A Fiskars hatchet. Photo by Judith Rogers Most women wouldn’t be too thrilled to receive an axe — or more accurately, a hatchet — for a gift.

But there it was, an eightinch compact version included in my box of sample tools from Fiskars. We get a nice selection of goodies to try from them each year, at the annual garden writer’s meeting.

I was excited to finally have my very own petite hatchet and not for hiking, camping and chopping kindling, as the company suggests. As I looked at the other women at my table, pondering what they could possibly do with this kind of tool, I was talking about all the uses I’d have for mine. So many times when dividing tough perennials, the garden fork or a spade gets stuck in the middle, and I wish there was something on-hand to chop through the whole mess. Some plants, and particularly a few trees on the property, spread by hard rope-like roots.

I can control them with something clever that cuts and nips them in the bud, so to speak. This summer, I plan to find more uses for this new toy. So ladies, look for a lightweight hatchet like mine at local retailers, to put in the garden basket.

Although Fiskars has been a leader for home, garden and outdoor supplies, they originally were known for their orange handled scissors for kitchen and craft use.

In 2002, they began Project Orange Thumb as a community gardening initiative, to provide groups across the United States and Canada with tools, materials and resources to create beautiful and productive community garden spaces. Organizations in the two countries can apply for a grant, to help reach their goals for neighbourhood beautification and the creation of healthy, sustainable food sources. In 2008, the program was expanded to include hands-on garden makeovers, to transform barren lots into productive community gathering spaces.

The Master Gardener group I belong to in Newmarket previously won a grant for the community vegetable gardens behind the church where the meetings are held. The members of the church, and people in the condominium next door that had the plots, received tools and money that went towards soil and plants.

Out of the 2011 recipients of Orange Thumb grants, only one was from Canada — the Karma Project in Penetanguishene.

The Karma Project is a new organization in the notfor profit sector, drawing members from diverse backgrounds to help improve their community. The Karma Project's commitment to their 'Ecology Garden' is as much about social ecology as it is about the environment; they believe developing strong bonds within the community is as important as growing healthy food.

The Karma Project hopes to add 20 new plots to the Ecology Garden site. They will also work with the local museum and schools to design and build a Children's Interactive Garden space, which would have on-site activities and regular programming for kids. In addition, the Ecology Garden will focus on native trees and shrubs, as well as growing healthy, sustainable produce that will help feed the impoverished in their community.

If an organization is interested in a grant from Orange Thumb, the applications are available in the fall.

Visit my home and garden blog at http://lavendercottagegardening. blogspot.com.

— With files from Fiskars