[Windswept Jiggle]

Not long got our new overgrown plot dug over, and have been given another even more wild plot. The grass is about 3ft plus and has not been used in years. I'm thrilled to get it but daunted by the task of clearing it.

I strangely like digging! I enjoy the exercise as well as the sense of satisfaction. But it's slower going than I thought it would be. We have had plot 1 for just over a month and only finished digging couple weeks ago, and that was with 2 of us. Me and the other half need to get this plot dug over fast, not only because we were given it for free on the premise we would sort it out, but because it's getting late and I have loads of surplus stuff that really don't want to be in their pots anymore and are starting to suffer. I really would like to make use of this plot this year.

Anyway, I digress. Are azadas/digging hoes considerably faster than a spade? I've looked at the few Youtube videos there are about them and I think I understand the action involved. But none of the videos are using it on overgrown ground not dug in years.

We (hopefully) have got two whole long days this weekend to devote to it, am I being too ambitious? Not only is it overgrown, we haven't had decent rain here in a while. I think rain is forecast this week.

Are azadas really as good as people say?

[Annen]

I like the spade for turning the soil over, but I like the azada, and I have a fork version (I don't know what it's proper name is), which are both good for when I want to break up compacted ground.  I find I use the fork more than the azada, (surprisingly, because it was only an afterthought when I bought them) as it goes into hard soil easier. My technique, being a weakling, is to swing the fork/azada head high and let it drop into the soil, then lever the clod up, working side to side of the bed. I haven't tried it on overgrown soil but my feeling is that I would probably use the fork version first. I think it is quicker than a normal spade, it is certainly easier on the back, but I would still use the spade to finish off.

[Headgardener22]

I have an azada and find it "good" for breaking up the clay bed. My only comment would be to try before you buy if you can. I'm of average height but, I find that mine is slightly short in the handle and I end up leaning forward all the time and the angle of the blade when it hits the surface isn't quite vertical enough.

[grendel]

I have 2 a heavy one and a medium, I have just got the other half of my plot and it is much as you describe, I have strimmed down to about 3" and will use the azada to strip the surface (this involves hitting at a shallow angle and skimming just under the surface cutting through roots- about an inch down) the resulting weed loaded clods will be added to the compost heap. they are also great for getting bramble roots out. rather than using a similar sized fork one I use a Canterbury fork, which is similar with 3 tines but a little smaller than an azada.

[Windswept Jiggle]

Thanks for your replies.

I ordered the azada and it worked great. Got a good section dug over a couple weeks back and got most of my surplus plants in the ground. I am now a fan of the azada. That said, it's a cheap 'Silverline' one. I think the handle is made from soft wood, as it was splitting before the tough work this weekend.

But this weekend it came into it's own for double digging though. One end of the plot must have formerly been used as an experimental testing ground for discovering new types of super hard concrete! The spade just about got the turf up but trying to hack away underneath was very tough. The azada barely got through it -  fork or spade, not a chance. Without the azada I would never of been able to dig it, most of the time I was purely pickaxe-ing rock and grinding it down into smaller pieces. Never experienced anything like it.

[Stewarty]

I'm also a big azada fan, and have used one for 10 years or so. Also persuaded our allotment committee to buy a couple of different sized ones for loan to members - who responded with general enthusiasm.

I use it for scraping surfaces, hoeing, rough digging, making grooves for sowing seed into, and so on. Mine is a good quality one, bought over the internet, but I still find that the blade can get loose on the handle  -  so I store it blade down in a tub of water, which may have some long term problems, i imagine, but so far just kkeps the blade really tight and firm on the handle.....