Digging an overgrown plot

[greasemonkey67]

As some of you may have read,I have recently took over a plot which has been left for over two years. I have taken on advice from some of you and not to rotorvate but to dig,weed n plant as i go. I have been wondering if the Chillington Digging Hoes and the fork type ones available are as good as everyone says. As the ground hasnt been dug over in years it has some pretty tough areas and the digging hoes bear some weight. Whats your opinion on the digging hoes?

[Aberdeenplotter]

never tried one. I'm firmly a fork and spade man when tackling virgin ground. I'm also a dig and weed as I go person with the planting later

[oldie]

I have an Azada and would never go back to a spade. Much easier on the back especially if you have a weak one. Also you can get different sizes/weights to suit your build.

[Snadger]

I have a heart shaped spade with a long ash handle.(Probably got a special name, but i've no idea what it is!) Like most gardeners I get back pains with normal spades but with this tool I could dig all day.
I'm a dig a bit, weed a bit, plant a bit person mesell.............and never dig again after the first time, relying on mulches and crops to blot out the weeds and feed the soil.
Lift a crop,tickle the soil with hoe or fork, apply mulch and plant new crop through it!

[hollychap]

I have a heart shaped spade with a long ash handle.(Probably got a special name, but i've no idea what it is!) Like most gardeners I get back pains with normal spades but with this tool I could dig all day.
I'm a dig a bit, weed a bit, plant a bit person mesell.............and never dig again after the first time, relying on mulches and crops to blot out the weeds and feed the soil.
Lift a crop,tickle the soil with hoe or fork, apply mulch and plant new crop through it!

hi what do you mulch with

[Two_Sheds]

what do you mulch with

Whatever you can get hold of: grass clippings, well rotted compost/manure, even wet newspapers or cardboard. Anything to prevent sunlight getting to those weed seeds in the soil

[binley100]

I have a heart shaped spade with a long ash handle.(Probably got a special name, but i've no idea what it is!) ...........

erm grave digging spade comes to mind

on our new plot some of the ground is nigh on impossible to just stick a for in , but I have a three pronged thing which breaks the surface and rips out the couch grass roots which helps loosen it enough to dig.

[greasemonkey67]

Thanks for the replys, i am now the proud owner of a chillington heavy duty right angled digging fork. Went out to play this morning at 8am and its Brilliant you soon get the hang of using it,and it is easier on the back. You can get right down deep in the soil and lift the couch grass right up. I managed to get a handle from H.simpson garden supplies in scunthorpe for a digging hoe that i was given by a friend, the handle was the cheapest i could find at £6.95, and there very helpful to beginners like me. Happy days!

[Snadger]

erm grave digging spade comes to mind

......................

Or a Burke & Hare!