Yesterday, I was reviewing my April issue of Garden Design, which is now only available online (how I will miss the glossy magazine!) and ran across a one page review of one of my favorite gardening tools: the Hasegawa tripod ladder. It was love at first sight when I first saw it at Shed in Healdsburg.
As the article in Garden Design says this ladder is incredibly stable with its flared base and deep double rungs. I personally use it to reach my figs and peaches that are too high to reach otherwise. It’s lightweight enough that you can maneuver it in between the branches to reach every last piece of fruit.
It has a telescoping back leg that can be adjusted up or down and locked into place at 6 inch stops, making it easy to use on uneven terrain. There is a chain between the ladder and adjustable leg to ensure your ladder doesn’t extend too far. The ladder will support up to 300 pounds!
This tripod ladder comes in a wide array of sizes – from 6 to 16 feet. I found the 12′ ladder to be adequate, especially since I don’t love being on a high ladder. Be sure to ask for the optional “shelf” that folds out at the top so you can place your basket on a flat surface while you pick fruit. If you’re local, Shed may even deliver one to your home :).
