A useful tip for digging

[Kallie]

A good tip I've thought of trying this year is when digging up nettles and stubborn weeds, to prevent too much back ache.
First put the fork in the ground, and partly push the handle half way down towards you, then using your foot bang down the handle to the ground. I found this easier, as I have had back trouble occasionally. Just becareful though as it can put strain on your ankles.

Anyone else does this?

[chris]

Not after I snapped a fork doing it, nope

[VirginVegGrower]

No I don't. How do you get the fork back up? Surely you have to bend.

[veggiechicken]

With all the tree roots here, I'd worry that the fork would spring back up and clout me somewhere painful
I fork around the nettles from all sides, then grab them and pull. Very satisfying - if you're wearing gloves

[Kallie]

Well I've come in after doing a bit more digging, before the rain comes.

Yes you still have to bend, but there is no straining involved doing that. It's just I find when the ground is full of heavy weeds, it's easier getting them out of the ground.

Luckily I've got a good strong metal vintage fork. The only wood part is the top of the handle, which my dog has tried to have ago at,so I've had to wrap piping tape around it. I now have to tell her to sit and wait a way back. She is very obedient that way, although gets very jealous, if she's not involved. If I ask her to dig a part, she's very co operative that way.

[buzzingtalk]

Yeah I do most of thr work with my feet/legs rather than my arms as I have really weak wrist joints. Can get it right in, then I sort of use my foot to lever it forward whil pushing it too.

[Snadger]

I use a 6'0" long, sraight ash handled spade with a heart shaped blade. Saves my back I find.

[veggiechicken]

A grave digger's spade ^^^^

[binley100]

My thoughts exactly VC.......

[alldigging]

If it doesn't dig out with the first attempt, adjust the position of the fork until you've attacked it from all sides.

Horrid roots are sometimes better excavated and then cut to make it easier to get at the rest of them.

[Ananke]

Recently I've been using one of those four pronged things that you twist the weeds out with. It's no good for deep rooted weeds but its making short work of the others and seems to be less of a strain on my back than the fork.

This thing was lying in my shed for more than 10yrs and never been used until now.