Like you, I have my favorite garden helpers, for example, my Felco pruners (I go for #2), Haws watering can and Atlas gloves. But what are some of the less predictable “tools.” There’s one thing I love (and so do guests) that might be less expected. In my imagination, this is a product that can be found at the dock in Marseilles or the student bathrooms at Ecole de danse de Paris. It’s the forerunner of liquid soap in a pump. Frankly, it works better than liquid soap, for me, it is not anti-bacterial, is easier to rinse off and a fun conversation starter.
You’ve heard of soap on a rope. Well, this is soap on a post. You attach the bracket that holds a big bar of soap that has been drilled and had a sleeve inserted. I’ve been using an olive oil version that cleans hands better than any soap I’ve used. You can find refills of the olive oil version in the US. But in France, you can get refills with scents like lavender, lemon and a pure white donkey milk version. I’ve finally tracked down a place that will ship replacement bars from England in a variety of fragrances for only £5 . But then there’s £20 for shipping. Oh, well.
A bar lasts at least a year, but doesn’t stay quite so pretty, so when it’s getting a little road-weary, it goes to a better place (the upstairs shower). Then, I get a replacement. Amazon sells an initial set up (left) and a two-bar refill. I’ve mounted the soap above the sink in the first floor bathroom (below in the demo) and plan to get one for the sun room potting area.
The metal bracket is manufactured in shiny brass, chrome and matte chrome (below). But the shiny chrome is the easiest to find in the USA. If you are a friend are heading to Paris, this year — perhaps you will be able to acquire something very special for the potting shed (or even by the outdoor spigot).
What’s your favorite unusual, and perhaps, unconventional tool? Might it be waxed string, a Hori-hori Japanese weed knife or a hand-held rice harvesting scythe? Tell us in the comments section.
It’s got to be my Sloggers – water-proof, mud-proof gardening clog with bright designs. I garden in a warm climate so mine are all low-rise (below my ankle) . I planned to buy the boot version this winder but we have only had 3 days of winter so maybe next year. My favorite thing about these shoes is that they have as good support as my walking shoes so I can work for hours before my feet and back give out.
I LOVE my hori-hori knife! It cost a pretty penny but it was the best investment ever. I also invested in these quick-release couplings that let me easily switch from sprinkler to spray head attachments on my hose. It makes me actually willing to water. ^_^
I love my quick connects. I don’t know what I would do wihtout them. I got metal ones form Lee Valley in Canada (and US, too). The weed knife is also great.
I have Muckboot slip-on shoes that are great and I have a pair of the boots — waterproof but not hot up to 95 degrees F.
I’ll check out Sloggers!
I can’t keep a garden without my light weight hedge trimmer. I originally bought the Japanese version over 30 years ago for $93 or so. I just had to try them because they were sizeable but very light weight. I wore out two and replaced them with the Stehl version for over $100. They dead head perennials and here in Hawaii cut back the jungle.