Skip to main content

HappySprout may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Why a hori hori will be your best summer gardening buy

When it comes to summer garden tools, the average person is used to packing a bag with their trowel, pruning shears, hoe, and cultivator (claw rake). But what if we told you there’s only one tool you’ll ever need? With a hori hori, summer gardening just got a lot easier (and a lot lighter!). You’ll find yourself doing everything with one tool that you used to do with four — and more!

A person planting seedlings
Alexander Raths/Shutterstock

What is a hori hori knife?

A hori hori is a popular Japanese gardening tool that can do the work of many. It’s roughly a foot long, has a slightly curved blade (one side of which is serrated) and comes to a point at the end. Many hori hori knives sport measurement marks on the blade, which is perfect for helping determine how deep you’re digging down when planting seeds, bulbs, and rhizomes! The name hori hori even lends itself to digging as it’s an onomatopoeia for the sound made when digging in soil.

Recommended Videos

There are different styles of hori hori that you can purchase, ranging from traditional to more modern. The main difference is typically the handle. More traditional hori hori knives will have bamboo or wooden handles while more modern ones have rubber or plastic handles. The blade itself always remains the same (one serrated side, one straight side), so the choice for you depends on what handle material you prefer.

History of the hori hori

The history of the hori hori knife is pretty fascinating. During the samurai warrior era in Japan, the weapons primarily used in close combat were katana. They were hand-forged, crafted from carbon steel, and heated multiple times to help increase the durability and strength of the sword. The Meiji government issued an edict in 1876 that outlawed katana making, leaving professional swordsmiths struggling to maintain business.

To fill that gap, many smiths began forging tools for kitchen use, woodworking, and — you guessed it — gardening. The legacy of forging swords was clear in the quality and durability of these tools. Hori hori knives were initially developed to help extract plants from the earth, but their use has expanded over the years.

A woman planting a small plant
Alexey Stiop/Shutterstock

What can the hori hori do?

Because the hori hori was originally designed to retrieve plants from the earth, it’s safe to assume that it can be used in place of a trowel. But what else can it do? With the serrated edge, you can replace those pruners you’ve been carting around. It can easily cut through roots and stems, perfect for cutting back shrubs and bushes (and digging up that pesky little tree growing in the middle of your tomatoes). The straight edge is much more useful for harvesting, as it can easily cut through greens.

Because the hori hori is roughly a foot in length, it’s also great for harvesting in-ground vegetables like potatoes and getting under weeds that keep sprouting. It can even aid in harvesting hay and other animal feeds for the gardener that raises livestock. But it doesn’t stop there.

The hori hori can do almost anything you can think of! It can slice through pumpkin and gourd vines, further protecting your hands from the little prickles, and help harvest clusters of tomatoes on the vine without having to hand pick every single one. Need to remove that dying rose bush? No problem! Instead of switching from tool to tool, simply use the serrated side of the hori hori to cut back the dead branches, then dig into the dirt (once safe to do so) and cut through those roots. The hori hori truly makes gardening easier.

This is the only tool you’ll ever need

The hori hori will have no trouble doing the work of your summer garden tools collection. You’ll want to keep bigger shovels and rakes and hoes on hand, of course, but once you have a hori hori, you’ll realize it’s the only hand tool you’ll ever need. It can plant, harvest, weed, cut, remove roots, dig up stumps, you name it. Not only is it versatile for gardening, but it’s a great tool to bring on a camping trip when you need to cut up tinder and dig holes to… well, you know.

The hori hori takes summer gardening to the next level. Get yours today.

Kiera Baron
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kiera Baron is a freelance writer and editor, as well as a budding digital artist, based in Upstate NY. She is currently one…
Add whimsy and magic to your yard with these lovely fairy garden ideas
Tips and tricks to help you plan a fairy garden
A small pot with a tiny house plant and succulents

If you’re a fan of fantasy, whimsy, and fun, then you’ll love fairy gardens. These little gardens are perfect spring projects that can add a little extra color and life to your home and garden. Making fairy gardens is a fun activity for the whole family, and you can easily tailor them to fit your personal tastes and aesthetics. There are garden kits you can use to build one, but it’s also easy to make your own.

Whether you want something simple and elegant or a little bit goofy, fairy gardens are a great way to express yourself creatively in the garden. Here's what you need to know to get started, plus a few tips to help inspire you!
What is a fairy garden?

Read more
What plants like coffee grounds? When to use them in your garden
How to tell if your plants would benefit from coffee grounds
Dark coffee grounds in a silver measuring scoop

If you’re a fan of organic gardening, you might already be keeping a kitchen compost bin. Did you know that some things don’t need to be composted first -- they can be applied right to your garden soil. Coffee grounds are one such item, but not every plant enjoys them. What plants like coffee grounds, and what are the benefits of using them in your garden? Find out in this guide to using coffee grounds in the garden.
What are the benefits of coffee grounds in the garden?

Coffee grounds have a few potential benefits, although some of them can also be drawbacks in the wrong circumstances. Coffee grounds add nitrogen to the soil, along with a few other nutrients. Nitrogen is the primary nutrient released by coffee grounds as they break down. This is the same benefit provided by other forms of composted plant matter, but since coffee grounds break down faster due to already being ground and partially broken down, it can serve as a quicker boost. Coffee grounds also add some acidity to the soil, which can be good or bad depending on the plants you’re growing.

Read more
Focus on color: The best pink plants to add to your garden
Brighten up any garden with these pink plants and flowers
Weigela shrub with pink flowers

When you think about a garden, is pink the first color that comes to mind? Pink is a beautiful flower color for roses, tulips, or any number of annual flowers, and it makes a wonderful accent on emerging foliage. Sometimes pink mature foliage, like the big leaves on some caladiums, add a nice splash of color not unlike the effect of blooming azaleas.

From low-growing pink perennials to towering pink trees, we've got a little something for everyone on this list. If you're looking for pink plants for landscaping or just brightening up a corner of your home, why not try out one of these fantastic pink plants?
Pink trees

Read more