Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Chatting => Equipment Shed => Topic started by: subeyman on May 13, 2009, 22:03
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Hi all ive just got my first allotment and learning pretty much from scratch (ive done some stuff in containers).
Id like to know what tools ill need to get started, the sites been static for about 4 months so a bit of work is needed, any info would be great, thx
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Big fork and little fork will do most jobs and will probably be your most used tools, then a SS (Stainless steel) spade, hoes (Push and pull), rake, SS hand trowel and hand fork, watering cans, hose if allowed, wheel barrow, knife, string, pruning saw and secateurs if needed.
Can't think of much else.
Bob
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Big fork and little fork will do most jobs and will probably be your most used tools, then a SS (Stainless steel) spade, hoes (Push and pull), rake, SS hand trowel and hand fork, watering cans, hose if allowed, wheel barrow, knife, string, pruning saw and secateurs if needed.
Can't think of much else.
Bob
This sounds good but "pruning saw" = never used one on my plot so only if you need it (??)
An old (cheap) bucket for the weeds as you dig (or use barrow!!) ;)
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also........a flask
Old chair
Small table
small gas stove
frying pan and small saucepan
sausages
bacon
eggs
baked beans
tomato ketchup
plate
knife
fork
:mellow:
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also........a flask
Old chair
Small table
small gas stove
frying pan and small saucepan
sausages
bacon
eggs
baked beans
tomato ketchup
plate
knife
fork
:mellow:
You forgot the tea bags.
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the sites been static for about 4 months so a bit of work is needed, any info would be great, thx
In that case I'd look here (http://www.get-digging.co.uk/testimonials.htm).
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I've been using one of those for about an hour today Oldbean, to slice the weeds off of the top of part of an overgrown plot after it had been strimmed down. It's just about crippled me. The pains in my should joint are NOT nice >:( (I wondered why OH refuses to use it).
I'm going to glyphosate the rest of the plot :tongue2:
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I've been using one of those for about an hour today Oldbean, to slice the weeds off of the top of part of an overgrown plot after it had been strimmed down. It's just about crippled me. The pains in my should joint are NOT nice >:( (I wondered why OH refuses to use it).
Mmmm............. perhaps you needed a different length handle, or the blade needed sharpening. I sharpened my next door neighbour's. Before that it wouldn't cut butter.
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I've been using one of those for about an hour today Oldbean, to slice the weeds off of the top of part of an overgrown plot after it had been strimmed down. It's just about crippled me. The pains in my should joint are NOT nice >:( (I wondered why OH refuses to use it).
Mmmm............. perhaps you needed a different length handle, or the blade needed sharpening. I sharpened my next door neighbour's. Before that it wouldn't cut butter.
Run it up to me Aunty i will sharpen it up for you, it might make things easier.
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Mmmm............. perhaps you needed a different length handle
You have just highlighted my biggest bugbear with the Azada, the handle isn't long enough for folk much over 6ft 2in tall, and being 6ft 5in tall I am firmly in this category. Please please can manufacturers realise that we are getting taller as a nation, and that adjustments need to be made!
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then a SS (Stainless steel) spade
Careful when buying a stainless spade, they're often very brittle! Depending on how hard your ground is. Ours has been between 2 and 4 years uncultivated, last summer when we took it over I had to use a pickaxe to break it up!!! However one of these: (http://www.tooled-up.com/ShowImage.aspx?Type=3&File=FAIASGMYD.jpg&Man=FAI&Size=500) will last forever and take anything you can throw at it. Also being narrow will be lighter in use and have better penetration.
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=2612
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I've been using one of those for about an hour today Oldbean, to slice the weeds off of the top of part of an overgrown plot after it had been strimmed down. It's just about crippled me. The pains in my should joint are NOT nice >:( (I wondered why OH refuses to use it).
Mmmm............. perhaps you needed a different length handle, or the blade needed sharpening. I sharpened my next door neighbour's. Before that it wouldn't cut butter.
Run it up to me Aunty i will sharpen it up for you, it might make things easier.
I filed it and honed it with a stone Kris. If I'd have missed the weeds I'd have ended up without feet :lol:
The handle is difficult to hold as it's just like a long broom handle and there is no way to grip it when you swing it. If it had a handle shaped more like a pick axe it would be easier to grip and then I wouldn't have severe pains in my fore arms. There is also no shock absorbance in it and everything you hit with it (tuff weed stems, especially couch grass tussocks) just referrs the shock back up to your shoulders.
Using the Adaza has convinced me that I'm going to use glyphosate to clear the weeds :D
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Can someone confirm that an Azada is just a fancy or trade name for an Adze or even a grubbing Mattock, a tool that has been around for hundreds of years?
And Adzes were always on a pick handle!
Bob
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The get digging ones are just on a long straight handle not shaped at all but with a blade just like and Adze. OH says it is a Mattock. Can't show you a picture as the site is "on holiday" ::)
They would be much easier to use with an axe type of handle !
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Just searched Mattock and you can get a standard Mattock head here:
http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Faithfull-Mattock-Head-22044.htm
And it will fit any length pick-axe handle, and you can get them at any builders merchants, the same place or screwfix for about a tenner.
Bob
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They're not like that they only have a blade on one side and it's quite wide. More like a grub hoe.
http://www.easydigging.com/
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I like my azada but it is fundamentally a mattock, which you can get cheaper
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Can someone confirm that an Azada is just a fancy or trade name for an Adze or even a grubbing Mattock, a tool that has been around for hundreds of years?
And Adzes were always on a pick handle!
Bob
azada is Spanish for hoe. The handle fixing is designed to fit a convenient branch which the user would find, cut, fit and dig. Maybe the fresh branch would absorb the shocks where the seasoned one transmits it. I don't have trouble with shocks through the handle. I use light cuts, and if I need more effort, I get it moving fast towards the ground, then relax my grip just as it hits the ground. I don't want all that energy up my arms.
Those easydigging tools show much longer handle than are sold in the UK. That may make all the difference. Chillington sell shortish handles. I will make some longer handles.
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For clearing the top growth of weeds and grass I prefer to wait until it has rained or the ground is softer and then use a sharp spade to skim the surface off. Once you have the knack (it took me a while) it is quick and easy. ;)
Then dig the lot through bit at a time to clear the ground of roots.
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............. use a sharp spade to skim the surface off. Once you have the knack (it took me a while) it is quick and easy. ;)
That's ok when you are young/agile/fit or all three. ;)
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For clearing the top growth of weeds and grass I prefer to wait until it has rained or the ground is softer and then use a sharp spade to skim the surface off. Once you have the knack (it took me a while) it is quick and easy. ;)
Then dig the lot through bit at a time to clear the ground of roots.
That's what I did to my first plot 3 years ago. It certainly caused me less pain :lol:
And Oldbean, Aunty is NOT young 300+ at least ;)
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............. use a sharp spade to skim the surface off. Once you have the knack (it took me a while) it is quick and easy. ;)
That's ok when you are young/agile/fit or all three. ;)
True... my dad, at 94, now leaves this for me to do. ;)
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think I will stick to Mattock as it's a perfectly good English word for a better looking tool (Proper handle).
Bob