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Hi All,

I have a bit of a rough and lumpy allotment which i need to clear a.s.a.p.
I have been having a look at this http://www.get-digging.co.uk/
Has anyone used one? Are they worth it? I am very tempted to get one.
Also, any advice on using one would be welcome.

Cheers.

well, i took the plunge and bought a medium heavy azada. I will let you know how it goes.
Hopefully it will mean i cand dig some new beds super fast, and get the foundation
in for my new greenhouse which arives on saturday i just hope the lancashire weather is
going to be kind to me.

I used something similar for starting off two different allotments - similar long handle and similar tool angle, but with a four-prong, wide-pronged fork. I always had a hammer or big stone handy for whacking the prongs back into alignment after I'd hit a submerged stone. You shouldn't have that problem.

The handle length and tool angle are really really good for breaking up soil to a good depth, as well as for digging deep holes. Once you've got your allotment started though, I predict that you'll want something more delicate for the next set of tasks. The handle on my big fork broke a while ago, and I haven't seen the need to replace it.

Hi Rod,

thanks for that. I have a range of spades, forks, and other bits and bats. However,
none of them seemed quite up to the job somehow. I intend to turn over the ground
with the azada and then single dig it over with spades and the fork.

The same tool - essentially a digging hoe - has been made and exported for years by the Chillington Tool Company. You can buy their Crocodile brand digging or trenching hoes online - http://www.chillingtontoolsonline.co.uk. I bought one in the autumn in advance of digging over new veg beds this spring.

How have you found the tool wookie? Mine hasn't arrived yet. Looking
forward to getting stuck in with it though.

Azadas are brilliant, I forget how good they are, but if you go back to a spade/fork afterwards, you soon notice the difference (to your back, mainly).

A mattock is a brillient tool, but remember, if you're not used to one, take it easy for it will kill your back just as bad as a spade, and your wrists and arms will also take a battering. Five to ten minutes a day to start with is plenty.
Rob

Well, for the first time in ages i had a day all to myself at the lotty.
Well alone except for my friend the Azada. I had a mission today which was to
put in a base for my greenhouse. I had put some slabs down to mark the
area for the base to give me an idea of the hilly nightmare that i had to dig
over. i am talking serious lumps of grass and routes here.

Anyway, all i can say is the Azada made mince meat of them. It took me
3 hours to prep the ground for a 6 x 8 greenhouse (which once i had the hang of the tool, which took 25 mins was really easy) and lay the slabs for the base. Amazing
The sliced, dug, and did everything i pointed it at.

I was so happy i went back after lunch and cleared another area of about 4 ft by 12 ft,
again in record time. I don't think i could have done it with a spade or fork.

folks, if you have a plot that needs sorting out this is the tool for you.

I got hold of a Chillington Hoe with the crocodile stamp and they are very very good. The same place had some other brand and i can tell you there is no comparison between the 2, the Chillington Hoe type were far better. I was a bit dubious untill i tried them i have the Heavy duty digging hoe and the thing buries itself and turning the ground is so easy and i also have the Ridging hoe type and the speed you can do your jobs is twice as fast.

Have a look here about chillington hoes http://www.chillingtonhoes.com/ .....cant put the photo on sorry dont know how to.

Hi noodles. I have a fork/mattock which is a lovely tool to use!! The blade of the Azada looks alot bigger though. I usually use a big fork to loosen up the ground then use the mattock to chop the big clods really...

I hope you find it useful!

I am deeply passionate about my Azada, i use it for everything now. I recently loaned
it to a mate who is a long-time plot holder and she was converted instantly.

Yes these hoes are addictive arent they, once used you wont go back to your spade again.

Its a Pa, over here in Portugal everyone uses them, big ones small ones every size and shape, some with pointed bits one end for weeding , forks all kinds, you never see anyone with the 'english type' of tools at all, my neighbour told me the art of digging with one for hours on end (which is what they do) is to time the down stroke to the heartbeat.... the natural rythmn of your body, that way you dont tire yourself out to quick....