Tending Tools in the Garden

The right tools can make all the difference, and are essential in preventing ones tired joints to ache. One of our staple garden tools is the garden fork. It's great for turning compost and moving piles of mulch, but my favorite use is aerating compacted garden soil. Simply take a good stab at the soil, press down with your foot as you would a shovel and pull the handle back. These simple motions reduce compaction making way for healthy roots or root crops. Some say this is the secret to a longer taproot, ahem…carrots. It’s also beneficial for soil microbes by providing oxygen and prevents soil from becoming waterlogged.

gardening is groovy

gardening is groovy

We prefer to put the garden fork to work right before planting out a garden bed. It makes incorporating amendments an efficient process. For long season crops like carrots and other root vegetables, we like to use the garden fork once or twice during the growing season. Have you used a garden fork before? Would you add it to your garden tool arsenal? You can find garden forks at your local hardware store or here.