Tools!!!

[buzzingtalk]

OH kindly came to the allotment yesterday to help me dig out some MASSIVE brambles. We were doing really well until the spade broke off from the handle (this was a decent, older spade!). He then stuck my fairly new (about 3 months old) fork in to loosen the roots and one of the tines came off as well as bending all the other ones. I have read lots of threads on here in utter dismay, how do you know if a tool will do the job? Where can I purchase such tools in Norwich? I have a few days off this week and had planned to get my lottie sorted so need tools ASAP. Thanks!

[super trowel]

Car boot sales for cheapness (and some time really good tools too)
Or if you have the money, local garden center's usually have good makes (not too cheap)

Sorry I can't recommend any shops in your area, but am sure someone will in a min

[chris]

I don't want to teach you to suck eggs, but both of those tools are for digging really, not levering!

Of course, we all do use them to lever roots out I was sick of bending them, breaking them so I've gone now for bulldog, and the s&j neverbend range. Happy with them.. I believe I got mine from a well known DIY store, orange square, white writing - that one.

Though, an azada (spelling?) might be a good tool to chop the bramble roots to be able to lever them out better?

[alex-adam]

Best to use a pick-axe for levering out stubborn roots etc.,

As mentioned above, Car-Boot Sales are usually a good bet for reasonably priced tools and you may well find some quality items. If you want to replace with new tools, then Bulldog are excellent and still made in England !!

Link : Quality Garden Tools - Silky Saws, Tina Knives, Bulldog Tools and more!

[VirginVegGrower]

Pick axe for that job, as has been said above.

[jackyspratty]

I use an azada as mentioned by Chris. I love it love it. Im pretty short so use the light weight version. Mine has a sharp edge one side and prongs on the other.
The prongs are fab for getting out coych grass etc with out snapping the root. Its also easy to use for your back as it has a downward slicing action.
Heres the link where I got mine...Norfolk too!

Get Digging with Alternative Tools for the Allotment and Garden

Really rate them Mines pretty light too, but you can get heavier ones if you want

[Piggle]

I have a matock which has a sharp end and a flat end - weighs a tonne though.

[Bren In Pots]

We bought mattock after spending what seemed ages trying to dig out some tree roots, the mattock soon did the job.

[Two_Sheds]

I got my big bramble roots out with a pruning saw and a garden fork (lever & saw, lever & saw, but gently on the fork).

[SarzWix]

I'd suggest going for carbon-steel tools, rather than stainless steel (the dark grey boring ones rather than the shiny ones) because I believe them to be stronger - my OH has been through a few stainless steel forks since we got the allotment, but my carbon steel one has been going strong for about 8 years now, and has dug out a pine tree stump and a couple of shrubs without bending

[donnakebab]

Never had a problem with bending or breaking and only use bog standard (B & S) tools though I have used an axe on stubborn roots along with copious amounts of swearing and rugby songs (same thing really).

The plot next to me had a young oak growing on it when it was taken on. Don't know how somebody let it get to that state. They cut it all down as far as they could but then had no way of pulling out what was under ground. should have tied a chain round it and pulled it out with the car.

[WendyC]

I use an azada as mentioned by Chris. I love it love it. Im pretty short so use the light weight version. Mine has a sharp edge one side and prongs on the other.
The prongs are fab for getting out coych grass etc with out snapping the root. Its also easy to use for your back as it has a downward slicing action.
Heres the link where I got mine...Norfolk too!

Get Digging with Alternative Tools for the Allotment and Garden

Really rate them Mines pretty light too, but you can get heavier ones if you want

I've looked at these before and was really interested when you said you used it for couch grass. I've just moved plot ( my choice) and there is rather a lot of couch grass. Digging it over is killing my back. I'm 5'4" do you reckon the lightweight one would suit me?