Digging.

Bigbad | 10:12 Mon 30th Sep 2019 | Home & Garden

19 Answers

In my garden, there is an area approx 12 feet x 12 feet which had some tall overgrown plants on it (I don’t know what they were, but the stems were thick and quite ‘cane’ like).
I managed to chop them down, and I thought I would try digging the roots up after the recent heavy rain. I couldn’t get the spade in more than a few inches, and the plants are so dense, there is no room for getting in-between. I had no problem digging the wet soil in other parts of the garden.
I’ve bought a lot of garden tools recently, some good, but others, because of my gardening ignorance, have been the wrong tool for the job, and a waste of money.

Any suggestions as to what I could buy to dig up these whatever-they are’s?

Thanks.

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whistonian

A pick comes to mind.

bhg481

A fork is often easier than a spade in those circumstances as the tynes will go in to full depth between the roots where a spade won't penetrate.

whistonian

Maybe with a Buldog Mattock head.

Bigbad

Question Author

I had to look that up whistonian.
I’m a gardening ignoramus, and not particularly strong. I think I would fear for my feet if I used that!

whistonian

Looks like it will have to be a gardening fork then Bigbad.

maggiebee

Agree with the others who have mentioned a fork. Much easier to work between roots than a spade. You can double dig with a spade once all the roots have been removed.

Bigbad

Question Author

Thanks everyone.
I’ve had a quick look for forks on Amazon, and some reviews say the prongs bend and break really easily.
Any recommendations for a good one?
I’m off out soon, perhaps I should do a detour to my nearest B & Q.

maggiebee

Don't buy a cheap fork, it's a false economy as the prongs do indeed bend. Buy the best you can afford. I'm still using my dad's fork which is at least 70 years old and in perfect order. Have a wee look online before you decide.

woofgang

do you know if the plants were perennials? and do you need to clear the ground now? In similar circs, I have left the chopped down plants in situ over the winter and let the roots rot down, then they are much easier to pull or dig out. Alternatively rent a rotavator?

Bigbad

Question Author

I think everything in that overgrown mess of a garden is perennial.
I suppose I don’t need to clear the area now, but I’d certainly like to.
That lopper from my previous garden post

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Home-and-Garden/Question1673112.html

has been an absolute godsend, though.

Chipchopper

A stainless steel border fork might be a good choice.

Hope its not the dreaded Japanese knotweed that you're trying to tackle, if so, good luck!

Bigbad

Question Author

I bought the house a couple of months ago, Chipchopper, and on the forms the previous owner had filled in, she’d ticked the “no” box for “is there any Japanese knotweed.”
I can only describe it as looking like pampas grass but without the feathery bits. There were frond-like things growing from it.
Because it’s all in one section, I’m guessing that it was planted deliberately, and not some sort of invasion.

Off out now, but thanks again for all the answers.

The Builder

Rent a mini-digger, Bigbad.
Nothing better for turning over a garden ;o)

Old_Geezer

Could you get away with putting path weedkiller over the area and checking again next year ? Roots might still be an issue, but less of one if the plant's dead.

Chipchopper

I'm glad that Japanese knotweed has been ruled out Bigbad.
Sounds like its some form of ornamental grass, someone had planted and hopefully it should'nt be too difficult to dig out.

Bigbad

Question Author

So, I went to B & Q. I had a choice of 5:
1 border fork, which I thought was too cheap, 2 full size, also maybe too cheap, 1 which was too heavy, so I bought this one:

https://www.diy.com/departments/fiskars-ergonomic-fork-l-1230mm/6411501350985_BQ.prd

What do you think?

TonyV

Looks as though it has steel handle / shaft which is a plus. Also long handle which will make it a it easier to use. If you are in no particular rush I would cover in black plastic over winter and start cultivating in early spring.