Does anyone know anything about gardening?

I seeded some in a planter next to my nearest bus stop. The council never do anything with it but always come out at the start of spring to clear the weeds. Loads of Poppies growing there now.

I recall someone previously doing a comparison of the Japeto and Niwaki Hori Hori trowels, but I can't seem to find it now.
I'm now at the point of purchasing one as a gift - has anyone got any views on whether one is better than the other, or are they pretty much the same?
Thanks!

Edit: Found it!
@hugo7 have you had any more thoughts since your initial views?

Funny you ask as I was going to post something.

First off, I'm absolutely sold on hori horis as a tool.

As for the Japeto one, I haven't used my mum's Niwaki but I would say that for prolonged use without gloves the Japeto has hotspots due to the handle design. With gloves it's absolutely fine. I like that it's stainless as I'm not diligent about cleaning. Overall it does look nicer as a gift, but I'll let someone else chime in on the Niwaki.

From pics the Barebones hori hori handle looks the best. It's just a shame how expensive it is with a sheath...and the fucking stupid edc/kickstarter-esque bottle opener.

I haven't got the Japeto and I've never used one, but I wouldn't be without my Niwaki hori hori. So useful. Particularly with the under planting of my hedge which I've just started.

Thanks both. Making me want to get an extra one as a gift to myself too!
@hugo7 is it the angle or the shape of the handle on the Japeto? I wonder whether it would be possible to reshape / soften the edges of the wood to be more comfortable if that's the cause of discomfort

No. It's the flatness.

The most natural and comfortable position is holding it like a sword

Whereas most of the time I want to hold it like a trowel. This is why I like the idea of the Barebones, as it is closer to a trowel.

I still rate it though.

Okay, thanks. I'll get a Japeto (or maybe 2..) ordered!

Wife’s gone to London for the day. It’s dahlia o’clock.

Maybe I should have told her 😬

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is that dug out lawn? do you just dispose of it In the brown bin?

No I threw it in the undergrowth of a very thick hedge. I’m going to throw some gravel down and some compost and cross my fingers.

What’s the frost risk currently?

What’s the opinion on the metal lawn edging to stop the lawn edge from slumping?

I had some everedge metal stuff at our previous house, which stood up well and was easy to install. Gave a clear defined look to the borders.

Perfect. Ta

Frost risk is zero I would think. Average night temps are around 9c around here. I'm more worried about the waterlogged ground rotting everything out, was hoping to plant out this weekend but we've got standing water again. Might have to get pots going in the house for now.

I’ve got a decent supply of gravel so my plan is to dig down and take some soil out, then fill with gravel and then dahlia, then soil so it’s never stood in water

You've reminded me to get my dahlia tubers out, I usually pot them up first before planting them out.

Without geotextile soil particles will soon wash into your gravel bed.

The at least I tried

I'm no dahlia expert, but surely they are capable of withstanding some soil in their gravel, no?

Unless that part of the garden is particularly boggy, I'd just stick 'em in with a load of manure. My fear with a gravel bed would be them drying out in a baking summer. Jinxed it now.

I’m sure they’ll be fine. I’ve got some manure so will make sure they are covered over.

That's what MontyD does. My current water level appears to be 5mm below ground level so I'll have to wait.

I suppose it depends where you are, here in London it gets ass hot and they are fine with no gravel for drainage but I remove them over winter now as it gets too wet for them.

I’m not planning on digging them up. Just covering with shitloads of manure.

When we got rid of some grass we piled it up turf to turf waiting for it to turn into loam...... And then we moved lol.