Border Fork
If you are of slight build it will probably be one of the first gardening tools you will buy.
There are several different manufactures, with different designs, but they all do essentially the same thing. So, to try and help you choose the right one for you here's some info to help you choose wisely.
Heads
The heads or "working end" of border forks are normally made from forged steel, carbon steel or stainless steel and the blade and shaft socket should be forged in one piece.
They are rectangular in shape, similar to a border spade, but instead of a flat blade they have tynes, or tines, usually four.
Welded blades and shaft sockets do not make very good fork heads so are not recommended.
The size of the head is normally about 14cm (5 1/2inches) wide by about 23cm (9inches) high. Some heads have welded treads on the top which are supposed to be more comfortable on the feet. But experience has shown that these make little difference.
Shafts
The shafts are mainly wooden, fiberglass, plastic coated steel cored or aluminium and are attached to the head at a slight angle. The wooden shafts tend to be heavier and do need some maintenance to keep them in pristine condition. They will leave splinters in your hands if they are not maintained properly or they get damaged (a light sanding and coating with linseed oil every few years takes care of this)
Shafts range in length from around 71cm (28inches) to around 81cm (32inches). A shaft should be fixed to the head solidly, no matter what materials the head and shaft are made from, by a solid socket insert and fixed securely with pins.
There should be no movement at all at this joint so check this thoroughly before buying. If there is the slightest movement leave it in the display cabinet and try another make of border fork.
The importance of this joint cannot be stressed enough, it must be solid!
What's This Fork Used For?
The border fork is used mainly for digging in confined areas between vegetables and closely planted flowers and shrubs. If you are of slight build and need to dig unprepared or heavy clay soil this fork is ideal.
Most female gardeners prefer the border fork to the garden fork because it is easy to handle with a smaller head and it is lighter.
The border fork is also used to aerate and turn soil and to break up large clumps. This fork is also extremely good for digging out and lifting plants, turning compost and manure and digging in compost and manure.
If you need to dig large areas of open ground or heavy clay soil you will find it easier and quicker using a garden fork which has a larger head making the work easier.
How Do You Use This Fork?
If you have experience of hand tools you will have no problems mastering the use of this fork. The trick is to get the fork to do the work, making it easy for you.
Tip number one. Use the ball of your foot when pressing down on the fork - using the instep will quickly damage the foot tendons and this is a very painful (and slow healing) injury.
For ease of use and comfort the overall length of the fork is critical. It needs to be long enough to prevent you from having to bend your back too much.
The easiest way to find the right length border fork for you is to select one which just about reaches your waist when the head is fully in the ground. If it is slightly shorter or taller it will still be ok.
The best position for using a border fork for any digging work is to place the blade of the fork vertically on the soil surface in the place you want to dig. With both hands gripping the top of the handle and keeping your back as straight as possible put one foot on top of the head with the other foot just behind and to the side of the fork head.
Digging Tips
Find somebody else to do the work...
If you haven't done any digging before, or for sometime it will be hard work and you will suffer aches and pains. Don't overdue it.
If you have a lot of digging to do, don't lift a full fork load every time, digging is hard work, so light loads are best.
Take regular breaks.
Wet soil can be twice as heavy as dry soil so, if you can, wait for the soil to dry out before you dig. And don't forget you will compact the surface of the soil and damage its structure if you walk on it while it is wet.
Bottom Line
The border fork is recommended for digging in confined areas between vegetables and closely planted flowers and shrubs. It is extremely good for digging out and lifting vegetables and plants, aerating soil and breaking up large clumps.
This fork is ideal for turning compost and manure and digging in compost and manure.
Want One? Click on the Image
Do you need any other fork?
If you grow vegetables, have an average or large garden you will need a garden fork for digging unprepared ground or heavy clay soils, especially for large open areas.
If you do grow a lot of vegetables it is worth considering buying a potato fork, with its flat tynes there is less chance of damaging vegetables when you lift them.
Click here to ask about a border fork
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