tools for loosening the earth [3]

hoe

Tool with a thick sturdy blade attached directly to the handle; it is used especially for loosening and weeding dense soil.

pick

Tool whose head is pointed on one end and has a cutting edge on the other; it is used to break up hard or rocky soil.

rake

Tool with tines perpendicular to the handle, for leveling the soil, removing pebbles and gathering debris.

hook

Tool with curved tines, used to handle fertilizer and compost, pull up root vegetables and loosen or weed the soil.