I finally got my birthday present! I have been wanting a broad fork for aerating and loosening the soil in my raised beds ever since I read Elliot Coleman’s book “Four Season Harvest”. He describes it as an invaluable tool, particularly because it aerates and loosens the soil without destroying the healthy soil structure.. I was holding out for the one that is built properly, to his ergonomic design, but have balked at the rather impressive price tag. We finally found the right design at Johnny’s Selected Seeds, and Jim got me one for this year’s birthday present.
It came in two shipments, one long one with the handles, and one big box with the fork part. After Jim put the handles on it for me, I had to run right out to the garden and try it out. This is what the action end of the tool looks like.
And this is how it looks in action.
This is a close up of it rocked back, right before I pull it out for the next pass. Just look at all that wonderfully fluffed up soil in front of it:
In spite of it being a rather heavy tool, it is surprisingly easy to use. I’m sure I will get years of use out of it.
