The Swiss Army knife of garden tools, a hori-hori (or soil knife) does it all, says Eloise Czajkowski, a gardener in Denver. It has a straight edge and one that’s serrated, with a sharp notch to cut twine or open compost bags. Its point, which is notched with measurements, can replace a trowel for digging holes, allowing you to measure hole depth as you work. As with pruning shears, it’s worth investing in a nice one, which will cost about $35.
