The curiously curved handle on my weeding tool looks a little strange, but I wanted something to get the dandelions out and the knife I was using was uncomfortable to lever the long root out with, so I took a chance on this narrow bladed tool with the bright, lime green, hook shaped handle. I'm hooked.
Traditional Pain and Newfangled Efficiency
Gardening is such a traditional pursuit. Just the image it conjures gives you the warm and friendlies. Your dad in his wellington boots, or your grandfather with his cap on and pipe in hand, or grandma collecting flowers, are all very timeless, evocative of 'Seasons of mist and mellow fruitfulness.' Except that parents and grandparents who have worked with their hands tend to get painful and swollen joints. They hate to give up their favorite hobby, but those arthritic joints just get to hurting after a while. There's a recent development in gardening tools that won't cure arthritis, but will make it easier for sufferers to carry on gardening.
Radius Garden makes these very strange looking tools, The garden spade has an unusual wedge shaped blade and a large, round, bright green handle. They have a whole range of really easy to use, more efficient tools.
Martial Arts Inspiration
Bruce Baker, the founder of the company, drew inspiration from martial arts in the design of tools that maximize the angle of attack. The handles are easy to grip, made of a thermoplastic called Santoprene, and the tools are each angled for maximum efficiency in transfer of power from large muscle groups, making it easier on wrists and fingers. The range includes hand tools and long handled tools, pruners, rakes that are strangely circular and even a net for your garden pond.
Pain Prevention
The long handled weeder and grabbers will save a lot of getting down on hands and knees and then getting up again, a major strain for gardeners who are feeling their age, or at the very least feeling their aging joints. Those who do not suffer from painful joints could also benefit from tools that do not strain muscles and joints. I find I can work on those dandelions for twice as long and work more quickly using my ergonomic weeder, so I'm hoping that I can help to prevent the kind of repetitive strain that turns to pain later on in life.
Great Gift Potential
Traditional gardeners might look at these tools with a cynical eye but they work, and would make great gifts for Mother's Day or Father's Day. Gifts with long term value, and when Pops asks you to go and dig up a few potatoes, you'll appreciate them too!
Sally Anne Lewis - Sally has master's degrees in science and journalism, is fascinated to a degree in most things. Always something to learn.
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