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The Tucson Gardener |
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Reaching for the... The first time I saw the Arcoa E·Z Reacher® was at a Home Depot garden center. It wasn't for sale. One of the vendors was using it to pick up small pots of cactus to place on the display shelf. The vendor was fluid and precise and it reminded me of all the times I've picked up small pots of cactus and got stabbed in the fingers. Sort of clever use of a tool, I thought. A few weeks later I happened to be back in the same store and spotted a display of the long handled pick up device. On impulse I tossed the thing in my cart and had second thoughts when I realized it had a $20 plus price tag. Hey, I wasn't going to use it that much.
The simple aluminum device has a trigger that you squeeze to clamp two rubber cups together at the other end. Mine was the 32S model which means it had a 32-inch reach. Other models are available with shorter and longer lengths and at varying prices. As the manufacturer claims: "EZ on your knees, Ez on your back, Ez on your hands and EZ to use." All true, I discovered. What you use it for depends on your needs. I found it particularly useful for picking up damaged citrus that had fallen under the tree. I've pulled out trash that blew in the prickly pear. I've used it to catch a pack rat and pick up dead things I find in my yard once in awhile. I've used it to escort a king snake away from the front door. It's useful, plain and simple. Mine now hangs from a hook under the porch of my garden shed along with a couple of other garden tools I use on a regular basis. It may not be a true gardening tool but you'll find it useful to use in and around the garden. I still bend over, even get down on my hands and knees to do gardening. But it's a pleasure to reach for the E·Z Reacher® when there's the need. You can find the product on-line from numerous websites or visit Arcoa Industries for additional information. (2005) |
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