to deal with those annoying hand cramps, the type of cramp that minimizes the amount of force you can apply.

When you first take the Bahco PX-M2 in your hand, you instantly notice that the above-average price is there for a reason. It is obvious that these pruners are made for professional use. I have been in the garden for hours and have not had much issue with strain or soreness.

The pruner itself is not much to look at from an aesthetic point, but it does fit into the contours of your hand. This means that you are not putting pressure on one specific area of the hand when pruning. You have your wrist in a neutral position at all times because the blade goes straight down.

Get what is right for you

I love the fact that the Bahco ERGO line is customizable to your needs. You would not believe how frustrating it is to have to use right-handed pruners as a lefty. It does not matter if you are right-handed with small hands (PX-S2), right-handed with large hands (PX-L2), left-handed (PX-M2-L), or want a version with rolling handles for repetitive pruning work, it is possible to choose the handle type and blade size that is right for you. (The last number on the model number refers to the blade size, so a PX-M1 has a small blade for light pruning like deadheading roses, a PX-M2 has a medium blade for general use, and a PX-M3 has a large blade for more lopper-like action, but can cause strain on your wrists if not used with caution).

No mess – Stays sharp

Even though it is a minimal addition, I really love the sap groove on the Bahco PX-M2. This little inlet on the blade keeps the sap away from the blade as much as possible. This ensures that the blade stays cleaner… longer. Not only does that just cut down on the overall mess, but I also do not have to worry about constantly stopping to clean my pruners. There is nothing more frustrating than ‘getting in the zone’ and having to clean the blade all the time. I find that I need to sharpen the blades about once a week if I use them regularly, in contrast to my old Coronas which got nicked constantly and needed frequent tuneups.

So is it perfect?

Even though I love my Bahco PX-M2, there is a design flaw in them that is rather frustrating. The clasping mechanism does not work as well as I would like, especially because it tends to become clogged with sap or grit. This makes it tough to close. However, there’s a trick to using them that I recently discovered: squeeze the handles before trying to clasp or unclasp them. This releases the clasp and makes it much easier to use.

My conclusion

If you only use your pruners an hour a week or less, you might balk at the price at first. However, if you use a pruner regularly, you will see why this is becoming such a popular choice for landscape professionals, agricultural professionals like in the vineyards or propagation nurseries, and gardening enthusiasts alike.

If you do not have a quality pair of pruners yet, make sure that you save yourself some hand cramps and frustration – get a pair of quality pruners. Even though there are cheaper alternatives on the market, these often made my hands hurt, fell apart, or made garden work feel like a struggle.

Before I begin my review, I have to preface it with the fact that I do not actually own the Black and Decker 40V MAX Lithium String Trimmer (LST136W) myself. However, if you were to ask my neighbor (who I borrow this weedeater from frequently) he might suggest that the frequency with which I borrow his makes me at least a part-time owner.

I personally feel that this is one of the best cordless trimmers I have used. It has a 40-volt lithium ion battery system that is powerful enough to get the job done, but it’s lightweight enough to where I do not feel that it is going to harm my shoulder or extend my arms too much.

Why go cordless?

There are a few benefits to having a cordless weedeater. Some of my favorite benefits include:

• No fuel – The fact that you do not have to deal with the initial gasoline smell is a large benefit. For some reason, those fumes make me nauseous. Especially when first firing it up.
• No cord – This sounds straightforward enough (cordless, yeah it is right there in the name) but someone who shall not be mentioned (OK…it was me) managed to cut through the cord of the previous trimmer with the trimmer itself. It is also nice that you are not dragging electrical cords through wet grass.

The battery rocks

Someone explain to me why it takes me more than an hour to charge my iPhone, but you can charge the LST136W battery in about half an hour? Because there is no spare battery (more on that later), it is nice that you do not have to wait forever for the battery to charge. Depending on the usage, you can expect the battery to last about 40 minutes.

The PowerCommand dial

Aside from the fact that it has a really cool name, the PowerCommand dial is a very useful addition to this weedeater. It allows you to go full steam ahead (it can handle about 8500 RPM) and take care of some of the tougher weeds in your garden. If you are just doing a bit of ‘touching up’ in your garden, you can opt for the maximum runtime setting (the weedeater then moves at 6500 RPM), which means that your battery is going to last longer.

Lightweight indeed

Another benefit that I briefly touched upon is the fact that this Black&Decker 40V MAX Lithium String Trimmer is so much lighter than comparable, gasoline-powered models. Yes, you are giving up the ability to work for hours on end, but you are much more flexible for it. You can easily handle it around the edges, making it especially useful around narrow places.

What I did not like

There is no ‘perfect’ machine. Because it’s not fuel-powered, you have to rely on the battery. It would be nice if Black&Decker had included a secondary battery. The lack of a second battery means that you have to remember to take it out and charge it, meaning you cannot work and charge at the same time. Especially if you have a much larger yard than I do, chances are that you might find the battery running out if you forgot to charge it. However, you can buy spare batteries on Amazon, which would eliminate this complaint (Note from Gen: I own the hedge trimmer from this line and love it – and the batteries are interchangeable between the string trimmer, hedger, and blower, so if you have more than one, you will already have a spare that you can put to work!).

My verdict

If you have a massive garden or just do not want to worry about charging the battery all the time, it might not be for you. However, there is a reason that the LST136W receives glowing reviews from other people (and why I keep bothering my neighbor for his). It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, doesn’t have that incessant vibration that gas-powered ones do, and is comfortable to use.

