[AndyRVTR]

I took my new spade down the lottie this morning and decided to break virgin ground.
I had sprayed the majority of my plot with 2 applications on Roundup 3000 around September last year, and it killed everything in sight.
This is the first time that I have dug on this allotment and it was so easy going, I dont know wether it is my new spade or just because I was feeling energetic.
I managed to double dig around 12 sq yards in about an hour, and I am well chuffed  
There hasnt been anything other than weeds growing for the past 4-5 years, so not sure if I need to add anything this year?

[titch]

perhaps it was a combination of new spade and new year inspiration.
well done though, cnat help with your question, am a bit of a newbie myself, someone will knnow tho

[MoreWhisky]

Im looking forward to getting down to me allotment and start diggin with my new fork   .

Have started preperations already went to the chiroprator today. Any other gardeners have back probs?

[Trillium]

The beauty of new spades is that they're sharp which makes the world of difference in digging. Also sounds like you've got decent soil which I truly envy. If anything you might want to keep up soil health and tilth with some old manure blended into the soil and some handfuls of bone meal as well.

[tallulah]

Im looking forward to getting down to me allotment and start diggin with my new fork   .

Have started preperations already went to the chiroprator today. Any other gardeners have back probs?

Yes MoreWhiskey, I live in perpetual fear of my back 'going' in spectacular fashion, leaving me incapable of gardening for months.  I have just bought an azada, which is like a right-angled spade, and very sharp.  It works like a dream, and is, I believe, less risky for back problems than a standard spade.  Additionally, I do regular back strengthening exercises which really do help.

[MoreWhisky]

^'I live in perpetual fear of my back 'going' in spectacular fashion'

I know exactly what u mean. My chiro said do a little alot and actually digging a bit will help strengthen a bad back , so it not all bad news.

[AndyRVTR]

My new spade is designed especially for back sufferers, I suffer from back problems also, but found using this bit of kit an absolute breeze.
Cant wait until tomorrow and dig some more  

[spongebob]

i was in garden doing some digging and broke my old spade :x today
so went to B&Q to get a new one and came away with new spade and seed potatoes  

[amandaandherveg]

I broke 2 forks and a spade last year.  I need to start buying tools in bulk.  :roll:

[compostqueen]

I don't dig at all due to my back going in spectacular fashion. I keep tranqs with me when at the lotty just in case  :roll:   I wish I'd had them when it conked on me last time as I was in absolute agony

I manage without digging by fluffing with a fork and hitting lumps with an azada, and growing veg which churn up the soil for me eg spuds then leeks then celeriac. My rotation is a bit different to other folks, I go for successional crops which are soil churner uppers.  I use manures, home made composts to improve my soil but never dig it in, oh and rotted leaves

[sawnee]

I broke 2 forks and a spade last year.  I need to start buying tools in bulk.  :roll:

Try wilki's wooden handled,nice and cheap and I havent broken one yet :roll: (famous last words)
I suffer with a bad back if I stop and sit around too much( if I'm ill or if its Christmas) best to keep going, doing a bit when I can

[MoreWhisky]

looks like i wont be the only one leaning on me spade then.

[AndyRVTR]

Little and often, little and often...

[AndyRVTR]

Why cant I upload a picture?  

[Yorkie]

Andy,

Have you looked at the threads in the Notice Board forum on posting photographs, also on using the IMG or URL buttons?

Could you be confusing a URL link with an image link?