That's groovy. I tend to use my “weed stick” (whatever you call that tool with the little notched fork at the end of the shaft), which is not optimal.

I love this tool so much that I asked Santa for it, http://www.rainyside.com/archives/GardenerGifts.html. It works as well as you say it does.

Jim, you'll recognize another of my wish list items since you mentioned it a few days ago. I'm always on the lookout for tools that make my gardening tasks easier and both of these do that very well.

Hmmm, that link doesn't seem to work. Let's try it again.
http://www.rainyside.com/archives/GardenerGifts.html

Dear Lisa,
It's uncanny: I've always suspected you're two steps ahead of me, and this proves it! I swear I discovered these independently--I found the pot lifter at Aw Pottery, and Denman himself introduced me to the root hook--but you posted them ahead of me. How on earth do you do it?

--Jim

Jim, I can't claim any special skill. I've just been blessed with right time, right place more often than I can recount, having great friends in my life and the good sense to follow their lead. You were the one who recommended I visit Bob Denman's Reg Pig Shop. I came across the pot lifter at the NWFG the year you encouraged me to attend. Thank goodness I had the smarts to follow your suggestions both times!
-Lisa