If you want a quality electric string trimmer, the Black and Decker 40V MAX Lithium String Trimmer is a great option at a decent price. You will be surprised how quickly you are going to go through the weeds with these. Whether you need a new one or just want to replace a bulky gas-powered option, I would definitely recommend picking up one of these trimmers (or, just find a neighbor that has one!).

Buy the Black and Decker 40V MAX Lithium Cordless String Trimmer (LST136W) here: Amazon.com

Every gardener has a certain tool that he or she can’t live without. Not only that, but lending that special tool to any other person is out of the question; nope, it just isn’t done.

Whether you received that tool as a gift or picked it out yourself, it just felt good in your hand the first time you picked it up and held it close. Now the two of you are inseparable. So what is my special tool? Why, the Flexrake CLA105 Classic Flower and Vegetable Tiller, which was given to me by my husband.

My husband, who knows nothing about gardening, bought my special tool for me for my birthday about 5 years ago as a random, spur of the moment purchase. He did a wonderful job in picking it out too. I took one look at it, hefted its weight in my hand and declared myself in love. When I asked why he chose that particular tool he just said that it looked like something I would like. It was sharp and wicked looking, he had said with a grin.

It has a high quality steel blade on one end that’s carbon and heat treated for strength. It reminds me of a flat axe blade on one end and the other end looks like a finger rake that works out at the gym. This tool could do some serious damage if needed for protection- if I was attacked by a rabid tomato I suppose. At any rate, from then on forward, the Flexrake Flower and Vegetable Tiller became known as “THE TOOL.”

Now “THE TOOL”, when it was new, had a beautiful shiny hand turned oak handle. The shine is a little dull and well-worn from use now and the bright green non-slip grip is a darker shade of green from dirt and honest sweat. But just because it isn’t as bright and shiny as it once was doesn’t mean “THE TOOL” has outlived its usefulness. “THE TOOL” and I are still getting broken in as far as I am concerned.

The purpose of “THE TOOL” is for digging, planting or weeding. I have done all three with it and have been remarkably pleased. To elaborate, “THE TOOL” digs deep holes for planting. It goes as deep as you need it to go to make sure the roots of the plant are nestled in the ground. You can tap around the plant gently with the flat blade end after it’s in the ground to make sure the soil is firm around the roots. And if you have weeds, “THE TOOL” will dig into the root of the weeds and easily get rid of them with one fell swoop.

What I love about it, though, is what it does above and beyond the call of duty. You have a tough rock which needs prying out? Just stick the end of the blade side against the rock and wiggle back and forth. Then turn it around to the prong side and just see if that doesn’t pry it out. I’ve pulled many a tough rock out of my garden with “THE TOOL.” Also, say you have an area that has a tough grass issue that keeps popping up. With “THE TOOL”, you can remove the grass and any other bothersome weeds by scraping the sharp end against the grass or weeds and pulling towards you. It rips everything out by the roots, leaving a nice patch of dirt to plant in.

It’s also great for relocating spiders by balancing them on the end of the blade and gently placing them elsewhere in your garden. Too, I find that “THE TOOL” is excellent at removing stray leaves which are wedged in between plants and rocks by using the finger rake end. Also if I’m stuck in the kneeling position, as I get older I find this to become more common I hate to admit, it’s great to help boost me to my feet by placing the head of it on the ground and pushing upward. “THE TOOL” is truly a multi-task tool.

When I have to eventually retire “THE TOOL”, it will hang on my tool shed wall in a place of honor for a job well done. But until then, you’ll have to excuse us; we have some digging to do!

Best place to buy: Amazon.com

While many home gardeners whip out the trowel or the sprayer to deal with weeds, there’s an easy, chemical-free option that most gardeners haven’t yet tried. Weed torches are a great no-bend solution for weeds in sidewalk cracks, gravel driveways, or along fence lines where it can be difficult to weed.

Weed torches work by burning off the protective coating on leaves so the weed can no longer hold moisture or photosynthesize. Weeds start to shrivel within hours, and your kids and pets are safe to come out as soon as you turn off the flame. While mature weeds can come back from the roots, 2-3 treatments will knock them down for good.

While the idea of cranking up a torch to deal with garden weeds may seem intimidating, in fact the tool is straightforward to use. You simply light it with a spark (there’s a special tool for it so you can keep your hands safe!), then pass the flame over the weeds a few times. You’ll know you’ve been effective if you can pinch the flamed weed and leave a fingerprint (see below).

You can use the torch within two feet of mature shrubs and trees, but should avoid coming close to herbaceous perennials. It’s also not safe to flame in areas where there’s dry brush or dry conifer needles nearby, and you should avoid torching weed mat. While I’ve never set anything thoroughly on fire while flaming, it’s a good idea to keep a hose at the ready just in case.

For those with cold winters, weed torches are a great multi-purpose tool. A quick once-over with the weed torch can de-ice pathways and make them safe to walk. Thick sheets of ice can be melted at one edge, then lifted and removed from the walkway. You can also use them to sterilize animal cages or thaw frozen pipes.

Two types of torch

I tested two types of weed torch – the Mini Weed Dragon 25,000 BTU torch (handheld, works with a one pound propane tank as shown) and the regular Red Dragon 400,000 BTU propane torch (where you pull a wheeled dolly with a 20 pound propane tank behind you).

