Gardening season is in full gear, with the weather consistently giving us summer when it should still be spring. Probably due to global warming, at least this means you can start your warmer weather garden activities earlier in the year.
New York City can be a frustrating place to get gardening but where there is a will there’s a way.
Cliches aside, my gardening hobby is on track to take over my life this year. Greenery provides such sustenance beyond just your harvest. The pleasure of planting is addictive once you get a hang of things. Quite like going to the gym, another effort I’m initiating as well.
I’m the type to devour gardening videos on YouTube for fun. But why keep good things to yourself? Spreading the gardening glow can only bring better things into this world. Everyone should feel like they have the option to interact with more greenery in their life.
No matter what size garden you have, balcony to homesteading, your toolkit is the key to having a good garden experience. After much binge watching I found the one tool you should absolutely have is the Hori Hori knife.
What is a Hori Hori Knife?
A Hori Hori knife is a multi-purpose garden tool with a focus on digging and cutting tasks. It also goes under the name of a weeding knife. The Hori Hori originated in Japan, where it was used to dig through soil ( “hori” actually means “dig” ) and harvest vegetables. The typical Hori Hori knife consists of a steel blade and a wooden handle, though some modern knives will have plastic handles. Most knives are 11-13 inches long including the handle.
Keep it on your garden tool belt and whip it out for all your gardening tasks. Dig, loosen soil, cut weeds, plant seeds, mix fertilizer – it does a lot of things as a small, light, functional item. It’s curved edges also allow for easier transplanting of plants and sharp blade for tougher roots.
As you walk around your garden, it makes your routine quicker by giving you the ability to handle tasks without juggling multiple tools.
The Nisaku Hori Hori Namibagata Knife
I chose to get the Nisaku Hori Hori Namibagata knife. Late one night, unable to sleep, I found it while scrolling Amazon and realized it was time to get my very own Hori Hori knife. Probably the best impulse buy at 2am I could ever ask for.
The Nisaku Hori Hori knife features a 7.25 inch concave blade and measurements for precise planting depths. It also has a straight side to the blade on one side with the other being serrated for different types of gardening work. The handle is wood, my preference to plastic handles, and comes with a lightweight sheath which is better for my tiny wrists. This knife’s sloped center also can be used to funnel seeds into the ground.
The Hori Hori knife is relatively inexpensive and serves multiple purposes in gardening. I consider it a very small price to pay for a very large investment.
Hori Hori No-Nos
While this is an amazing tool, all tools need care. Being a real blade, you have to care for it by wiping it down after use to avoid rust and to keep this tool in good condition. It can last decades with proper handling, care and storing.
Be careful while using it as well! You can cut yourself with this tool. Pay attention when digging heavy soil that requires more effort and watch where the rest of your limbs and fingers are when using this. It’s sharp. Also stay aware when wiping the blade down or wear cutting gloves to protect those digits.
Additionally, because this is a real blade, it should go without saying to keep this out of reach from children.
TLDR: It’s Time to Get Your Own Hori Hori Knife
From garden guru to newbie planters, a Hori Hori knife is an amazing investment and a sustainable one. With a metal blade, a wooden handle, encouraging easier gardening tasks and capable of lasting decades, it’s earth friendly at its finest. Whether you have a tiny herb garden, flowers to liven up a space, or tomatoes in your yard – all efforts are nothing but win-wins for both the gardener and the planet.
Also, as an urban gardener being located in NYC, we have to think creatively to make the most out of our resources. An essential, functional, compact toolkit is almost imperative. Less is more here and whatever makes things lightweight, efficient and fun encourages that much more gardening activity.
For a shortened version of Hori Hori Pros and Cons
Pros
- Multiple tools in one form
- Light form makes it easier to carry
- Inexpensive ( for the most part )
- Lasts a long time
- Eco-friendly with natural materials and durability
- It’s cool looking
- It doubles as a self-defense item
Cons
- Not good for clumsy people
- Not child-safe
The pros definitely outweigh the cons here, so it may be time to get your very own Hori Hori at 2am on Amazon just like I did.
So here’s to doing more green activities in this world.
