How to Use a Cultivating Fork

There are just some tools for which there are no substitutes. A cultivating fork, sometimes called a spading fork, is one of them. Here are some uses for this tool, which looks like a pitchfork with wider tines and a shorter handle.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cultivators & Forks

1. Use a cultivating fork to turn compacted soil. The tines dig into the soil, and the broad top is easy to stand on with your foot to provide additional motivation for the soil to open.

2. Incorporate organic compost, manure or other amendments into the soil with a cultivating fork. Once compacted soil has been opened, use the fork to stir in the additives.

3. Turn the compost pile with a cultivating fork. The short handle makes lifting heavy plant material much easier.

4. Dig bulbs from a garden bed with a cultivating fork. After bulbs have finished blooming and the foliage dies back, dig them from the bed with the fork. Unlike a shovel, which may slice and damage the bulbs, a cultivating fork will loosen the soil so that the bulbs seem to pop to the surface.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a cultivating fork instead of a shovel in rocky soil. You can lift and remove the stones as they appear on the surface.

[bajanmama]

on 5/23/2007 what tool removes lawn

on 11/22/2005 Using a pickaxe first can make tilling soil with a garden fork easier. The pickaxe will break up some plant roots, which would otherwise make it more difficult to turn soil with a cultivating fork.