Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
The Potato Harvesting Scoop, ideal for use large tubs, raised beds, or planters on the patio, in which you are growing your taters, is a brilliant re-interpretation of a traditional potato ‘grate’ – for lifting your potatoes without damage.
The bar across the end of the tines prevents accidental stabbing while the tine’s spacing and shape allows potatoes to be sifted from the soil. The design is a rather old one and the full-size tools were in use in potato and sugar beat harvesting in the days gone by. A proven design.
The tool is ideal for use with Burgon & Ball Potato Planting Bags and also for tub planting, as I do in my garden. If using to harvest potatoes grown in the ground it is recommended to first loosening the soil around the base of the plants.
Forged from stainless steel, with hardwood handle and leather hanging thong, it is a high quality tool and also, in my view, an heirloom which, if looked after, will be a tool that is still going to be used by your children and grandchildren.
A small word of advice: Despite the fact that the potato harvesting scoop has that bar across the tines to prevent damage to the potatoes being harvested the scoop should be used with care, especially when harvesting potatoes while still leaving the plants in place. It is still possible to graze the potatoes, if you work without care, and this would make them vulnerable in storage.
This is, as I have said, a great tool, brilliantly designed and one that will, I am sure, become a heirloom, and I really love using it.
© 2010
