Using

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How To Use a Broadfork (instead of digging garden beds)

05/11/2011 in Gardening, How To, Intelligent Designing, Plants, Selecting, Simple Skills, Tools, Using by Evelyn | 1 comment

BroadforkThis simple and primitive looking tool, the Broadfork, is one I highly recommend every garden. The Broadfork is used to loosen and aerate soil without causing disturbance to the beneficial organisms and ecology in your soil layers. I prefer using a Broadfork over using a rototiller any day. I find the Broadfork to be in alignment with my gardening philosophy, which is; observe, learn, then do only that which sustains all beneficial life-forms in the garden, and whenever possible avoid using things that keep us dependent on outside sources (such as: gas, oil, manufactured equipment that can and will breakdown). The Broadfork is going to out-live any rototiller and it does not require any form of energy once it’s manufactured, other than your own – which makes it useful in weight-control and provides many other health benefits.

Using a Broadfork will also not allow weed seeds, which are hidden in your soil to come close to the surface of the soil and germinate; which is always the reality when using a rototiller or double-digging. Continue reading “How To Use a Broadfork (instead of digging garden beds)” »

Evelyn Vincent Evelyn Vincent

Native Plant Landscaper, Gardener, Labyrinth Design, Feng Shui Practitioner,  Aromatherapy / Essential Oils, Big Fan of Nature and Living Simply.

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly."
~ R. Buckminster Fuller

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Using Tools: Digging a Trench with a Spade

04/09/2011 in Gardening, Landscaping, Simple Skills, Tools, Using by Curt Siters | No comments

The other day I was digging a trench to run water into the new laundry here at Earthaven. The trench was to be at least 18″ deep to get it below frostline and had to run about 25′ to the main water line and remove enough earth to be able to tap into the main water line. All told I would remove over 37 cubic feet of earth (about a third of a ton) – mostly red clay. Fortunately, the red clay was soft and the spade could slice through it easily. It would take me three hours working at a moderate pace to accomplish.

spade cut thickness

My spade blade is 9″ wide by 12″ long. It would take two blade lengths to get deep enough. One spade width is sufficient. I also only took about 6″ bites to keep the load lighter just in case any rocks (which weigh about 100lbs per cubic foot) should appear in that blade full of earth.

To reduce strain on the handle I can only put the blade into the ground as far as the shoulder on the blade and use the shoulder to lever out the blade full of earth.

If your blade isn’t sharp you may find yourself jumping on the shoulder of the blade to get it to cut into earth. If your blade isn’t sharp, on soft ground this won’t be necessary and only stepping on the shoulder will suffice.

Step method for digging a trench easily

I will dig using what I call “steps” where I start (after digging the initial hole) by taking out 2 loads one blade length down from the ground surface and then 1 load down from that step. I then do one from the top and one from the step – keeping this rhythm going until I reach my destination.

The earth is placed uphill from the trench to make refilling it easier and to not lose the earth in the grass and plants down hill. It will also help to keep run off from any rain from filling the trench until the line is actually in place.

For choosing a spade or shovel, or to learn more about them, see my article on Selecting and Using Tools: Shovels

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Curt SitersCurt Siters

Webmaster

Shoals Creek Village - a new build intentional community.

My Eco Oasis - the hub for what will be a network of many ecovillages.

Big fan of living simply

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.  ~Albert Einstein

Man's heart away from nature becomes hard.  ~Standing Bear

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Selecting and Using Tools: Shovels

04/07/2011 in Gardening, Landscaping, Maintenance, Natural Building, Selecting, Tools, Using by Curt Siters | No comments

Is it a spade or a shovel – what’s the difference?

Parts of a spade

Shovels and spades have been around a very long time and are used in various ways from gardening to landscaping – so long in fact that the design cannot be improved. You will see all kinds of “flashy” things added – wider shoulders, different handles, additional handles, curved shafts – but these really do not change their design.

A shovel is a tool with a handle and a broad scoop or blade for digging and moving material, such as dirt or snow. Handle lengths and blade lifts are important to balance and efficient shoveling. Low-lift blades and irrigating shovels are best for digging and turning soil while regular-lift shovels and scoops are for moving and throwing earth and other materials.

A spade is a sturdy digging tool having a thick handle and a heavy, flat blade that can be pressed into the ground with the foot.

Many people call a shovel a spade and vice versa. According to the dictionary, a spade, deriving from the Latin word spatha, is a long-handled tool with a flat blade that is pressed with the foot and used for digging, while a shovel is a long-handled tool with a broad scoop used in lifting and moving loose material. Ultimately you dig with a spade and you shift stuff with a shovel. And both can be used for both the purposes. Continue reading “Selecting and Using Tools: Shovels” »

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Curt SitersCurt Siters

Webmaster

Shoals Creek Village - a new build intentional community.

My Eco Oasis - the hub for what will be a network of many ecovillages.

Big fan of living simply

Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.  ~Albert Einstein

Man's heart away from nature becomes hard.  ~Standing Bear

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