Traditional gardens are an art form in Japan. With roots in philosophy and spirituality, they are meticulously cultivated and nurtured into spaces for contemplation and meditation. Not surprisingly, time-honored Japanese tools and accessories are often crafted on a higher level, lauded by horticulturalists for their design, quality and versatility.
Overseas, the hori-hori (also known as a leisure knife or soil knife), a slim trowel with a serrated edge for digging and cutting through roots, has an almost cult following, while other popular classic tools include the nekaki (a three or more pronged mini-rake to break up soil) and the uekibasami, wide-handled, ultrasharp pruning scissors.
Tools aside, here are a few other ideas to help you make the most of plants in and around the home.