(Note: There is also a 100,000 BTU Weed Dragon torch that uses less propane than the 400,000 BTU model, but is otherwise identical. However, since the 400,000 BTU model lets you adjust the amount of propane with a little knob, I don’t see why you’d purchase the model that only has the option for 1/4 the power. You can always turn the propane down on the more powerful model, and the prices are similar.)

The Mini (left) has the advantage of being lightweight and extremely maneuverable. When used with a one pound propane canister, the Mini weighs in at less than four pounds, and since that small canister screws right into the torch itself, you don’t need to stay on stable ground as you do when wheeling a propane tank behind you.

But the disadvantage is that the mini has a much smaller flame and so takes longer to use, and also sputters out on windy days. It also doesn’t have a squeeze valve, so you can’t turn it on and off quickly while operating. I’d recommend the Mini in situations where you will be hitting only small areas of weeds such as in sidewalk or pathway cracks.

If you have a large gravel driveway or just a large property in general, the regular Red Dragon torch with the squeezable on-off valve on the handle will be the one for you, but since that one operates with a 20 pound propane canister you will also need to pick up the wheeled dolly to make it easy to maneuver. The regular is much more powerful and doesn’t sputter out on windy days like the Mini.

Since a pound of propane can last for up to an hour of torching, weed torches are much more economical than organic weed sprays, which work via a similar action (burning off the waxy cuticle on leaves so the plant can’t retain moisture or nutrients).

A great tool, but let’s keep it real

While flaming is an easy (and fun) technique for getting rid of weeds on patios, pathways, and around mature trees and shrubs, you’ll want to keep a realistic idea of what it can do for you. It has very similar limitations to organic weed sprays, in that it is most effective on tiny weeds, and may not fully kill a big, tough weed on the first treatment. It is also most effective when the plant is actively growing, so while you can torch in winter, it works much better in the dry season.

The one distinction I’d make between the action of the torch and organic weed sprays is that the torch, especially the Mini, takes more time to use than just doing a quick spray. Tiny weeds may need two passes with the torch, while tough weeds may need five or more passes with the flame. However, the benefit to torching is that it is much safer in the sense that all organic sprays are incredibly corrosive on skin and in eyes. It’s also a lot cheaper, as a one pound propane canister is $3, and enough spray to do a similar area can run $20+.

One tip for getting the most out of your torch is to plan to do two runs a few days apart. One run to lightly torch each weed just enough so that it shrivels after a couple days, and a second run to actually burn off the dried foliage after the weeds die. This makes torching much neater than spraying because you don’t have to look at the dead weeds sitting there afterwards.

I love my weed torch and use it often on the weeds in the cracks of my sidewalk and along a chain link fence where I can’t easily weed by hand. While you’ll still need to fine-tune within garden beds and around young plants, using a weeding torch is fun, safe, and takes very little setup.

Buy the Mini Weed Dragon here (shown in photos): Amazon.com

Buy the Regular Red Dragon propane torch (with squeeze valve) here: Amazon.com

Buy the propane tank dolly here: Amazon.com

(A much shorter version of this review originally appeared in Fine Gardening Magazine.)

Hand pruners are a contentious topic among gardeners, because we’re all so madly in love with our chosen style. Though gardeners will vehemently defend the honor of their favorite pruner, there’s one brand you’ve probably never even heard of: the Bahco Ergo PX line of hand pruner.

This little-known European brand, long trusted by professional landscapers, plant propagators, and orchardists, has been gaining steam through word of mouth. Though they aren’t pretty (with their industrial orange-and-black color scheme), they cut so smoothly that once you test them you’ll look for excuses to get out and prune.

Because the Bahco Ergo PX was engineered for professional use, it has a number of features which prevent strain and soreness when pruning for long periods of time. The handle is curved to fit the contours of your hand, so pressure is evenly applied when making pruning cuts. The blade is angled steeply downward to provide leverage and keep the wrist in a neutral position. And the tilted pruning head lets you make close cuts without bending your wrist. These small design perks add up to create a sublimely comfortable pruning experience for homeowners as well as pros.

A completely customizable pruner. Options include:

• Handle size and type. While the medium size fits most people, if you have small or large hands, you can get handles to suit. A rotating handle is also available for repetitive pruning tasks.
• Blade size. Choose a small blade if you’ve ever had carpal tunnel syndrome, as it will reduce wrist strain. The medium blade is good for cutting stems up to 3/4 inch thick and is still good for preventing injury, while the large blade is best for the occasional big job as it cuts branches that are a whopping 1 and 1/4 inches thick.
• Spring tension. The high-tension spring pops the pruners open quickly after each cut, while the low-tension spring requires less force to close.
• Left-handed. Lefties can go for the standard medium handle and medium head, or can opt for the rotating handle.

Much as I adore these pruners, they do have one flaw. The clasp that holds the pruners closed is ineffective, so the pruners swing open at inopportune moments. To solve the problem, I carry my Bahcos in a holster which keeps them closed for me.

Aside from that, these pruners are a joy to use in every way. By designing a tool that cuts with such comfort and ease, Bahco has won loyal fans among landscape professionals and others who take their pruning seriously.

Buy the Bahco Ergo PX here: Amazon.com

(An edited version of this article was originally published in Fine Gardening Magazine.)

If sharpening your pruners is a task you dread, you probably aren’t using the Speedy Sharp. This compact sharpener fits in the palm of your hand, and makes sharpening fast and fun.

