Hand Farming Tools

For smaller farms, it is common to do everything by hand. Using hand tools can allow the farmer to really connect with the land and with the plants. Below is a list of hand tools that would normally be found on a farm.

A hoe is identified by its long, circular handle with a thin, slightly ridged square of metal at the end. It is used to break apart the soil around a weed so it can be removed easily.

A hand trowel is a miniature version of a hoe, but with a much smaller handle and a triangular piece of metal attached. Because delicate plants will require some gentle attention, a trowel can be used to extract weeds instead of whacking away at the area with a hoe. They can also be used to pack dirt over seeds during planting.

A pitchfork looks like a huge version of a dinner fork. It has long prongs attached to a long, circular handle. It is used to mix up the soil and expose the darker, more nutrient-rich soil.

Rakes work a lot like pitchforks in that they can turn over soil so that plants can get more nutrients. The difference is that the prongs on a rake create a right angle next to the handle, whereas a pitchfork is only slightly curved.

Shears are large scissors that farmers and gardeners use to prune their plants. They can be used to cut off dead or dying portions to save the healthy part of the plant.

Carts generally have two wheels and are more easily maneuvered than wagons. They can be attached to horses or simply pulled by the farmer to move large amounts of fruit or produce during the harvest.