Spade Work : From Plot to Plate

Are Gardeners Getting Taller?

The hoe on the left in both photographs is a modern aluminum and plastic handled one, allowing me at least, to stand fairly upright while I go about the business of weeding.

The older ash handled one on the right is much shorter so you stoop over while you work and go straight to the physio afterwards.

Have gardeners got taller as the years have gone by?

Front Garden Finds

As well as finding a hoe in my front garden I've also found a set of nifty loppers in the past.  Both appreciated and put to good use.

This morning it was something more usual - a bottle of Asti Spumante.

Empty of course!

Tools of the Trade

Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten so they say. It's often true but not always and some of my favourite tools have come free.

They all do what they should do well but each has that added factor that makes them a pleasure to use, be it a nice heft, a perfect balance in the hand or a history attached to it.

The trug was a present and hangs seemlessly from the crook of the elbow as I bring produce in. It's finally developing a nice patina of nicks and dirt. The Felco No2 secateurs, Swiss strength and precision, make you feel you're the real business. Strap on the leather holster and stride around the beds with an air of authority. You'll never lose them in the border with their bright red handles.

The boots have been on the go for five growing seasons, remain waterproof and comfortable and really let you drive a fork into the earth, something which wellies lack the rigidity for. Most of the time I now eye up distances for planting crops but it's usful to have a measuring  board on which I've marked off 4 and 6 inches all the way up to 3 feet.

French made Opinal No 8 knife is inexpensive and has a nifty locking device so the blade won't return over your hand. Taking an edge as quick as it loses it, it's great for cutting string, bailer twine, manure bags, cardboard, or slicing an apple to try for sweetness.

The draw hoe , great for earthing up potatoes, was a find - in the front garden. How it got there and who put it there I don't know. It's a little short but the handle is nicely worn over time and there's a good feeling using something an old boy gardener used years ago.