[lucywil]

long time since any one has called me an imp!! likkle or other wise!! most round here wouldn't know what you are talking about!!

[muntjac]

ahhh well us lincolnshire yellow bellies has to stick together

[Trillium]

Impressive for all that nail-less hand digging. But why so much? Do you um.. 'share' with others, or is it all for you? Or is there a family of 25 at home?

[frazzy]

lol its for  those eastern europeans pmsl he has to feed them some how a shaun    

[mixdiver]

Well done! how many spades did you wear out digging that field?

MD

[wellingtons]

... digging doesn't kill my back, it's my legs that ache.  I did loads yesterday and I am hobbling today.  Am supposed to be going to the gym later, but wondering if my legs can hack it ...  :?

[Trillium]

I get sore arches from digging despite wearing good strong shoes. I've just ordered a special shovel attachment made of plastic. It slips over the handle and down to the top of the metal part. At the back there's an actual step you use instead of the rounded shovel shoulder to step down on. It's supposed to ease foot/leg cramps when spading. Too bad it doesn't help with some sore backs. Usually after a week or 2 of digging, I'm back in shape again - the terror of the garden worms.  

[Eristic]

l step you use instead of the rounded shovel shoulder to step down on

Are you trying to dig with a shovel? If so, you deserve backache. Dig with a spade, use it properly and without any added marketing gizmos. Do not attempt to dig beyond your body's capacity. If delicate hands are getting blisters, use gloves. Rub some sandpaper over the tool shaft to hake sure it is free from splinters or other roughness and make sure the rivits are hammered flush and smoothed over.

[muntjac]

oil a wooden shaft with good quality teak oil n let it dry properly and then rub it down with fine grade sandpaper as eristic says , keep it oiled and clean dont lift more than the spit each time cut with precision . digging is an art and should be taught in my mind , a man could dig a 6ft grave with neat sides in 2 hours now its done by machine in the same time but without the reverence it deserves .

[wellingtons]

... how do I stop my legs from aching tho?  My hands are fine, I wear soft leather gloves and my back is fine ... tis just my thighs ... or is that cos I'm a girlie ...  

[Smudgeboy]

Good Lord man, leave some for everyone else!

Do you do this full time? You must grow more veg than you could possibly eat - is it a semi-commercial operation?

Just curious, like.

And jealous - you could fit my garden (greenhouse, shed and all) on one of those beds!  :cry:

[Trillium]

Are you trying to dig with a shovel? If so, you deserve backache. Dig with a spade,

Actually, I do use a spade, just used the wrong word. However, my spades all have turned back tops on the metal part - including my high quality ones with oak handles. No tool maker in the world makes a sharp shouldered one. Think I just have a problem with my insteps. Learned years ago not to scoop up more than the spit size. This new step I'm buying is centered and you put your whole foot down on it. As for gloves, I have my kangaroo skin ones on before I walk out the door. They weren't overly expensive and well worth it when I handle rose thorns and pull out thistles with nary a prick. Sadly, they wear out in about a year from so much gardening, but they last twice as long as other gloves.  
Welly, give your legs a hot soak with lots of epsom salts, and that water is great when cooled and poured over the roses. I buy the magnesium (epsom salts) by the sack for garden use.

[muntjac]

i can take up  a massaging course for all you ladies with sore bits if thats any help  

[Trillium]

Still no takers on the massage course, eh Muntjac? Poor wee soul.    I agree that the new machines digging graves don't have the reverence one might expect. But I'm still curious why you don't use a rotovator on those plots of yours. Doesn't it turn deep enough for you? Also, is that greenhouse in the 2 pix the 2nd freebie you got? Nice one. Wish I could score something like that. In Ontario, skip diving in retail areas is subject to prosecution (especially with the unsleeping evil eyes constantly on duty). Even our county dumps won't allow 'recycling', but the dump attendants seem to do okay.

[milkman]

Why not be daring and just stop digging altogether?  the only digging i do these days is to harvest my spuds, parsnips (when I manage to grow any) and carrots.  Let the worms do the work.  I know MJ disagrees with me so no need to comment Munty