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5 Fall Jobs for a Garden Hook: Weeding, Edging, Loosening Soil and Planting

by Grampa's Gardenware Co.

Fall is when a lot of gardeners hang up their tools. Don't put the garden hook away just yet. That one curved steel blade is a weeder, a cultivator, an edger and a planting tool all in one, and autumn is when it earns its keep. Here are five fall jobs we use it for here at Grampa's Gardenware, plus a few tips to get the most out of each one.

1. Weed the tight spots around plants and bed edges

Weeds that sneak in around perennials, along raised-bed boards and under shrubs are hard to reach with a big tool. A hand cultivator like the Garden Hook slips in close without disturbing the plants you want to keep.

  • Hook the blade behind the weed, just below the soil line.
  • Pull toward you slowly so the root comes up with the leaves.
  • Shake the soil off and toss the weed in your bucket, not back on the bed.

Getting weeds out before they drop seed means fewer seedlings to fight next spring. For bigger weeds out in the lawn, a stand up weed puller does the job without bending or kneeling. Our fall weeding guide explains why autumn is such a good time to pull.

2. Loosen crusted soil so rain can soak in

After a summer of sun and foot traffic, the top of a bed can bake into a hard crust. Fall rain tends to run off that crust instead of soaking in.

  • Drag the hook through the top couple of inches in short strokes.
  • Work when the soil is moist but not soggy. Working very wet soil can squeeze out the air and make compaction worse.
  • Go shallow around perennials and shrubs so you don't tear up their roots.

3. Work in compost before winter

Spreading compost on empty beds in fall gives it months to settle in before spring planting. Spread a thin layer, then use the Grampa's Garden Hook to scratch it lightly into the surface. No need to dig deep; worms and weather will do the rest over winter. You can then cover the bed with leaves or mulch.

Garden hook hand cultivator loosening soil between plants in a fall garden bed

4. Edge your beds for a clean winter look

Grass loves to creep into flower beds. A quick edge in fall keeps it in check and makes the garden look tidy all winter.

  • Run the tip of the hook along the bed line to cut a shallow trench.
  • Pull out any runners creeping in from the lawn.
  • Toss the clippings and roots in your gardening apron with pockets as you go, then empty it into the compost.

5. Open furrows for fall planting

Fall is planting time for garlic and spring-flowering bulbs in many areas. The point of the hook opens a neat furrow or planting hole in loose soil:

  1. Pull a straight furrow at the depth your seed packet or bulb label recommends.
  2. Set cloves or bulbs pointy side up.
  3. Pull the soil back over with the flat of the blade and press it down.

For deeper holes or tough ground, a hori hori garden knife is the better pick. See our step-by-step guide to planting bulbs in fall.

Before you put it away for winter

  • Knock off the dirt and wipe the steel dry so it doesn't rust.
  • Rub a little oil on the wood handle if it looks dry.
  • Hang it in the shed or garage where you'll find it in spring.

Want the full list of autumn chores? Our fall garden cleanup checklist walks through putting the whole garden to bed.

Where to get Grampa's tools

Shop every tool on our website at grampasweeder.com, or find them on Amazon:

Grampa's Gardenware is a family-run business from Oregon. We started in 1999 in our garage, and our stand-up weeder design goes back to 1913. Thanks for gardening with us. Visit grampasweeder.com for the whole family of tools.

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