By Stephanie Lezotte
As an amateurish gardener , exponent tools sometimes intimidate me . When potential , I choose using a manual overture to first become intimate with the technique , and then move onto power tools when comfy . My modest vegetable garden was ready to be tilled , but I was n’t yet ready to use my partner ’s Troy - Bilt Add - On Cultivator . That affair simply looked scary . Instead , I bring in home something that appear effective , accomplishable , and — frankly — play : the Garden Weasel Garden Claw Gold Cultivator . The Garden Weasel was a bargain for only $ 30 and a limited lifetime warranty .
The soundbox of the puppet is made from sword , but it only weighs 5 Lebanese pound . Gold - colored handle grips and teeth offset the bright depressed color of the main perch . The handle suitcase resemble the distinctive squiffy material bicycle handlebar clutches are made of , so wearing cushioned gloves was a must for me . The handlebar is bent in a feebleminded “ S ” shape . I find the shape promotes a born gripping posture , which in turn makes it easy to twist around the tool to the left .
Since I am aright - handed , I can capitalise on the forte of my right hand and arm when twisting ; my mate is depart - handed , however , and was able-bodied to use the tool just fine as well . Weeds amount up easily and completely after every twist . I can simply pluck up the skunk and its roots in one objet d’art — no need to delve or pull . That ’s not to say I do n’t have to exert effort . In fact , I found twisting the Garden Weasel pleasantly hard work that did not ensue in sore muscles but did get my ticker pumping . This cultivator doubles as an upper body strengthen tool , all for one broken terms . After a season of enjoyment , I noticed the handlebar loosening up a little ; it developed a flimsy hesitation before twirl . It was not to a fault bothersome but was fixed by tightening the bolt of lightning near the handlebar .
While the angle teeth do lead out from the main rod cell , they are still close enough together to be able to make a precise twirl closely to and even under existing plants . Not once did I accidently till and kill . I use the Garden Weasel primarily to loosen soil prior to planting and to get rid of weed . Upon first till , my vegetable garden ’s soil was compacted but fairly soft , so all it get to get the tine into the priming was pressure from my foot . After lately bending the steel of a shovel , I was afraid the tines of the Garden Weasel might bend easily , but they show no signal of this . More than once , I struck swallow up bricks that were used to border the garden bed and yet the Garden Weasel ’s teeth were undamaged .
The Garden Weasel can practically do it all . The tool is adjustable from 38 inches to 42 inches , leave back pain - complimentary process for gardeners of all height ( including gardener who have back issues , like myself ) . This makes it a great tool for weed underneath steps or a deck of cards . I have used this to get rid of a few rogue flowers that decided to maturate under fences , within a shrub , and under my composter . I have also used it to till unwanted grassy patches and then used the grass clunk to fill the kettle of fish of a transplanted bush . By carefully placing the tines only an column inch into the ground , I have even rejuvenated my more well - maintain decorative flush beds in the front yard by fluffing the mulch with minimum cause . This refresh the black color by unwrap the mulch that was n’t yet give away to unmediated sunlight , hand my bed that just - mulched appearance .
I never did move on to that Troy - Bilt Add - On Cultivator . I ’m sure it would save up me a muckle of fourth dimension and labor , but manually till my garden with the Garden Weasel furnish me with a sense of atonement and possession . If the area to be tilled is large , the Garden Weasel Claw might be too time consuming and laborious — a business leader pecker is your full bet . The claw is idealistic for small- to medium - sized garden beds or small jobs . The claw has earned its right to be a staple tool in my lawn care and gardening arsenal .
A published writer and novice gardener , Stephanie Lezotte dabbles in over 1500 square feet of newly purchased gardens that generate hundreds of tulips , daffodils , hostas , and daylilies . She enjoys trying new gardening tools and techniques and is n’t afraid to get ( a fiddling ) dirty .
