Favorite Tools for a Farm Rooted in History

A 5-acre piece of the 158-acre Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park, Michigan’s Farm Garden focuses on gardening and horticulture as it would have appeared during the Great Depression. Located in Grand Rapids, MI, visitors understand farms when they were self-sufficient through heirloom vegetable patches, cottage garden flower beds, and a heritage orchard reminiscent of the era.

Farm animals are represented by bronze sculptures throughout Michigan’s Farm Garden. A 1930’s family farm, Michigan’s Farm Garden is an homage to the childhoods of Fred and Lena Meijer. The replica farmhouse, century-old barn, heirloom gardens, and animal pens are reminders of a bygone era when the land supplied the family with groceries and income; a time when every family member helped with chores.

Here are some vital pieces of farm equipment that keep this special piece of land rooted in history growing.

Hori Hori

A hori hori is a Japanese hand tool that is part trowel, part knife. The hori hori excavates, plants, weeds, trims, and points. Also known as soil knives; they are best with a wood handle, full tang, and made of carbon steel.

Broadfork

We don’t till soil at Michigan’s Farm Garden because we know that tilling disrupts soil health and supports weed growth. Instead, we use the broadfork; eco-friendly, a great work out, and essential for aerating our beds and incorporating compost at the beginning of the season to prepare for planting. Our favorite broadfork is a workhorse with a lifetime warranty from Red Pig Garden Tools.

Stirrup Hoe

The stirrup hoe is ideal for quick weeding sessions when we do not have time to get down on our hands and knees with a hori hori for more effective weed control.

Wagons

From a tow-behind to a Red Flyer, the wagon is our go-to, low-impact hauler of big items or hefty material load. Pulled behind an electric golf cart, it makes no noise does not need a wide turn, and you can chain them together. The Red Flyer is perfect when we bring hand tools from our toolshed to a work location or trays of transplants into the veggie patches.

Buckets

We love a multi-functional tool that requires limited maintenance or technical skills. The humble bucket may be the most versatile and necessary tool of all. Harvesting produce, collecting weeds, transporting tools, moving soil or water or fertilizer, sitting on, and more — never underestimate a bucket.

Wheelbarrow

It’s important to look for tools that can do a lot of heavy lifting without imposing the guest experience due to noise or size. During open hours, it’s challenging and irresponsible to run a tractor on the farm. The leverage on a wheelbarrow can move a couple hundred pounds quicker than a Dingo and can offroad with minimal impact on the land.

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Click here to see more installments of American Vegetable Grower’s “Kick the Tires” series.