Allotments 4 All

My hoe arrived yesterday. I used it to dig out a bed and while it was definately quicker and less effort than a spade, it gave me back ache--which is what they are famed for not doing! I think my problem thouugh is that I am 6'5" and teh handle is a tad too short.

It made quick work of the nettles patch that is going under my new patio too, and dug a trench in record time.

I agree and I'm only 5'3" but it does chop stuff up well and you can use it to crush the sods if they're not too hard  :)

Wardy,

I had a look on your link but could not find the chillington hoe.

Where is it?

Debs

Right!  Found it Debs  :)    go to the web page (see below)  then you can either put the product code in which is GT52 or it's under contractors' tools

Good hunting  :)   I searched for hoe and nothing came up but after a bit of searching found it ok
:)

I strongly recommend the chillington hoe/ mattock / whatever other local name.

I have a bad back and before I could only dig a small area at a time, now I can easily cover areas 20' X 10' without a tinge.

Also find myself using it for everything, planting, weeding earthing up etc.

Even invested in some linseed oil for it so it must be love.

Got mine from get-digging.co.uk about £25 but theyre solid agricultural ones from portugal I think.

Adrian

They are only just over a tenner delivered from Toolshop direct  :)

Wardy,

I have just ordered myself one  :)

Debs

Yes the tool shop direct one is the same kind of thing just less substantial, a good starting point to see if you like it .

I think once you get the technque these things are invaluable.

Quote from: plotofweeds on August 11, 2005, 11:45:30
Yes the tool shop direct one is the same kind of thing just less substantial, a good starting point to see if you like it .

I think once you get the technque these things are invaluable.

What is the 'technique' I found when digging it hurt my back. Maybe I need to get a longer handle, though I have no idea where to get one.

Hey hey Debs.  It'll be delivered either by tomorrow I bet!  My brother had a go with mine and he really liked it so he got one as well.

My old man is about 6' 2" and he says he could do with a longer handled one but it's good for me as I'm only 5'3"  I would have though that longer handles could be got from the same place  :)

I hope you get on with it ok Debs.  Don't forget you can crush sods as well as hitting them with it (that's if they're not too dry)  :)  As I've a dodgy back I find it less painful to press down and crush the sods rather than lifting the hoe and hitting it.  You devise all sorts of techniques when needs must  :)

Quote from: wardy on August 11, 2005, 15:13:07

  Don't forget you can crush sods as well as hitting them with it (that's if they're not too dry)  :) 

Do you mean snails    ;D

Tee hee  ;D

The day I posted my question I got seriously busy and have only just managed to get back to the forum.

Thank you for all your replies..I reckon I am going to go for one..I will go and see David, the Carribean chappie, on the lottie as he uses one all the time...see if I can get lessons.

Derek

Good for you  :)

Please can I join the gang? Just ordered one - thanks for the link and the inspiration Wardy.

I have been using mine today, and I have to say I seem to have got away from the back strain, I have been letting the weight of the hoe do the work, and cutting in with one edge leading.

The soil I was moving today I couldn't get a spade into at all, so compacted was it.

Wardy,

I have plenty of sods I'd like to crush... ;D

wolf tools rock!
:)

Great stuff folks  :)  I can imagine you all smacking great big sods with ferocity, imagining it's your worst enemy taking a bashing.  Good therapy  ;D

I'll be gently pressing down on mine, apologising  :) My back is awful at the mo so still no dig policy in force on Wardy Acres  :)

It's arrived this morning and now I want to try it out, but must walk

dog and husband first ( or should that read "with" husband  ;D )

Debs