Mattock or Pickaxe?

[noviceveggrower]

Hi,

My new plot hasn't had anything on for sometime apart from weeds. The ground is very dry and hard its like concrete. Its that bad even a heavy duty rotavator can't get through it.
One of the guys has suggested getting at mattock or a pickaxe to break through the surface then get the rotavator back on to break it up more.
So which one would you recommend? I am just over 5ft so wouldn't want anything to big to swing about.
Thanks

[nickdub]

Mattock is more generally useful in gardening - pickaxe is really only handy for digging holes - but I'd suggest you either wait for rain or get a hosepipe on it. You aren't going to be able to do much with the earth until its a bit wetter.

[Jay-ell]

I use both (plus sledge hammer, crow bar, bolt cutters) in the garden and the mattock is generally more useful all round. The pick axe can bring more force to a smaller area if you really need to dig hard ground or need to break through a compacted layer (e.g. compacted gravel path) to dig it up but as Nick said, the smart way to do it is to get the soil wet first (and not just a splash with a watering can but a good long turn the hose on and then go and check out seed suppliers letting the water run kind of soak)

[Mikey]

I have an azada, which is a cross between a spade and a pickaxe, it was very useful turning over my heavy clay initially.

The longer the handle the better, it takes less bending.

[Bren In Pots]

I found the mattock handy for digging around tree roots, its not to heavy either. I'm 5ft.4in so not much taller they you NVG.

[bario1]

A pickaxe is really great if you want to dig a trench, but it's hard work digging over a plot with one. I used mine for both of the above, and have to say, I couldn't have done the job without it. But a mattock is probably better for your needs, especially if you feel you'd struggle physically with a pickaxe - they are heavy tools.

[Bill Door]

I recently (about three weeks ago) took over a new allotment with tall grass. It had previously been rotavated by the builders before being handed over to the council. I used an azada (purchased in France about 12 years ago) to "skim" off the weeds at ground level and piled the grass/weeds on a heap. The ground was hardish so I used a small mattock that I acquired from my father (so it is about 60+ years old) and broke up the top layer. So far I have planted out about three quarters of the allotment and I am pleased with the result (altough some seeds have not made an appearance so far).

The soil is clay based and underneath is lumpy in parts. I think that sometimes the easy option isn't always the best. However, that said, if you want to plant this year then you have to do what you can.

If you use an azada then just take small slices and I would not suggest going too deep. You will find that once you get into the swing of it, it gets easier. Also, try to rub down any lumps of soil with your boots as you move on the surface.

Good luck
Bill

[mothhawk]

Being a lazy gardener I wouldn't even attempt to break up the ground. I'd get a trailer load of FYM dumped on it, spread it around at least 8" deep. Then if you can, a layer on top of that just as deep of straw, and plant your veg through that into the FYM. By next year the worms will have done all your digging, turned in all that FYM and straw, mixed it up and aerated it for you.

[veggiechicken]

Same as MH. I can't even lift a pickaxe, let alone whack it into the soil.
So strimming, covering and compost/manuring would be my choice.

[Greenleaves]

I would support what MH and VC say, if is baked that hard then all you will be doing is breaking through the surface and one it rains then gets warm you could find yourself repeating the process. The FYM will help to make the soil texture more friable

[noviceveggrower]

Thanks for all the advice. My problem is that the new plot is on an public footpath area and there isn't anywhere to deliver any manure. The gate to get in is very small so would have to try and get a trailer delivered. There is also a school next to the footpath so wouldn't want anyone stepping in anything or complaining. I'll have to check with the committee to see if there is anyway I can get some delivered and keep it out of the way of walkers and passerbys.

[Greenleaves]

Cheap compost will also help if manure is a problem

[ESBkevin]

Manure is often plentiful and reasonable value when bought in bulk, but is delivery is a problem any kind of organic material will have the same effect, it just takes time to gather, deliver and apply. No dig gardening isn't without effort, but it resolves soil issues very well.