A Gardener Without a Wheelbarrow or Garden Cart

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Our man in Europe, veteran horticulturist Mike Alexander, learns just how valuable these wheeled transports are in the garden.

A few weeks ago I was in the process of moving a large pile of compost to a section lower down on the estate. When my wheelbarrow, rather untypically, got a flat tire I didn’t think much of it and decided to carry the compost in two large trugs (large produce baskets). Considering the trip was not that far and compost not so heavy anyway, just how difficult could it be?

The first few trips went relatively well, but then problems began to develop. For some reason that I still don’t fully understand, my knees, which have gotten along well together for years suddenly entered into a dispute and refused to go in the same direction. This meant I developed an alarming wobble, particularly on the downhill run when the trugs were full. A half hour later with the pile of compost still as large as it was when I started, I was beginning to look like I was auditioning for the lead role in a remake of a Charlie Chaplin film. It was then, amidst my shattered illusions of masculinity, that I realized just how much we take the simple wheelbarrow for granted.

As a child, my daughter loved to be pushed around the garden in my wheelbarrow but I had never considered this would lend that certain little something to my marriage. When I questioned my wife on the matter she considered it for a moment or two before deciding that she would far rather I pulled her around town in a rickshaw.

The wheelbarrow made its European debut in the 4th century, when Roman emperor Elagabulus was recorded using one to wheeling women about his court in frivolous games. After a brief mention in the history of Rome, the wheelbarrow was next heard of in in the 15^th century, when European historians reported first reported its use on building sites. It remained a rarity, however, and its only documented use was i in France, Holland and England.

In fact, it was the Chinese who seem to have discovered the wheelbarrow. Prime Minister Zhuge Liang is credited with having invented the wheel barrow during the 2^nd century, when it was used primarily for transporting military supplies. It was deemed so important that it remained a military secret much along the lines of modern day stealth bombers. The Chinese wheelbarrow differed from ours in that the wheel was in its center so that nearly all the weight carried rested on the axle. This was so efficient that a single man could push a barrow carrying up to six people at a time. (Current front-wheeled barrows only cut the weight in half, but the four wheel variety more evenly distribute the load while eliminating the need for a balancing act.)

When Dutch explorers first visited China in 1797 they were amazed to find the Chinese attaching sails to their barrows much like those on junk sailing ships. These could be controlled with sheets and stays to utilize any available wind. Some of these sailing barrows were still used as late as 1965.

Today the wheel barrow can be found in just about every part of the world to move heavy objects from point A to B. Despite its simplicity, it remains one of the most efficient machines ever invented.

—Mike Alexander

Mike Alexander, GV’s European correspondent, lives in Southern France where he manages a large estate garden. A horticulturist for more than 20 years who has professionally gardened in the UK, France and Africa, he writes regularly on gardening, food and environmental issues for magazines and Web sites in the U.S., France, South Africa and New Zealand.

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