Small Hand Tools

click on the names to see the picture

Hand trowels are used for setting out small plants and for digging out weeds. Avoid those that have a thin neck - it may bend during use.

Hand forks, short- or long-handled, are used for weeding and cultivating the soil around plants. They may have three or five tines, which can be curved or flat - the latter are generally recommended.

Hand cultivators, with three of five hooked tines, are used for loosening compacted soil. Three-tined models are best for heavy soil.

Onion hoes are used for general surface cultivation between rows of seedlings or other small plants.

Pruning shears resemble pliers. They are hand-held, spring-loaded shears used for cutting small stems up to ½ in (1.2 cm) in diameter. Some have one blade that cuts against an anvil head; others have blades that cut with a scissor action. They range in size from small flower gatherers to large, heavy-duty types, but one general-purpose pair should be adequate.

Hedge shears are used for trimming hedges. The blades edges may be straight or serrated - the former are easiest to sharpen, but the latter are better for cutting woody stems.

Grass shears are used for the lighter work of trimming long grass. Since they are spring-loaded, they may be operated with one hand, and are quite efficient, though their use involves stooping.

Pruning saws, which come in various shapes and sizes (including folding models), are excellent for pruning or cutting back woody branches that are too large for pruning shears but not large enough to warrant the use of a bow saw. Some have fine teeth on one rougher work on the other.

Bulb planters are handy for planting bulbs, especially in grass or among other plants. They consist of a metal cylinder with a serrated cutting edge that is pushed into the soil by means of a handle.

Planting lines, consisting of a reel of string fastened at each end to a stake, are used for marking out seed drills and straight edges.

Dibbles are convenient for making planting holes. They may be pencil-sized sticks used for inserting small plants or cuttings, or larger versions up to 1 in (2.5 cm) in diameter for planting vegetables.

Dandelion weeders have a blade mounted at the end of a long, stout neck, so that it can cut, then pry out the whole root of perennial weeds, such as dandelions.

Cape Cod weeders cut like a hoe, but because of their size, are much better adapted to close, delicate work.