While most people sharpen tools in winter, hand pruners need sharpening much more often – every 2-10 hours depending on the brand of pruner (Felcos need sharpening more often, Bahcos less). A dull set of pruners puts strain on the wrists and can leave you struggling to get a smooth cut. So why do so many gardeners put off this simple task?

Well, anyone who’s used an old-school file to sharpen knows that it’s awkward and time-consuming. Most files are too bulky to fit easily against a pruner’s blade, and the number of strokes it takes to sharpen makes the process seem like a bigger project than it is.

The Speedy Sharp changes all of that. It uses a super-strong carbide blade to sharpen in just a few quick swipes, and it’s so small it angles easily onto your pruning blade for that perfect edge.

To use, just set the shiny end of the Speedy Sharp flat against the beveled edge of your pruner blade. Then tilt the Speedy Sharp away from the blade, and use moderate pressure to run the Speedy Sharp along the length of the blade towards the tip. Repeat 10 times, and you’re done. If you want a smoother finish, hone by tilting the Speedy Sharp in the opposite direction and running it over the blade a couple more times.

Why you’ll love it

You can sharpen hand pruners in less than 30 seconds.

It also works great on loppers, pole pruners, and hedgers.

A hole in the handle lets you clip the Speedy Sharp to your belt loop or bucket so it won’t get lost.

The lifetime warranty makes this a tool you can count on.

The one sad flaw

The color selection makes me think the product is geared more towards hunters and outdoorsmen than gardeners. At the hardware store or at Amazon, it comes standard in an unattractive shade of industrial orange. While the traffic-cone color makes it easy to find if you drop it, I’d prefer a stylish purple or maybe a dishy chartreuse version. That said, if you want to call the company direct to order it, you can choose from functional-looking shades of orange, green, blue, red, black, or yellow.

My take?

The Speedy Sharp makes sharpening your tools fast, effortless, and fun. Once you get used to pruning with a freshly-sharpened blade, you’ll find you don’t want to be without this tiny but useful tool.

Best sources to buy the Speedy Sharp: Amazon.com, ebay.com

An edited version of this review was originally published in Fine Gardening Magazine.

I’m a huge fan of the Fiskars StaySharp line of mowers, and have owned the premium version of this mower, the Staysharp Max, for about two years. It was such a relief to be able to get rid of my old gas-powered mower, which was smelly, noisy, and had such a difficult-to-pull cord that even my brawny other half had trouble getting it started.

Though we’d considered investing in a push mower for some time, traditional reel mowers are hard to push, a bit on the noisy side, and get rusty and funky fast, so they need a lot of maintenance to stay in good shape. This Fiskars line of mowers, by contrast, is quiet enough that I can have a conversation while mowing, and they are made of good enough materials that I haven’t had to sharpen mine yet.

While it gets my heart pumping to use, it’s more of an aerobic exercise than one that takes muscles or may cause injury. In fact, it’s so fun to use that my other half was willing to take on the task of lawn care and mowing! He has neck and back issues but found this an easy and fun way of staying fit and helping around the house.

The benefits of a reel mower are numerous – the blades get a cleaner cut than rotary (most gas) mowers so you don’t get brown tips on your grass, they cut the clippings into much smaller pieces so you can leave the clippings without them chunking up on the lawn and looking messy (I can hardly see the clippings and they break down very quickly), and you get a finer look since there are more blades cutting.

Which StaySharp mower to pick?

Because there are three mowers in this line and they scale up in price according to their feature sets, you might think that the right mower for you would seem like a straightforward choice dictated by how much money you have. However, each mower in the lineup has its own strengths and weaknesses built into the design which may lead you to actually prefer one of the lower-priced models.

There are three options: the StaySharp (cheapest), Staysharp Plus (mid-range), and the Staysharp Max (which has more premium features to handle tough situations).

Fiskars StaySharp Mower

The StaySharp is the budget option, and is also the most like a traditional reel mower. It has a rear grass discharge which does sprinkle grass clippings on your shoes. There is a grass catcher available to purchase (link at bottom).

The shield covering the blades in front is good for people who might need to mow close to shrubs and don’t want to catch the limbs on the front of the blades. It also prevents clippings from being thrown onto the sidewalk, flowerbeds, or buildings if you approach from the front.

Since the grass catcher is behind the mower in this case, it does not obstruct your mowing view while using it. This is in contrast to the most expensive mower in the lineup, the Max, which has its grass catcher positioned in front of the blades.

The downsides to the regular StaySharp are that it has less power in the gear system so may need a little more strength to push than with the other two, it does not have inset wheels for mowing closer to the edge, and it does not cut as high as four inches like the other models do (it goes from 1.5 to 3.5 inches). Organic gardeners will know that 4 inches is truly an ideal length for preventing weeds and preserving water in the lawn, but 3.5 inches is still better than most mowers (most gas-powered mowers only go to 3”).

The verdict: Use this if you have a flat lawn with few weeds (so you don’t need power) and you want to use a grass catcher with every mow.

Fiskars StaySharp Plus Mower

The StaySharp Plus has a forward discharge to keep clippings away from users’ feet, like the Max. It does not work with a grass catcher, which is fine for most organic gardeners because it is far better to leave the clippings, and these mowers cut the clippings into tiny pieces.

The Plus has slightly larger wheels and slightly more power than the regular version, so can handle more weeds or a mild slope. It cuts from 1.5″ to 4″.

