The TABOR TOOLS J59A Steel Shaft Digging Fork is as capital as its manufacturer’s name. This particular pitchfork features four tines with blunt edges, a high carbon steel head, and a welded steel shaft.

This garden fork includes some thoughtful design features, too. The ergonomic handle, for example, features a D-shaped grip with small ripples. This grip is designed to keep your wrist in a neutral position, which will help reduce stress and increase comfort when you have a lot of work to do in the garden. But the bottom line is that there are so many variations between forks, and so much overlap between them, that the standard classifications of different forks have blurred quite a bit. tines make it easy to lift, turn, and spread loose material like grass, hay, weeds, leaves, compost and other garden waste. The potato fork is designed to specifically lift potatoes from the ground. The tines aren’t sharp at all since it isn’t meant to dig holes. In fact, potato forks are purposely built with dull tines so that you won’t puncture a potato. A T-bar handle can make it easier to screw a corkscrew aerator into the compost, especially if the organic matter is heavily compacted. It also allows you to use both hands to pull out the aerator.Digging fork – A cousin of the garden fork, the digging fork (also known as the spading fork) is used for digging or turning over lighter soil types and for harvesting root vegetables. Like garden forks, digging forks most commonly have four tines.

At 1 m, it’s a little shorter than the Dolmen aerator featured on this list, so it’s better suited to slightly smaller composting bins. In larger bins it’ll likely be difficult to turn the compost access the compost at the bottom, plus it’s best if you can use this aerator whilst standing over it, instead of at a side angle. The steel shaft that makes it stronger also makes it heavier than some other forks with a wood or fiberglass shaft.

Can compost burn plants?

After researching a variety of garden forks for different gardening tasks, we chose the Roamwild Multi-Digger Spading Fork as the overall best garden fork because it features an innovative head that helps break up clumps of soil and a dual handle that gives you more places to grip and better control. All of the above forks are used while standing upright. Hand forks are designed for times when you want to work close to the ground. These small forks are held in one hand and are better for smaller, more detailed tasks. Purchasing a Gardening Fork The reason you have to smash up the bottom spirals like that is you need something that "grabs" the compost at the bottom of the bin. With the loose spirals nothing catches in them so you're just aerating the compost, not turning it. Depending on the environment you’re working in, a long shaft can make maneuvering a challenge. Shorter shafts are great for those who are on the short side, as well as for those who are working in enclosed areas like compost bins and heaps. The best location for a compost bin is a sheltered spot in partialor full shade, to avoid extremes of temperature and moisture. The micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) that convert the waste into compost work best in constant conditions. So if you have an under-used shady corner in your garden, a compost bin will turn it into a productive hub. Just make sure you can get to the bin easily, otherwise you won’t use it regularly.

It features 10 tines on the head which are positioned closely together so that material doesn’t fall through the openings between the tines. Working in smaller sections is a good way to get a corkscrew aerator through denser compost. Plunger Aerators Corkscrew aerators are twisted into the compost then pulled out. This creates air and spreads moisture evenly, the compost that was at the bottom ends up on top.The Ames Companies, Inc. 2812300 True Temper Manure Fork (The Ames Companies, Inc. 2812300) is a high-quality pitchfork for regular yard work and composting. It comes in two different designs, one with five tines and one with six. The pitchfork is yellow and gray and possesses an oval steel head as well as cushioned grip for an easy hold. The shaft is made of hardwood but possesses no handle or other location to rest the hands, meaning individuals need to grasp the shaft. weeks ago I went to a small talk on composting. I already know a fair amount about composting (hot composting is my favourite method and can be completed in 1-2 months which you can read about in this post here but I figured you can always learn something new from any kind of course. Betty taught me that. Actually Betty manages to work that into pretty much any conversation. The weight of your compost fork should also be taken into account. If you typically spend your days building muscle in the gym, a heavier compost fork may well do you! If you struggle with heavy weights, look for a lightweight alternative. Caring for Your Fork Just be aware that this product is on the heavier side, weighing 5.35 lbs. Additionally, it has a fairly long shaft at 40 in, which may make it a challenge to use in tight quarters like a Redmon Compost bin. The Bottom Line At first glance, the Radius Garden 20311 Ergonomic Digging Fork is an excellent choice for many uses (it is our favorite Heavy Duty Garden Fork), but it’s not our favorite compost or manure fork. The tine design isn’t ideal for compost or manure work, and the weight is not insignificant, given the size of the fork.