BY HOME & GARDEN
EVERY gardener knows there’s no such thing as popping outside for “just five minutes”.
One quick wander past the veggie patch inevitably reveals a weed that needs pulling, a flower begging to be deadheaded, a pot that needs attention and, if you’re growing strawberries, suspicious evidence that the local wildlife has beaten you to breakfast.
The good news is you don’t always need to drag out half the garden shed to get those little jobs done. Some of the handiest gardening helpers are small enough to slip into a pocket, apron or tool belt and they can punch well above their weight.
One of the most versatile is the hori hori knife, a traditional Japanese gardening tool that has become something of a secret weapon for gardeners.
Part knife, part trowel and part weeding tool, its pointed blade can be used for digging planting holes, tackling weeds, cutting garden twine and taking care of smaller pruning jobs. Many versions feature a serrated edge, making them particularly handy when stubborn roots stand between you and a weed-free garden bed.
Another little tool worth keeping within reach is a pair of micro garden snips.
While full-sized secateurs certainly have their place, small snips are ideal for the fiddly jobs that don’t require the heavy artillery. They make quick work of deadheading flowers, removing damaged stems, taking herb cuttings and harvesting smaller flowers.
They’re also handy in the veggie patch, particularly when picking tomatoes and other produce where tugging at the fruit risks damaging the plant.
For gardeners who spend plenty of time pottering around with pots, a soil scoop can also save a surprising amount of frustration and mess.
Unlike a conventional hand trowel, a soil scoop has a deeper, more rounded shape designed to hold potting mix rather than send half of it cascading onto the patio.
Then there are those garden visitors who have absolutely no respect for the fact you’ve been patiently waiting weeks for your strawberries to ripen.
Fruit protection bags offer a simple way to put your name back on the harvest.