The verdict: This is the budget option for those who don’t want a grass catching bag. It has slightly better features than the regular StaySharp, except that the StaySharp is all set up to work with a grass catcher. The Plus is most similar to the Max, and if you have the money, I would choose the Max over this one, as the only advantage to the Plus is the lower price.

Fiskars StaySharp Max Mower (formerly the Momentum Mower)

The StaySharp Max has an inset wheel design which gives it a closer cut along the edges of your lawn, and eliminates any areas of lawn that get flattened and then don’t get cut. By the time your wheels run over the grass, you have trimmed it. This gives you a better result in the end and makes mowing cleaner and easier to control.

It also has a LOT more power. While I liked using the regular StaySharp and found it a huge improvement over normal reel mowers, the StaySharp Max felt like a dream to run. It’s downright airy! You get it going with a little push and the cutting reels turn and turn with little input after that. The chain drive mechanism makes it easier to push in the first place, and then the way the blades keep moving makes it feel as though the tool is making the most of my effort.

The Max has a front-discharge, so does not spray grass on your shoes. However, used with the grass-catcher bag, it can obstruct your view of where you are mowing since the bag sits in the front. If you plan to use the grass catcher every time, you might consider whether the cheapest StaySharp model has enough power for you.

The Max is ten pounds heavier than the other two, which sounds bad but actually makes it easier to get momentum to cut through tougher weeds. It cuts from 1-4″, so it has the biggest range of cut heights. I used it on a slope and found it pretty easy to deal with. My home lawn is bumpy and somewhat weedy and this has no problem, except for very wiry weeds which I just cut with my hedgers or string-trimmer.

The verdict: If you can afford it, this is probably the mower to get. It has WAY more power to it which makes it impressively easy to push. It also has more options (grass catcher, cutting heights), and the features are ones that make mowing more fun. However, if you do plan to use the grass-catcher with every mow and you have a flat lawn with no weeds, the regular StaySharp may be better because the grass-catcher sits in back and doesn’t obstruct your view as you mow. Otherwise, the Max is the best mower for eco-friendly lawns.

A caveat on all of the manual mowers

The one downside to every one of these mowers (and the old reel mowers too) is that they won’t cut down tall grasses, particularly wiry ones. So you have to keep up with your lawn care and not let it get out of control. A gas mower can chew through some overgrowth, but these just knock it down if it gets really tall and won’t do anything to it at all. So if you don’t have super-regular lawn-mowing habits, I’d pair any of these mowers with a string trimmer/ weed whacker which can double as an edger and be your backup in case you go away and forget to have your house-sitter mow.

Best sources to buy:

Fiskars StaySharp Mower: Amazon.com
Fiskars StaySharp Plus Mower: Amazon.com
Fiskars StaySharp Max Mower: Amazon.com
Grass-catcher for the regular StaySharp: Amazon.com
Grass-catcher for the StaySharp Max: Amazon.com
Blade maintenance kit for the StaySharp line of mowers: Amazon.com

Because the world of hori-horis is constantly growing, I’ll update this post every time I test a new version.

The Best: Garret Wade Pro Gardener’s Digging Tool

This rugged soil knife has become the top favorite for myself and my landscaping crew. Strangely, I didn’t like the looks of it at first glance. That rectangle of metal between the blade and the handle (they call it a “hand guard”) looked like it was going to get in my way. And before I actually tried it, I didn’t care for the wide teeth on the blade as they looked like they’d snag on things and be hard to sharpen.

Boy was I ever wrong. I’m glad I tested it, because from day one, it became one of those tools everyone on the team reached for. I had to fight to get my original back long enough to photograph it.

There are five elements which make the Pro Gardener’s Digging Tool the best soil knife out there:

• · The blade is offset, which gives great leverage when weeding or digging. Instead of having the blade shoot straight out from the handle, it is offset from the midline of the blade by about 1.5 inches. You wouldn’t believe how much easier it is to pop weeds out when your tool’s giving you extra leverage.
• · It has a non-slip ridged grip, and the red handle color makes it easy to find in the garden if you drop it.
• · The entire handle is steel with a plasticized coating, so it’s unlikely to come apart or break like pretty much every other soil knife will (in time).
• · Those wide teeth I didn’t like the look of? Man was I mistaken. The downward angle of the teeth lets the blade slice into sod or soil like it’s nothing, or cut away the tightly-wrapped roots on a rootbound shrub when transplanting. You can sharpen the teeth as well, it just takes a little more effort than with the standard Japanese hori-hori with a straight blade.
• · Lastly, the hand guard that I thought would annoy me has actually saved my knuckles on more than one occasion, and my foreman says that he liked how the hand guard let him wedge his hand on the handle really good so he could work more vigorously without his hand slipping off.
• It is also available in a left-handed model with the serration on the left side. This allows left handers to work without the serrated part snagging on weeds when you’re trying to move quickly.

The verdict:

If you’re a professional landscaper, serious gardener, or love having the best tool available, this is my pick. It’s built solidly, has a ridges nonslip handle and that offset blade for leverage, and will let you bust through a variety of tasks with little effort. It is made of nearly-indestructible carbon steel (which on other brands of hori-hori can feel heavy and clunky), but this one still manages to feel lightweight and effortless to use.

The only downside to this tool is the price. At about $60 you’ll be pretty grouchy if you lose it in the compost, but luckily the red handle is pretty easy to find in the garden. Plus, it comes with a sheath that you can wear on your belt or attach to your gardening bucket.

