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Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Living well in the urban village

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« The Perfect Gooey Cookie Slab
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Ho-Mi Garden Tool

October 9, 2013 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

Many years ago, Pete lived in a little village outside of Canberra called Gundaroo. He wasn’t there long – just for a few years in his late teens. During that time, his family (and particularly his mum) became good friends with their neighbours, Mike and Joyce Plane.

When I was nineteen, I visited Gundaroo for the first time, and we went to lunch at the Planes’ house. I remember them both clearly – Mike was older with a full beard and a wicked sense of humour, while Joyce was down to earth and welcoming. I also remember being very impressed that she’d made the pasta we ate for lunch that day from scratch (not a common thing in 1984).

Fast forward thirty years to last week, when my friend Alison and her family paid us a visit. I met Ali through blogging, and one day, as I was posting her some sourdough starter, Pete looked at the envelope and said, “hey, I used to live near there!” One conversation led to another, and it turned out that not only did Ali live in a neighbouring village to Gundaroo, she  actually worked for Mike and Joyce. It’s a very small world!

These days, the Planes run Gundaroo Tiller, a specialist gardening tool supply company. When Ali visited, she presented us with these very special tools – one being a gift from her, and the other a gift from Mike. Pete and I were very touched that he even remembered us after all these years!

Known as the Ho-Mi (pronounced “hoe mee”) this unusual tool is a traditionally styled Asian hand cultivator. It is very strong and hand forged in Korea by traditional craftsmen. Its angled neck makes it ergonomic and easy to use – so much so that Alison no longer uses any other hand tools in the garden…

The leaf-shaped hammered head will be useful for countless garden jobs, from tilling to furrowing to planting. I also think it’s really very beautiful…

The smaller version is lighter, and should come in handy for getting in between plants…

Here’s the information that came with the tools…

I can’t tell you how nice it was to receive this gift, and not just because the tools are brilliant, but also for the emotions they brought with them. We lost Pete’s mum a couple of years ago (today would have been her 74th birthday), so to receive something from friends who were closely connected to her was incredibly touching. Mike, Joyce and Ali, thank you! x

PS. Mike and Joyce will be holding their Annual Organic Fair on the weekend of the 26/27 October. If you’re interested, more details are available on their website.

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Posted in Recipes | 66 Comments

66 Responses

  1. on October 9, 2013 at 12:16 am thecompletebook

    Ooo I would love one of these.
    :-) Mandy xo


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:27 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      They work really well, Mandy! :)


    • on October 10, 2013 at 4:16 pm thecompletebook

      Hi Celia. I am sharing some family love with you on my blog today. No worries about accepting or not accepting, just wanted to share it with you. :-) xo


      • on October 10, 2013 at 4:46 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

        Mandy, you are just the nicest person, thank you! xxx


  2. on October 9, 2013 at 12:18 am sallybr

    Not a great gardener here, but the tool is interesting indeed…

    just wanted to say thank you for adding my “IMK” post to your front page… Great to be able to participate this month!


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:27 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      It’s always so nice when we can peek into your kitchen Sally! Hope it’s all going well! :)


  3. on October 9, 2013 at 12:19 am Danielle

    Such a lovely story Celia, and you are right, it is a beautiful garden tool. I never thought I would say that about a garden implement, but that’s one of the many things I love about your blog — you introduce your readers to things that are not necessarily considered conventionally beautiful, but through your lens they become so…IMHO ;-)


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:28 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Danielle, you’re always so kind, thank you. The Ho-Mis really ARE beautiful, and you can just imagine them being heated and hammered into shape. They work brilliantly too! :)


  4. on October 9, 2013 at 1:03 am dishnthekitchen

    those are very beautiful…tools as works of art. it’s a shame they need to get covered with dirt!


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:28 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Bernie, they’re even more impressive in action! :)


      • on October 10, 2013 at 9:08 am dishnthekitchen

        I wonder if they would stand up to our very clay rich soil…some of it is so hard I have broken garden tools on it. Guess I should do some amending?


  5. on October 9, 2013 at 2:12 am heidiannie

    Those are lovely. My brother made me a cultivator many years ago that is used in the same way and very handy although not as pretty- yours has a wonderful leaf shape that I really like. BUT I understand about the emotion behind the gift and the feeling that it is made just for you and fits into your life on many different levels. Thanks for sharing your story and your gardening tools!


