2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
The pitchfork can be found in the arsenal of almost every gardener and gardener. They are a multifunctional tool used for loosening soil, weeding, and tossing grass, hay or manure. In addition, a pitchfork can do a good job when digging up some root crops
Fork characteristics
As a rule, the functionality of the purchased forks is determined by the shape of their teeth. Forks with wide and rather powerful teeth are intended for loosening the earth, removing weeds, etc. The shank of such forks is usually also quite large. And for compost, hay and grass, the forks are equipped with longer, thinner tines and a handle.
Forks with faceted teeth are good for digging the soil, as well as when harvesting potatoes - it is very convenient to pick up the tubers with the teeth of the pitchfork and shake off the soil adhering to them. Forks with flat wide tines are good for digging out bulbs, and a tool with frequent large tines has proven itself well in carrying various debris and manure.
There are also quite small pitchforks called curb pitchforks. They are approximately 14-16 cm wide and are very convenient for gardeners working between plantings of all kinds of crops.
Forks are often used by experienced gardeners for digging a plot. The fact is that earthworms live in the soil, providing its natural aeration. When loosening the soil with a shovel, they often die, falling under its blade. Digging with a pitchfork allows you to avoid such a nuisance. Plus, moist soil doesn't stick to them as much as it does to a shovel.
For heavy soils, high-strength carbon steel forks are most suitable. Equipped with anti-corrosion coating, the tool steel tool is suitable for fertilizing and working on pliable and soft soil. A simple garden pitchfork, the work surface of which is made of stainless steel, is quite suitable for transporting plant tops, leaves and hay. The main thing is not to use such a pitchfork to move heavy loads and dig up the soil.
How to choose a pitchfork
When choosing a forks, it is best to compare several different models. You should buy those that will be more comfortable and easier to work with.
Convenience of work largely depends on the handle - the length of the handle must meet the tasks that will be required from the pitchfork, as well as the height of the person. For digging and loosening, it is better to give preference to models with short cuttings (110 - 120 cm). And for raking hay into haystacks, as well as for working with manure or organic fertilizers, models with a handle length of 150 cm are suitable. Wood cuttings are strong and light, but not particularly durable - after some time they dry out from the sun and crack, as well as become heavy and rot from excess moisture. When choosing forks with a wooden handle, you need to pay attention to how smooth the surface is and how high-quality the varnish is. But plastic cuttings, distinguished by their lightness and excellent resistance to weather changes and to water, are not very durable and sometimes may not even withstand excessive loads. The most durable and reliable are metal handles. Although they are quite expensive and very heavy, such handles make it possible to lift huge amounts of various fertilizers, compost and manure, as well as dig up hard soil without much difficulty.
When buying forks, make sure that the teeth are of the same thickness and length. The distance between them should also be the same. And in the places where the teeth are welded there should be no cracks or other damage.
And, of course, the forks you buy must be durable. Forks made of easily bendable wire deteriorate very quickly, especially if they have to face rather dense clay soil. Therefore, the teeth of the forks must be made of hardened and very high quality metal, as well as have an anti-corrosion coating, which will always allow this tool to not be afraid of wet soil or water. In addition, such pitchforks do not require any special care at all and are able to serve even for several decades.
