Have Fork, Will Weed
June 4th, 2009 · 6 Comments · Posted in Blog, garden
A dinner fork for small weeds
Am I crazy?
I’ll let you be the judge. The reason I ask is because I am the only person I know who weeds with a dinner fork. Not all the time, mind you. But I find that around young plants, sometimes when it’s hard to distinguish between the vegetables and the weeds, the only therapy that works is a little action with the dinner fork.
With a fork, I can get into tight places. It’s like microsurgery. But for the longest time I kept this technique to myself. I especially didn’t want my wife to know that I was digging around in the garden with our best cutlery.
The other day she caught me red handed. I was prepared to be read the riot act. But that’s not the response I heard.
I closed my eyes. I winced. “That’s brilliant!” she exclaimed.
So now my secret’s out. I don’t have to be ashamed about the way I weed any more.
But here’s another tip: give your fork a good scrubbing before you sit down to dinner with it.
Great post and one in which I can relate. I have a designated place setting of garden flatware consisting of a spoon, fork and knife. I’ve found that all three pieces work their magic in different ways. I’m thinking of adding a 5 piece serving set for bigger jobs (butternut squash, rhubarb, melons). And a steak-knife for delicate pruning. Thrift store quality, of course. Makes for green gardening at its best.
Melissa
I agree, brilliant! I have a “proper” which also looks like the same tool used for harvesting asparagus, but I like to get the weeds when they’re small…. the fork looks like a much better tool.
Haha thank you for sharing this Ed! You’re not the only one.
A dinner fork is my tool of choice for thinning/transplanting small seedlings, particularly lettuce. Works wonders.
In other news, I was riding my bike through Columbia Heights when some tall black trellises caught my eye. I immediately recognized the corner as your house and garden. Looking good!
Melissa, I started reading your comment and thought you were spoofing me. But then I realized you were serious. Your garden cutlery ensemble sounds good enough for a spread in Martha Stewart Living. Bravo!
Julia, I haven’t heard the term “proper” in ages. I’ll have to go look it up to see exactly what it is. Is it as proper as it sounds?
Brett, are you a closet fork weeder?
PP, I can’t believe I am not alone in this dinner fork abuse. And yes, that would have been us with the tall black trellises. They must have just gone up when you rode by. Feel free to stop for a visit next time you’re in the neighborhood.
I’m in a condo and have a small porch where I keep a tiny tiny container garden. I found a fork will do the trick and saves me from buying anything I won’t get much use out of!