how unfit

[greenfingers007]

Morning all,

Well, managed to get out of work a couple of hours early yesterday, soooo went down the loti to dig over my winter onion patch ready to plant at the weekend, I know my plot has been cleared and plowed, but hell fire, It was a lot harder than I had expected, me being honest, It wasn't so much the digging which did kill me but when they plowed the plot all the roots had been broken up and it was every time I turned the ground spending ten mins sorting through getting as best I could all the roots out.

I surpose it will either make me fitter or my wife and kids richer.

[womble]

Thats why I went to raised beds

[vegnut]

Yep. I did that and still am

[Snadger]

You have to get a rhythm going.......dig a spadeful turn it over, lean on spade with one hand whilst removing vegetation with tuther, side cut with spade, back cut and turn over ad infinitum, ad innfinitum!
Quite a pleasant task on a bright autumn day and think of the gym fees you've saved!

[Demeter]

We have used a fork for this job - saves cutting up the roots, which makes them easier to get out, and also I think it is a little easier to dig, especially through compacted soil which is what we had, with a fork than with a spade, less resistance or something... Although that tip might not help you as with ploughed land it may well not be compacted and the roots will already have been cut up a fair bit!

Anyway, yes it is hard work! and time consuming - keep having to get on your knees after every forkful lifted to sort out the roots - grrr. It takes longer than you expect it to and can be quite disheartening, but then again if you do it right, you do only have to do it once. When you go, mark out a patch that you want to dig, being overcautious about how much you expect to achieve, and it'll soon be done. And then when you have finished a patch it is quite satisfying to stand back and admire your handiwork!

The most important thing is, don't overdo it and wear yourself out or do yourself an injury - you will get stronger at it over time, especially as you find your rhythm.