[johnnyboy]

Rotavator £60-£100
I was lucky that I inherited my wifes, grandads.
Its a bit old, it has no motor and the handle gives you splinters.
Another name for this tool, I believe, is the common or garden fork.

[DD.]

Good point, well made!

[superplanty]

Try www.bbc.co.uk/digin for 5 packets of free seeds (tomato,lettuce,squash.carrot,beetroot) It's a cheap start to growing veg.

[kermit]

I'm just starting out in my small garden - spent a fortune on good quality wood for raised beds, not to mention decent bolts, top soil, new drill etc etc.

Neverless, I've found loads of stuff on Freecycle.  I'm comforting myself that all this is pretty one-off capital cost.  Just means I have to stay in this house for a few years now