I am a strong believer that gardening does not, and should not, require a lot of "stuff". Container gardeners especially can get along with their hands, or a fork, spoon, and kitchen shears if need be. However, the right tool can make you feel like you're ready to kick some ass even when the only ass you're about to kick is a small pot of basil on your window-ledge.

But for gardeners who are up against a patch of hard clay or rocky soil I highly recommend my very favourite tool, The Cobrahead Precision Weeder and Cultivator. This handheld tool is pretty much all you need to tackle just about any conditions short of those requiring a backhoe and forklift. It's got a mega sharp steel blade that rips through hard clay like butter. I use mine to weed, cultivate, dig holes, plant, hack at stuff, and scare away annoying neighbours.

Inventor Noel Valdes has just come out with a new improved Cobrahead that boasts of stronger, more rust and bend-resistant steel, and a handle made of 100% recycled materials. I took mine for a test drive the other day and can't say I noticed a difference beyond the new blue handle that doesn't get lost in the grass like my old yellow-handled tool. I'm sure the new improvements are great but I really had no complaints with the old model and expected I'd be using it for years to come.

Looks like a mini-scythe. Looks like fun.

Its bite is deadly! It's the best all-in-one tool for the garden... pull on your gloves and let loose on your patch of dirt with this puppy and there's no telling what will ensue: a little loosening of the soil or total mayhem. (via gaylatrail)