Do you like the garden claw?

[headfullofbees]

I've used garden claws for over a decade.
They are great for weeding, and if the weeds have enough greenery about them, you can even twist the foliage around the prongs and lift the weeds!
A must for anyone with back problems.

 

[DeborahJane]

Both the broad fork and the gardening claw look really useful. If the soil is really hard is it difficult to push the claw in? I, like many of us, have back issues so anything that will ease the after affects of a heavy gardening session would be great.

 

[InvasiveCreeper]

Knowing how to use the basic tools properly can help also

For me I'd say the garden fork or the fork hoe is what I would use, it would be my version of the "garden claw". Hard soil, I would use the pick. Larger areas with firm soil, I would use the broadfork.

 

[steve bossie]

the broad fork looks like it works well in looser soil but our hard clay/rocky soil would make it a chore. the claw on the other hand works well breaking up soil but takes more time to do larger areas. works great to aerate round bushes, trees and in flower gardens.

 

[headfullofbees]

View attachment 2640
This is a garden claw. You stick it in the ground and twist to make a hole. Shovels make my back hurt because of the stooping over. I am short so this should be about the right height for me.

It's a wonderful piece of equipment; it's great for top-dressing & you can weed with it too.
I absolutely recommend it as one of the best garden tools available.
I have been using mine for 8-10 years.

 

[headfullofbees]

Never tried the "garden claw", but the Broadfork is a great tool ~

5 Favorites: The Dirt on Broadforks
http://www.gardenista.com/posts/5-favorites-the-dirt-on-broadforks

About the Broadfork
http://gullandforge.com/

Use that in my clay soil and if it's:
1) dry, you will bend/break the tines.
2) wet, you will get nothing but 4 slits in the soil.

 

[InvasiveCreeper]

Try a pick mattock if your soil is really that bad, but be sure to amend it.