Buy the pro gardener’s digging tool from: Garrett Wade

Second Best: Joshua Roth/ Nisaku/ Green Top/ Tomita Stainless Steel Hori Hori

These four brands of Japanese soil knife are identical as far as I can tell, varying only in the brand name stamped on the blade (GrowTech is the one brand of stainless steel digging tool I would avoid – more on that below). The best thing about this type of soil knife is its simplicity. This is an effective, inoffensive hori-hori that everyone will love. The stainless steel means it is lightweight so less stress on your wrist, the blade has a smooth surface that slices through even compacted clay soil with ease, and it will never rust even if you mistreat it (I have tested this claim – look at that ancient, seven-year-old hori-hori above – still kicking!). The only thing I don’t care for is the rectangular shape of the handle. It’s perfectly comfortable, but not ergonomic, so it’s not the 100% best choice for pros.

The blade itself has a handy little ruler stamped on one side so you can plant bulbs at the right depth, and both the straight and the serrated blade edges are easy to sharpen as needed. The metal of the blade continues into the handle by 2.25″, and while I kind of wish the metal continued the length of the handle for sturdiness, I have to admit that the blades have never come loose in many years of using these tools professionally and having my crews use them full-time. The blade is held onto the handle with two rivets. (If you tend to use your hori-hori as a hammer, you should be aware that these rivets will eventually come loose with such treatment. Really, get a freakin’ hammer and use your hori-hori as intended!)

If you’re in the market for a Japanese hori-hori, you may have noticed there are two different options for the metal. There is carbon steel, which is heavy and black, and stainless steel, which is lightweight and silver. Here’s the difference between the two:

Stainless steel, my favorite, is:

• · Shiny silver
• · Lightweight (less likely to cause repetitive stress injuries if you garden for a long time)
• · Smooth (muck and mud do not stick to the blade when weeding in winter)
• · Paired with a wood that has a smooth finish on it so it doesn’t collect mud either
• · Easy to sharpen
• · More likely to bend if you use it as a pry bar or hammer (but my Joshua Roth, Nisaku, and Green Top hori-horis have never broken or bent under daily professional landscaping use)

Carbon steel, which I hate in this style of hori hori, is:

• · Matte black
• · Heavy (more likely to cause wrist injury if used for a long time)
• · Rough and has a porous-feeling surface which collects mud and feels harder to push into the soil
• · Paired with a porous, unfinished wooden handle which collects mud and is difficult to clean
• · Harder to sharpen
• · Unlikely to bend or break even if used as a hammer or pry bar

The verdict:

Though this isn’t my favorite hori-hori (I prefer the Garrett Wade one above with the rounded handle and powerful offset blade), if you’re a hori-hori newbie, this is a good one to start with, as it’s a mid-range price (about $35) and you won’t find anything to dislike about it. It’s a comfortable tool that will last a long time. Spray paint the handle a gaudy color so it doesn’t get lost in the garden.

Buy the Joshua Roth/ Nisaku/ Green Top/ Tomita hori-hori from: Amazon.com, or a second seller at Amazon.com (prime)

The Worst: GrowTech Hori-Hori

This is the biggest ripoff going around the garden tool world right now. The GrowTech hori-hori claims to be stainless steel, yet rusts profusely at the first sign of moisture, has a cheap blade that is bent (bent!) to fit properly into the handle, and has a worthless glaze on the wood which wears off in spotty patches. I have managed to break two out of three of the ones I have owned in less than 18 months, and the last is so rusty (see above) that I’d feel like a bad boss handing it out to one of my employees to use.

The problem is, GrowTech hori-horis look like the higher-quality Joshua Roth/ Nisaku/ Green Top hori-horis from a distance. Worse, they’re sold under a number of different names by companies that I usually think of as reputable, such as Gardener’s Supply and ARS. The way you can definitively tell a junky GrowTech one is by looking for a little bend or fold in the metal where it hits the handle. It’s hard to see that in the rusty one above, but if you compare the shape of the GrowTech to the good ones shown above – look right in the spot where the blade meets the handle – you can avoid being fooled by this cheap imitator.

The verdict:

Don’t do it.

Mock the GrowTech hori-hori at: Amazon.com

The “Almost” (best for petite hands): A.M. Leonard Deluxe Stainless Steel Soil Knife

Held by an exceptionally petite-handed person, this soil knife looks proportionate. For my small-glove-sized self, the end of the handle hits me mid-palm, making this an uncomfortable choice.

I actually really love this serviceable soil knife, especially given the reasonable mid-range price tag (about $28). It’s well made, long-lasting, and the handle is pleasantly rounded for a comfortable grip. I also like the style of the serration, which is jagged and sharp and could cut a tomato into slices. It’s very effective at dividing plants and cutting small roots.

Unfortunately, this tool has a fatal flaw for most people. It’s that ridiculously short handle! When held as intended using the thumb rest, it doesn’t even come to the end of my palm, so I found myself using a disproportionate amount of force trying to keep a strong grip on the knife as I worked. Not good. My other quibble is a very small one: you need to buy the sheath separately, if you want one.

Highlights:

• Non-rusting stainless steel
• Lightweight, so less wrist strain
• Jagged “dual cut” serration cuts small roots easily on the up- and the down-stroke, and is sharp enough to cut you, which I consider a bonus (I wear gloves when I work, so a sharp tool is all benefit and no pain)
• Inch markers on the blade, for bulb planting
• Orange handle is easy to find in the garden, and has a comfortable, ergonomic shape (if you have tiny hands)
• A hole in the handle lets you attach a carabiner or cord to the handle
• Twine-cutting notch in the handle, which is somewhat effective at the job indicated

The verdict:

It’s too bad that an otherwise well-designed, low-priced tool has been crippled by a disproportionately short grip area on the handle. I wear a small in gloves, and still found the handle so short that I could not use my palm to steady the handle as I worked. However, if you have petite hands, this is an awesome model that will fit you great and be a long-lasting, comfortable choice.

