Not all projects require power tools or big builds—sometimes the biggest wins come from simple, sturdy tools used well. One of our members, Lakshmi, recently tackled a major yard project in the hottest stretch of the summer, and the Tool Library’s gear made all the difference.
The mission: remove a large patch of thick grass thatch, foot by foot.
The tools of choice:
- Hori Hori garden knife – for slicing cleanly through dense turf
- Green garden cart – for hauling away mountains of debris
Armed with these, Lakshmi headed out at 5 a.m. for several mornings in a row, beating the heat and cutting through the thatch with surprising ease. Once removed, the sod was piled up to dry out before making a trip to the Ivy landfill with just the plant debris—no wasted space, no messy loads.
And the cost savings? At least $150—the hori hori runs about $24 and the garden cart is easily $125+. A great reminder that sometimes the simplest tools are the ones worth borrowing, not buying.
While this project didn’t necessarily boost new skills, it did earn something else: massive appreciation. As Lakshmi put it:
“I cannot express enough how much I LOVE the Cville Tool Library.”
From a previous home to the current one—“which has a LOT of problems”—the Tool Library has been a reliable partner in tackling maintenance and yard work. Her only wish? That a few high-demand favorites, like the small battery-powered pruning saw, had duplicates so more members could get their hands on them.
A perfect cue for us to grow, welcome new members, and expand our most-loved tools.
Have a project you’re excited about? We’d be thrilled to share your story next!
