How to Use a Garden Hori-Hori or Japanese Weeding Knife

The Japanese digging knife, or hori-hori, is one of the best gardening hand tools you can have in your collection. Small, versatile and inexpensive, the hori-hori, which means "dig-dig," consists of a heavy, pointed blade with one serrated and one sharp edge and a strong handle. Usually sold with a sheath for safety, the Japanese weeding knife has numerous uses in the garden.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Stick the blade into the soil to the hilt behind a dandelion and push back on the handle to pop out a dandelion root. Saw at the roots of larger roots with the serrated edge to remove larger weeds.

2. Insert the narrow blade into the soil and wiggle back and forth to make a small planting hole for small seedlings. You can then slip the blade into the narrow receptacle of a six- or eight-pack planting tray and use the slight scoop at its end to easily remove the plant and transfer it to the hole.

3. Cut through the root masses of established plants with the serrated edge to divide plants.

4. Slice into the roots of pot-bound plants with the hori-hori before transplanting for better root establishment.

5. Clean and scrape out bird feeders, pots, seedling trays and drainage holes with the blade. The blade can also be used to cut open bags of potting soil and other materials.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the blade clean with soapy water and a good rinse. Dry well before storing or the tool can rust. Work in a drop of mineral oil to keep the tool extra clean.

• You can paint the handle of the tool a bright color so you don't loose it in the garden.

• Comes with a carrying case that fits on a belt and also fits in your pocket.

References

• Washington State University Extension: Great Garden Gifts