jordkrok

Jordkrok is a Swedish term that literally translates as earth hook or ground hook. It is a generic noun rather than a single, standardized object, and its exact meaning varies by region, context, and historical usage. The word is commonly used in gardening, farming, and construction to describe tools or devices that interact with the soil.

In gardening and horticulture, a jordkrok typically refers to a hand tool with a curved or hooked tip used to loosen soil, pull out stones, or extract plant roots. The design is modest and its specific shape can vary between manufacturers and local traditions. In larger-scale work such as fencing, drainage, or temporary structures, jordkrok may denote a simple device that uses a hook or lever to anchor into the ground or to retrieve buried components.

The term’s etymology is straightforward: jord meaning earth or soil, and krok meaning hook. Though translated as "earth hook" in English, the phrase does not designate a single international tool. Rather, jordkrok appears in Swedish-language manuals and catalogs as a category label for hooked soil-contact tools rather than a brand or model.

See also: Hook (tool); Gardening tool; Ground anchor.