I’ve been spending more time outside in the garden than inside writing about the garden. I rather like those odds. For my birthday I received a new gardening tool that requires a mention here. I’ve had the short handled version of this little gem for about 5 years. I knew there was a long handled version when I purchased the little one, but became so enthralled in my little Ho-Mi that I forgot about the long one. I’ve been stooping to weed for years and now my aging back is not happy about it. I did some searching (ok, more like leafing through the Lee Valley Tools catalog) and recalled that there is a long handled version of my Ho-Mi.

I love my short handled Ho-Mi. Now I love my long handled Ho-Mi too. I would almost say even more.

I received the long handled version for my birthday. My husband took me to Portland Nursery and let me select between the Ho-Mi and another long handled cultivator. I of course selected the (less expensive) Ho-Mi.

The handle is quite long for a normal cultivator. Measuring at 5′ long even my tall husband can use it. It is perfect for my 5′4″ frame. The blade is curved and pointed to really get into the ground. I wanted it to help with the digging out of stubborn grass in my flower beds. It used to take me hours to yank out the grass in small clumps with the short handled Ho-Mi. Now I get better leverage and do the work in half the time.

There are a few downfalls to this particular tool. Like the short handled version there is a learning curve. My husband prefers his pronged weeder to my short Ho-Mi because he can’t figure out how to use it. I am having a bit of trouble with the long Ho-Mi. You have to hold it so it is most comfortable and also at such an angle that the point actually digs into the soil. If it is tilted just so it is ineffective. Once you get the hang of it the tool is great. I just happen to be a little slow some days.

Overall, I love the tool. It makes short work of the weeds and grass in big areas. I use the short tool for smaller areas and around trees and shrubs. I highly recommend this tool to anyone.