Long Handled Tools

[clarelouise4]

Hi
I have a long standing back problem - not bad but digging can aggravate it quite quickly - and I wondered if anyone uses long handled forks or spades and if so what makes can you recommend. I grow on clay soil if that has any bearing on a recommendation.
Thanks
Clare

[WiZeR]

Hi Clare, this thread may be of some use to you:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ead.php?t=3140

I bought a long handled spade from http://www.get-digging.co.uk/ and so far it's been so - so. I think I need it to be longer personally, but then i'm 6ft4

Take it easy

[rustylady]

Sorry, I can't really help - just wanted to say hello. I have the opposite problem, being just 5 feet and a tiny bit tall. The standard ones are usually too big for me. I think a lot of the solution is not so much in the tools themselves, more in the technique you use. I've found it's better to take smaller "bites" and to use the tools as levers, not just try to life a whole spadeful of soil - that would mess up anyone's back, specially if it's clay and wet.

[roitelet]

In North Devon where I used to live and now in France the usual type of tool has a long handle and I have learnt to use them I am 5'4" and find that I can dig for ages with the long handled forks and spades. It is a question of balance, using the long handle as a lever. No bending Takes a bit of getting used to though but good when you have.

[Peter]

I have a couple of long handled spades, a Focus own brand and a Ws or SJ one. These are the american style spade, which being pointed also goes into the soil a bit easier.

Homebase have a "contractor" range Roughneck I think I posted about them a few weeks ago, with english and american style longhandled.

Just wish I could find a longhandled fork!

[WiZeR]

Just wish I could find a longhandled fork!

look on the site i posted above, they sell them on there.

[johnty greentoes]

Hi
I have a long standing back problem - not bad but digging can aggravate it quite quickly - and I wondered if anyone uses long handled forks or spades and if so what makes can you recommend. I grow on clay soil if that has any bearing on a recommendation.
Thanks
Clare

We share the same soil - just different banks of the Humber.

See my blog for my various rantings about heavy clay. It is very hard on the back so I dig for 10 mins then do something else. I'm 6'1'' and have found usual tools too short. Did you se WIZER's link - very interesting.

[clarelouise4]

Thanks for all that guys. As I have already dropped about 200 hints for my mothers day present I shall make sure I leave all this information casually laying round the house - you never know your luck !!
Clare

[HeyWayne]

Being 6ft 7 I am yet to find tools long enough. I bought an azada and an "American" style spade, both of which, whilst longer than traditional tools, still slightly too short for me. I have seen tools by a company called Sneerboer which look on the long side, but they are also tres expensive!

Had all sorts of problems with my back in the past (culminating in 3 slipped discs), so I am always very careful now. Our soil is on the clay-ey side so gets rather weighty when trying to lift too much.

Just have to remember to bend at the knees.

[lez]

very interesting thread. at 6' I suffer aching back and an arthritic hip and having watched (work fasinates me I can watch for hours) some one who lived in france for a while use a long handled spade he made digging look easy. snoeboer are expensive but if it means I can enjoy my lottie without the pain I'm up for it. they use them quite often in cornwall I noticed aswell and wonder if with the french it's a bit of a celtic thing. I am only concerned that the handle does look a little fragile for heavy work. every one speaks highley of them so a mate who has one is giving me a trial so looks like I am in the market and if they do forks aswell all the better. I will remember to bend zee knees. this thread has been going awhile and how are you all getting on with, if you purchased, long handled spades atc. I would be interested to know. cheers all.

[Victoria26]

poundland do long handled garden tools for a quid a piece. At that price I'm gonna get some.

[Gryfon]

We've found a long handled spade but it's not one with a blade that's flat across the bottom. When I was last in France at some of the Vide Greniers (or spelt something like that) there were a fair few long handled tools being sold. Think I might have to get a couple this year. Or my other thought is to get a new long handle for my broken fork and get hubby to attach it.

At the moment I can only manage about a 1' square area before I start to stiffen up, but I have a feeling that's from bending down to pick up the roots! Is it best to dig and then get down on hands and knees to get the roots out?

[diana]

Does anyone have a small watering can for watering seedlings if so where did they get it ?

[lez]

Hi all. Just to say I have been using my recently bought long handled spade and I feel great, no aching like I usually get, in fact I dug over a fair bit of ground. Feeling very pleased with my investment and self. anyone who suffers like me give the long handled spade a go. also when watering seedlings I use a fine rose adaptor I bought at a garden centre and fits a normal watering can as you push it onto a normal cans spout. It works great for me. cheers now and best wishes for a new season to all.

[jacob marley]

[QUOTE=Gryfon;387779].one .Or my other thought is to get a new long handle for my broken fork and get hubby to attach it.

What you want is a pitchfork stale if you have a agricultural merchant on your island you may be able to buy on from there .
I use one in a 5 tined fork with the tine's bent over for knocking ground about .
They fit perfect so good luck....jacob