Can Boston Be a World-Class City Without a Tool Bank?

Cities around the country are reaping the benefits of tool banks, where residents or non-profits can borrow tools for low cost. But Boston isn't one of those cities.

A recent post on the Atlantic Cities blog touted the power of tool banks: places where costly tools can be loaned out at low cost. Picture a massive shed stocked with shovels, rakes, power tools, wheelbarrows, ladders, water hoses, work gloves—even a tiller and a generator. Since opening last year, Charlotte’s ToolBank has equipped more than 11,000 volunteers at 500 different projects, lending tools with a combined retail value of $243,000 for only $7,200. It now provides 134 nonprofit agencies with tools. That's in Charlotte, people of Boston. I'm a proud North Carolinian, but when you're talking urban innovations, I'd like to think Boston has a step up on the Queen City. The Boston area doesn't have any tool banks, according to Deb …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Growing Greener

How to Pick the Best Tools For Gardening

The right garden tool can make you a happier gardener.

My community garden neighbor and I were clearing weeds from our joint border when she generously loaned me her weeding tool. The minute I held it in my hand I knew I had come in contact with a tool I wanted to spend the rest of my gardening years with. It has three thin curved claw-like tines that slide into the earth with authority, pulling up the target weed, roots and all, with no nonsense.  I turned to where I was just about to plant my beans this year, and found that the tool dug deep and aerated the soil with almost no effort on my part. This was a tool designed for a gardener like me who wants to be up close and personal with the soil and the plants. What's more, it has a brightly colored handle, a real plus when you are looking for…

•  2 Comments
• Photos (3)