Buy the Leonard deluxe stainless steel soil knife from: Amazon.com or A.M. Leonard

Another “Almost”: Fiskars Big Grip Soil Knife

As compared to the Nisaku/ Joshua Roth/ Tomita stainless Hori Hori.

The postage stamp serrated edge on the Fiskars Big Grip Soil Knife.

While I never personally adored using this soil knife, this was the standard soil knife for my landscaping crew for some time, because the tool is dirt cheap ($8) and I never felt compelled to give a lecture when they inevitably got lost. They also have a fat grip that is comfortable and reduces wrist strain.

What I don’t like about it is the dandelion fork at the tip. How often do you need that dandelion fork, and how often does it just get in the way? The dandelion fork part isn’t even all that effective, especially in lawns where the fork catches in the grass and won’t push down. I find myself using more force with this tool just because of that forked tip.

It’s also not going to last a lifetime. While they don’t rust if kept dry and used often, the blade is made of cast aluminum with a rust-resistant coating on it. That’s a far cry from either stainless or carbon steel. And the metal from the blade doesn’t extend all the way through the handle, as you’ll find when it eventually breaks.

The verdict:

For $8, if you’re the type of person who loses your tools in the garden and doesn’t want to have to cry about it, this is a good way of trying out a soil knife and seeing if you end up using it enough to justify the cost of a better one. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you when you find yourself annoyed by that dandelion fork tip.

Buy the Fiskars big grip soil knife from: Amazon.com

As a landscaping professional, I have very little patience for inefficient tools. That’s why I can never understand why so many people favor a tool as insipid and useless as a trowel. Do you need a weeding tool, or something to plant bulbs or tiny plant starts with? If so, a sharp, straight-bladed hori hori is a much better choice. Do you want a garden scoop for filling planters with potting soil and planting containers? If so, a soil scoop is the tool for you.

Here, I’ve tested and compared three standout brands of soil scoop. They each have differences such as handle style, size of scoop, and the features of the scoop itself, such as whether the blade is serrated or smooth, or whether it has a sharp hook to slice open bags of potting soil.

Before I give you a rundown of the differences so that you can tell which one will be best for you, here are some photos of my favorite three soil scoops, both front and back, so you can get an idea of their comparative sizes and shapes:

Left to right – Radius Garden Scooper, Garden Works Soil Scoop, DeWit Potting Scoop.

Radius Garden Scooper

I’ve long been a fan of Radius Garden’s tools, because they are one of the few companies which pays close attention to ergonomics. I work with such a wide variety of people – gardening professionals, older people, and passionate gardeners with disabilities – and everybody (even the 20-something guys on my landscaping crew) seems to appreciate the wide, comfortable, nonslip grip of the Radius Garden line. The grip on their hand tool line is particularly helpful for those with arthritis, because you can hold the tool in a variety of ways.

This scooping tool has the widest scoop of any of the brands I tested (so it holds plenty of soil), yet has a shallower dish than the DeWit brand, making it easier to maneuver when planting. It also has gently serrated sides, so you can open that bag of potting soil or score the roots on young starts. Though I personally would’ve placed the serrations a little closer to the front of the scoop to make it easier to open bags of potting soil (it takes a little doing to git’ er done), I’m guessing the manufacturers were trying to make the tool a little less likely to cut us, which I’m sure is a worthy goal, my own penchant for lethality in tools notwithstanding.

Features of the Radius Garden Scooper:

• Best multipurpose tool, since it is has both a large scooping surface, as well as a somewhat shallow dish which makes it easier to maneuver when planting.
• Smooth, stainless steel surface is unlikely to rust, and the shiny surface doesn’t pick up caked soil.
• Serrated corners can cut through tangled roots when planting, as well as open bags of soil or amendment. While the serrations aren’t as deep as I’d like, they’re still about 80% effective
• Fat, curved grip is nonslip, provides great leverage with little wrist strain, and can be held in a variety of ways, making it my top pick for anyone with carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis.
• Comes in a variety of colors, such as lime green, purple (squee!), orange, yellow, hot pink, and turquoise. I fail to see why anyone would buy any color except purple, but to each their own, right?
• Obviously constructed to last. While Radius Garden is a small company, they’ve been remarkably good about responding to customers and providing great service. They stand behind their tools, which means a lot to me.

Overall, this is the best multipurpose potting scoop because the shape makes it easy to do multiple types of task. The stainless steel blade/ scoop is sturdy enough to handle gardening in actual soil, so it can be used in vegetable beds as well as simply container plantings. And the extra leverage provided by that comfortable handle makes it a pleasure to use.

Best sources to buy the Radius Garden Scooper: Amazon.com, RadiusGarden.com

Garden Works Soil Scoop

This scoop is the best one for impatient gardeners. I don’t bother scooping potting soil out with a scoop, I usually dump it directly out of the bag and then sweep up afterwards. That said, it is really nice when doing container gardening to have a tool that’s meant to hold soil back as I tuck in potted plants, and here this small and easily maneuverable potting scoop fills the bill.

