Riddle (tool)

A riddle is a large sieve used to separate soil or compost particles, or for separating soil from vegetables.

A square riddle

Etymology

English "riddle" is from Middle English ridelle "coarse sieve," from late Old English hriddel "sieve," altered by dissimilation from Old English hridder "sieve" [1]

Description

A riddle may be square, rectangular or circular in shape, with a rim made from wood, metal, plastic or beechwood, holding in place a steel wire mesh that may either be handwoven or machine-made. A typical circular riddle is approximately 18" in diameter and the mesh may have a spacing of something like 1​1⁄2", 1", 5/8", 1/2" or 3/8".[2]

A riddle is typically used to improve soil quality by allowing the gardener to sieve through soil and remove stones, twigs, large lumps of clay etc. and hence provide a finer tilth. Smaller riddles can be used to separate soil very finely for seeds and early potting. Riddles may also be used to help remove soil from harvested vegetables.

gollark: They do have much better policies, though.
gollark: I'm liberal democrat, but honestly they have zero chance of doing anything.
gollark: > Streetrights are handled by police if they leave their houseWhat?
gollark: But he is pretty bourgeoisie.
gollark: Apparently he's only a conservative member because he does not really like labour and we effectively have a two-party system.

See also

References
  1. http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=riddle Online Etymology Dictionary: riddle
  2. John Henley (7 December 2009). "Disappearing acts: Making a riddle". Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
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