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:29 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Heidi, it’s really clever how it works, isn’t it? With a downward swinging motion rather than an upward digging one – it makes it far easier on the old joints! :)


  6. on October 9, 2013 at 3:24 am cecilia

    How wonderful, and also as you love gardening .. how very useful. They look dangerous, to weeds of course.. I bet you are out there in your garden right this minute chipping away, accompanied by your chooks of course! c


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:30 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Celi, they’re so sharp! I couldn’t believe how well they worked in the garden. Pete and I just threw away all the crappy plastic handtools we’d been using – they were all cracked and broken, so this was a very timely gift indeed! :)


  7. on October 9, 2013 at 4:00 am tableofcolors

    What a beautiful story and a special gift! Yes, the world is indeed small!


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:31 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Laila, I’m starting to realise that it’s tiny! :)


  8. on October 9, 2013 at 5:26 am alison@thisbloominglife

    It is indeed a small world! It was a special day meeting you and such fun. Now go get those tools dirty… Xxx


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:32 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks again darling, we had such a fun day! Your family is absolutely gorgeous!


  9. on October 9, 2013 at 7:52 am Rose

    Celia, come here while I give you a kiss on the forehead. Tony has quite bad arthritis but he loves gardening, I think I’ve found his Chrissy present.


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:32 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Oooh I hope so, Rose! :)


  10. on October 9, 2013 at 7:53 am anne54

    They really are works of art. And I can think of a few people in my life who may be getting one as a Xmas present — thank you!!


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:33 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Anne, that’s great, thanks for supporting them! It really is an excellent bit of gardening kit! :)


  11. on October 9, 2013 at 8:16 am theintolerantchef

    What a great sounding tool, and I like that it’s angled to the side life that.
    How lovely that your new friends reconnected you with your old friends Celia. I hope today isn’t too hard on you, Pete and the boys with the anniversary, and that you can have a day of happy memories instead sweetie. Xox


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:33 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Becca.. x You might find this tool useful with your sore arms, love?


  12. on October 9, 2013 at 8:47 am Norma Chang

    What a small world, I have pictures in my mind of you using your new tools weeding, loosening soil around your plants …. and enjoying the moments.


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:34 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Norma, you would understand – we’ve been struggling with crappy garden tools, and these ones are so solid and well made, it’s SO much nicer to work with them!


  13. on October 9, 2013 at 9:01 am Claire @ Claire K Creations

    Wow it really is a small world isn’t it? What beautiful tools. Happy Birthday to Pete’s mum. I like to think you still get to celebrate your Birthday even if you’re no longer here.


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:35 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Claire, now that’s a nice thought, thank you! :)


  14. on October 9, 2013 at 9:21 am Bronwyn

    I have a Ho-Mi and use it all the time in preference to other small hand tools for weeding, tilling and even making furrows. You won’t know how you got by without a Ho-Mi now!


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:38 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Bronwyn, good to hear someone uses and loves it! I like how their website advises, “never lend it to your gardening friends!” :)


  15. on October 9, 2013 at 11:13 am Eha

    Methinks you will use these often, very often. I have friends who swear by them and since they are light and ergometric I really should make the effort to get 1-2 myself. With that lovely family historical story attached I can see you smiling every time you reach for one . . .


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:39 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      They are very pleasing in the hand, Eha!


  16. on October 9, 2013 at 11:25 am Madge

    Celia thank you for the introduction to the Ho-Mi, I have had a quick look at the website, what an interesting place and I love the way they share their knowledge. We always have a gratitude toast to my Mother on her birthday even though she is no longer here with us.


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:43 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Madge, I’ve just found Mike and Joyce’s planting calender, which I think will be very useful:

      Click to access plantingcalendar.pdf


  17. on October 9, 2013 at 12:55 pm hotlyspiced

    What a lovely story that seems to have gone the full circle. Such kindness! I can imagine that tool being very handy. And how amazing that the Plane’s are working in a business that sells goods that are just what you and Pete would be interested in! I’m sorry to hear that Pete lost his mother a few years ago. These days we hope our parents will live on until their in their late 80’s and anything else seems like they were taken from us too soon xx


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:43 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      People are very kind, aren’t they Charlie? And we’re all getting to the stage where our folks are aging, it’s a tricky stage in life…


  18. on October 9, 2013 at 2:05 pm EllaDee

    What a great tool, and connection. I think I shall have to share this information with the G,O. :)


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:44 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      I hope he finds it interesting ED!


      • on October 10, 2013 at 5:46 am EllaDee

        I hope he buys me one for my birthday ;)


  19. on October 9, 2013 at 2:15 pm ChgoJohn

    It is truly a small world, Celia. That tool looks like a handy one to have, even more so knowing the context. Without going into a long story, I’ve a tool that, whenever I just see it, let alone use it, I remember Mom and can’t help but smile. I hope this tool gives you the same pleasure each and every time you see it. :)


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:44 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      John, thank you! And it sounds like a wonderful long story, I hope we get to read it one day! xx


  20. on October 9, 2013 at 2:33 pm Kim Bultman

    Celia, everything you plant, grow, or cultivate with that beautiful tool will be extra special, thanks to the emotions and the story behind it. I love how it looks like a leaf.