I love the sharp tip, which lets me scoop and scrape with ease. The serrations on the side are small but deep enough to be highly effective at cutting out rootbound plants, and the depth of the scoop itself the shallow enough that it’s honestly more like a scary trowel than a soil scoop. This suits me just fine, as I like to use my soil scoop in vegetable gardening and other applications where the soil isn’t always as soft as in container gardening.

Features of the Garden Works Soil Scoop:

• Streamlined scoop design great for fast gardeners, but scoop itself holds a minimal amount of soil.
• Pointed tip makes it excellent for scoring rows in vegetable gardens, using as a dibble for planting seeds, and scraping away stubborn baby weeds.
• Serrations are sharp and very effective.
• The handle is available in both a rubberized nonslip grip, and a lacquered wood finish which has a slightly more bulbous, rounded shape. Each has its advantages; I love the nonslip grip of the colored ones, yet the shape of the wooden one fits more naturally in my hand.
• Handles are available in natural birchwood, purple, yellow, blue, pink, red, and a kicky lime green.
• Unfortunately, the company has been unresponsive to customer questions and complaints. Worse, a few of their tools have only lasted me a year or two of professional use, as the handle sometimes comes separated from the working end.

Overall, if you’re an impatient gardener like myself, and don’t really need the scooping qualities of a soil scoop so much as the ability to do container gardening quickly and effectively, this is probably your best shot. That said, given my experiences with poor customer service and a few tools that haven’t lasted, I have to give the caveat that if you buy it, there’s a risk it won’t last. Still, this is the scoop I personally reach for first, and I’d have no hesitation purchasing it again.

Best sources to buy the Garden Works Soil Scoop: eBay.com, Amazon.com

DeWit Potting Scoop

Looking for old world craftsmanship in your gardening tools? Longing for those days when hand-forged steel and strong wood like European ash was a given, and you knew you’d purchased a tool you could pass on to your grandkids? DeWit is a company in Holland that’s been around since 1898, and they stand behind their tools with a lifetime guarantee.

This scoop has the biggest volume for actually scooping potting soil of any of the brands I’ve tried, because of the tall, curved sides. If you mix your own potting soils, fill a lot of vertical gardening wall pockets, or otherwise consider the scooping ability of potting scoops to be primary, this is definitely the scoop for you.

The sharp notch on the side is the most effective implement for opening potting soil or amendment bags – far better than serrated edges or even using my hand pruners. And the wooden handle, while not ergonomic by modern standards, has a thoughtful and comfortable curve to it which allows me to feel at one with the tool when using it.

Features of the DeWit Potting Scoop:

• Made of solid, nearly indestructible materials – carbon steel and European ash, and has a lifetime warranty.
• Best scooping capacity of all the scoops I’ve tried, however the deep curve of the scoop makes it less useful as a multipurpose tool.
• Notched edge is superior for cutting open bags of potting soil or amendments, however if you plan to use the scoop for container gardening you should be aware that there is no serration on the sides for scoring tangled roots.
• Handle has a comfortable curve that feels natural in my hand.

Overall, if scooping capacity is key for you (you mix your own potting soils, do a lot of vertical gardening, or just scoop a lot of soil or amendments by hand), this is the best soil scoop for those uses. However, since it doesn’t have serrations, and the scoop is so deep, it’s not the most effective multipurpose tool.

Best sources to buy the DeWit Potting Scoop: GardenToolCompany.com, Amazon.com (not currently carrying), Garrett Wade (not currently carrying)

Sunblock may not be the sexiest of topics, but if you’ve ever turned an unappealing shade of flamingo after gardening without sun protection, you know how important it is.

While garden hats offer the best protection for your face, some of us (ahem) don’t really care to have a great floppy thing perched precariously on our foreheads as we garden. Plus, there’s the whole bad hair/ hat-head issue. I’m too vain for that!

As for sunblock lotions – well, they’re great for arms and legs, but awkward to apply on crinkly spots like ears. And if you’re a guy with thinning hair, there is no way you’re rubbing some greasy, perfumed lotion on your head. Am I right?

The solution’s an odd one: powdered brush-on sunblock by Peter Thomas Roth. The Instant Mineral line comes in SPF 30 or 45, and it blocks the full spectrum of UV and infrared rays. And the built-in applicator brush conforms to the lines of your face, making it easy to protect the backs of your ears, creases of your nose, and other tough-to-hit spots.

Because it’s not a lotion, it even works great on your scalp. I brush it over the part in my hair to prevent sunburn, and the men in my life use it to cover the thin patches on their heads so they can enjoy a sunshiney day without wearing a baseball cap. If you ignore the fact that you apply it with an applicator brush, it’s one of those unisex products that everybody loves. It’s unscented, and is invisible once applied.

To use, just retract the applicator brush inside the canister so it picks up some powder, push it out again, and you’re ready to roll. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, then slowly breathe out while brushing the powder over my face, ears and that easy-burning Irish scalp.

It lasts for a couple hours of vigorous work. To give it more staying power, just apply a bit of sunblock lotion first, so the powder has a base to stick to.

While it’s not meant to cover your arms and legs (it’s a little pricy for that!), if you’ve had issues with burning the backs of your ears, your scalp, or the delicate skin on your face, this is an amazing solution. It’s even portable, so you can pop it into your gardening bucket for quick touch-ups outside.

Best source: Amazon.com (or find similar powdered sunblocks here)

Review originally published in Fine Gardening Magazine.