Ames Planter’s Pal

I use the Ames Planter’s Pal multi-purpose hand tool nearly every time I go into the garden. According to its description, this chrome-plated steel tool has seven functions: a trowel for planting, a serrated cutting edge, a knife edge for slicing, a twine cutter, a tip for dislodging tap-rooted and also common weeds, a tamper at the end of the handle and an 11-inch measurement scale. I wish it had a brighter colored handle because I’ve misplaced two already!

Root Slayer

The Root Slayer shovel is the only shovel I need in the garden. It’s a multi-purpose tool, that acts as a shovel, root hatchet and a root saw. The shovel itself can scoop soil. The shovel has two serrated-edged blades that easily slice through soil and saw through in-ground roots. The inverted V-shaped tip can hold down and slice through any perennial clumps you might wish to divide. The carbon-steel blade and shaft are strong, and the O-shaped handle-end provides for plenty of hand positions – an important feature if you have tweaky wrists like me.

Garden Weasel Claw

The Garden Weasel Claw is a tool meant for turning garden soil using a simple spiral action. It not only loosens the soil and aerates it, too. Once the soil is loose, it makes pulling weeds all that much easier. I use this tool mostly for turning something else – my compost pile! Just insert the claw portion into the top of the compost barrel and twist. It’s a great tool for the job and much easier than using a long-handled hoe or shovel. I wish the long handle and claw were of heavier-duty metal, but so far, it’s been sturdy enough for my needs.