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:46 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Kim, thank you, it’s very beautiful, even when covered in dirt! And so sharp – I keep trying to wave them around like ninja weapons, but the boys are certain I’m going to cut myself (I get a bit klutzy with things like that!) ;-)


      • on October 10, 2013 at 12:39 pm Kim Bultman

        Ha, Celia! Knives in the kitchen command the same respect (I’m very careful with my piano-playin’ fingers) and I loved your Ninja analogy. :) Your family life make me picture FUN!


  21. on October 9, 2013 at 4:28 pm Lizzy (Good Things)

    Such a lovely story, Celia… love the tool too!


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:46 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Lizzy! Close to you – do you think you’ll make their open day?


  22. on October 9, 2013 at 4:37 pm lambsearsandhoney

    That is such a sweet, thoughtful and useful gift. And I love the look of the hand beating on the blade.


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:46 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Amanda, that really appeals to me too! I have visions of hot fires and blacksmiths with large hammers and anvils.. :)


  23. on October 9, 2013 at 4:44 pm Jas@AbsolutelyJas

    I looooooove Gundaroo! With Canberra house prices as ridiculous as they are, I continue to try to convince CPoo that 200 acres at Gundaroo is a much better way to spend our money :) I went to Mike and Joyce’s open day last year, which featured lunch (free range Berkshire Pig pork belly rolls with chilli jam and asian slaw) cooked by Martin Boetz and Janet Jeffs. It was fabulous. How I would love to do an Allsun Farm internship and drop out of the corporate world for a few months to learn how to (properly) grow my own fruit and veg :)


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:47 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Jas, I’m so glad you went and loved it! I only visited a few times, but it’s a lovely part of the country!


  24. on October 9, 2013 at 7:36 pm Jane @ Shady Baker

    Beautiful story Celia, that tool looks very handy too! x


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:47 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks Jane! We love them!


  25. on October 9, 2013 at 10:12 pm Melanie

    What a wonderful gift to receive. I love the color of the metal and the hammered marks on the blade. Very sharp tip too. I think it will work beautifully in the garden & will carry such special memories.


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:48 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Mel, thank you – it’s one of those things that just feels good in the hand, if you know what I mean. Sturdy and solid and balanced and sharp..


  26. on October 9, 2013 at 11:05 pm dianeskitchentable

    I LOVE those tools! They definitely look practical AND actually work. How many times do you see these cheap gardening hand tools that are made of plastic or just don’t work well? I’m thinking of those little claw things & it seems lately all I can find are ones with the fat fingers that just don’t did into the weeds well at all – it’s almost like a child’s toy.
    How wonderful to still have personal connections to people.


    • on October 10, 2013 at 5:49 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Di, the day after we tried out the Ho-Mi, we threw out all our cheap and nasty plastic hand tools! And yes, the connection makes them even more special! xx


  27. on October 10, 2013 at 7:39 am Jo

    It’s a tool and a piece of art in one!


    • on October 10, 2013 at 4:47 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Jo, I think you’d like this. It makes things easier on the hands! :)


  28. on October 10, 2013 at 8:12 am Joanna

    Objects and meaning and memories all together, powerful writing, I liked this very much, love to you all xx


    • on October 10, 2013 at 4:48 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      Thanks dearheart. Hope all is well in your world, and that you get your hands on one of these ho-mis! :)


  29. on October 10, 2013 at 9:08 am Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella

    I’ve been to Gundaroo twice-to eat at the fabulous restaurant called Grazing. Have you guys been? It’s worth a visit! :D P.S. I know nothing about gardening so I have little to contribute to the gardening talk :P


    • on October 10, 2013 at 4:48 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      It’s a lovely little place, but we haven’t been back there in years! :)


  30. on October 11, 2013 at 11:25 pm Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

    I loved the restaurant Grazing too. The garden out back and the chooks – perfect. I took a stroll down the street – it’s pretty sleepy there but would be lovely to visit. :) I like the garden tools!


    • on October 12, 2013 at 7:31 am Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

      It’s been years since we last visited Gundaroo! Sounds like the restaurant was great!


  31. on October 15, 2013 at 5:00 pm nifty thrifty | elladee_words

    […] and the lead up to Christmas. Even so, I’ve asked for an IOU for my birthday or maybe a digger, and will submit a list of books to go under the tree for Christmas morning, from which the G.O. […]



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