BUYERS’ GUIDE
Geoff Hodge rootles around to look at what’s available in garden forks
Every gardener needs a good garden fork. They’re essential tools for breaking up, turning and aerating the soil, incorporating soil improvers, turning compost heaps, carefully lifting bulbs, tubers and corms and much more. But, despite one frequent use, they’re not designed for digging out large rocks or big roots, otherwise you run the risk of bending the tines.
There are numerous things to look out for when buying one, and your first thoughts should turn to yourself and how comfortable it will be to use. Is it the right length for your height? Afork that is too long will be uncomfortable to use properly, whereas one that’s too short will mean constant bending, putting pressure on your spine and back muscles, resulting in backache. Is it very heavy and does it feel well balanced in the hand? If it’s well balanced, even a heavy fork is easier to use than one that is poorly balanced.
The next consideration is the material used to make the tines – usually carbon, alloy or stainless steel –and the shaft. Stainless steel does not stain, corrode or rust as easily as carbon steel. It is also lighter and easier to keep clean. Ash wood is the traditional material for the shaft. Being wood, it tends to be quite heavy, but has the ability to absorb shocks and vibrations when in use. Plastics, resins, fibreglass and composite handles are also used and tend to make the forks lighter, but they’re not as good at absorbing shocks.
Keep it comfortable
As well as the length and weight, look at:
HANDLES Short T-handles can be very uncomfortable if you have large hands. Wide and even ergonomically-shaped D-, YD- or O-shaped handles provide more grip and allow you to exert extra force when using.
PLASTIC-COATED shafts and soft plastic handgrips help to reduce friction on your hands, reducing blisters and other problems, and provide non-slip grips.
ERGONOMICS Some manufacturers supply ergonomic forks, designed to make using them easier, with ergonomically-angled or cranked shafts and handles.
What type?
DIGGING FORKS are the traditional forks with a wide head of long tines and fairly long shafts.
BORDER FORKS have the same overall design as a digging fork, but with a narrower head and shorter tines and shaft. They are better suited to those who need a shorter fork and for use in tight spaces. SHORT FORKS are even shorter and suitable for shorter gardeners and for use in very tight spaces, when digging in raised beds or from a kneeling/crouching position. They provide more leverage and power than a hand fork, especially when cultivating heavy clay soil.
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