A scissor is a scissor. A common phrase but not quite so in gardening. As I have become more involved with gardening I have found the tools can make a huge difference not only in the comfort of the gardener but also in the health of a plant. When I started gardening about 10 years ago I remember pruning every plant with the same scissors— the general variety that you finding every household the kids use for schoolwork and that you use cut packages open. I was a hot mess in the garden. Lol.
But as one becomes wiser, you learn that certain tools are better suited for certain plants in jobs in the garden. And in now category of garden tools is that more obvious than with pruning and harvesting tools. First let me begin by saying that manufactures of gardening tools knows there’s suckers like me out there who love the look, as well as the functionality of garden tools. However I have learned that with a few key pruning and harvesting tools you can basically manage a whole garden. So today, I want to share my favorite tools for pruning and harvesting.
PRUNERS
Tobishi SR-1 Secateurs by Niwaki
In the world of dreamy gardening tools, this is my dream tool. Not only is it beautifully made, but I love them, especially for roses, because it makes a sharp clean cut, which reduces the risk of diseases in the cut site. These Japanese secateurs are a bit spendy BUT so well worth it. They are 8” long and made of carbon steel. They come with red and yellow vinyl handles for easy showing in the garden, but you can peel it off too. I personally love the comfort of the vinyl on my skin. These secateurs are light and balanced, but it’s also strong. A great combination if you are going to be in the garden all day.
Fiskars 9275 Forged Steel Bypass Pruner
These pruners are my second option to the Tobishi SR-1 and a lot more affordable too. Fiskars is always reliable and this pruner gets the job done. I prefer this one for thicker softer stems like dahlias, and medium size dead bush branches. It’s ergonomically comfortable and easy to clean. Made out of forged steel, this baby stays sharp no matter what.
Barebones Walnut Garden Scissors
if you’re looking for an all purpose scissors for the garden look no further. these are not only beautiful but they are multi-purpose tool for outdoor and indoor gardening. One of the things that I love them for, and please do not laugh, it’s for trimming long grass along my garden beds. Sometimes when we mow the lawn, we just cannot get into those tight spaces and this scissor, with its long blades, does a great job at trimming those. I also appreciate the long handles. I have long hands (to go along with my 6’1” height), so I really appreciate this feature.
Fiskars Micro-Tip Pruner
Of all the pruners I have, this one is the one I use the most all year around, and that is because it’s perfect for indoor house plants too. It is perfect for cutting tender plants especially when you have to make cuts in very tight spaces, so I used it a lot for snipping herbs, and trimming delicate plants like calatheas. It is also perfect for trimming new growth in roses that impede the free flow of air through the rose canes, because those spaces can be tight and thorny too.
HARVESTING TOOLS
Hori Hori Knife (Garden Knife
If I had to pick one garden tool that I “cannot live without’ out of all the ones I have, this knife would be it. This is my garden workhorse because it is so multifunctional. I use it for weeding, digging, cutting roots (it is excellent at that), digging holes, planting bulbs (hence the markings on the knife) and more, it works beautifully. But one of my favorite uses is for harvesting, especially root veggies that need a little help coming out of the ground like beets and carrots. And you can use it for cutting stronger-stemmed flowers like coneflowers and marigolds. It is the most useful tool I have.
Garrett Wade French Harvesting Knife
This little knife has become indispensable when its harvesting time, especially of leafy greens, herbs, asparagus and mushrooms. Last year when I attended a mushroom foraging trip hosted by our local state park, this knife came in very handy and everyone just loved it. Its sharpness and curve shape makes it perfect to go through those leafy greens without damaging them when you pull. Thankfully, this knife comes with a protective sheath because it is very sharp, and knowing how clumsy I am, I am appreciative of this protective measure.
What are some of your favorite pruners or harvesting tools?
You may find me joining some of these fun link-ups: In a Vase on Monday, Mosaic Monday, Pink Saturday, Nature Notes, Dishing It & Digging It, Grace at Home, Encouraging Hearts & Home, Wonderful Wednesday Blog-Hop, Farmhouse Friday, Wonderful Wednesday
