I’ve worked with other professional gardeners for over twenty-five years, and a tool that continues to be a popular part of our weeding arsenal is the Nejiri Gama hand hoe. Made in Japan, this lightweight tool with a hardwood handle will have a long life in your tool collection. It’s wonderful for scraping up shallow weeds. The 5½-inch hardened steel blade skims just under the soil’s surface. The deepest-rooted weeds require a different tool, but this well-balanced hand hoe is particularly effective with early weed growth. The blade, which should be kept sharp, cuts best with a pulling motion. This hoe is compact, at only 10½ inches in length.

—Mark Dwyer

Source: gardentoolcompany.com

Price: $19.20

Mark Dwyer, former director of horticulture at Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin, now operates Landscape Prescriptions by MD.

Check out these other expert-picked garden tools:

• Tweezers for Delicate Work in the Garden
• Harvest Cut Flowers With These Floral Shears

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Harper Super Steel 700-lb. Platform Hand Truck

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Manufactured in USA; Two position telescoping handle adjusts up to 62" in height for tall loads. 700 lb horizontal capacity, 600 lb vertical capacity. Converts in seconds from 2 wheel dolly into 4 wheel cart. Heavy-duty pneumatic all-terrain 10" wheels and 5" durable swivel casters for easy maneuverability of bulky loads. 14" x 7" Heavy gauge base plate and wheel fenders to protect the load from the wheels.

Buy at Amazon

Niteangel Natural Wooden Insect Hotel, Garden Insect House for Ladybugs, lacewings, Butterfly, Bee, Bug

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

The insect nest box provide a safe environment where garden creatures can shelter, hibernate and lay their eggs, the insect house can also keep insects from entering your warm room. The insect hotel makes it easy to find and observe fascinating creatures. the butterfly, bees and ladybugs can use this product as habitat. Dry wood and Bamboo can be home to many insects such as ladybirds and lacewings which eat aphids and help keep your plants pest-free. the insect hotel improve the growth of plants in your yard by attracting beneficial insects. The iron design on the top can keep the insect house from rainwater. Let the insect house have a longer useful life and make the insects more comfortable. If you only have a balcony or yard, the hanging garden shelter is ideal as it provides a choice of suitable habitats in a small area.

Buy at Amazon

Tubtrugs SP42GBK Flexible Black Gorilla Large 38 Liter/10 Gallon Capacity

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

2 comfort grip handles. Flexible sides for shaping against a wall or floor. Reinforced ribbing for extra strength. 100% recycled construction. Nontoxic, toy safe.

Buy at Amazon