Dibber and widger
These are two small garden implements which are of particular use in propagation procedures:
Dibber
This is a wooden, plastic or metal, pen-like instrument which is about 15 to 30cm long and is mainly used to make holes in growing media (the larger sized dibbers make larger holes and may be T shaped with a handle to help you push them into the ground). A dibber has many different uses, including:
- Making holes to sow seeds in.
- Firming in seedlings when pricking out.
- Make holes to put stem or root cuttings in (so the cutting isn’t damaged by being forced in).
- Making holes through plastic woven membrane mulches to plant out seedlings.
Widger
This is a small, metal instrument which is shaped rather like a spatula. A widger is used to lift out seedlings and rooted cuttings with minimal damage – it is inserted into the growing medium so it scoops under the delicate roots and pushes them up from below, rather than them being pulled from above.
