Broadfork

Research into soil health is increasingly telling us that the less we interfere with soil, the happier it is. A broadfork is the perfect tool to aerate and loosen soil, without turning it. This action preserves soil structure and increases soil biodiversity, allowing air, water and nutrients to penetrate to depth. Not only is it better for the soil, but it’s a helluvah lot less work than digging it up with a spade or garden fork. Your back will thank you too!

Key points

• 100% locally designed and manufactured
• Heavy duty ‘business end’ with 5 angled high-carbon steel tines
• Head width 700mm (effective for standard 75cm market garden beds)
• 130cm handles made from selected heartwood of FSC-certified saligna (Eucalyptus saligna, classified an invasive species in South Africa), and finished with eco-friendly ProNature Outdoor Wood Sealer.
• Assembly required (screws, nuts and instructions provided)
• Free shipping

*Warranty
We offer a 2-year guarantee on manufacture faults on the metal head. Our broadforks are made for heavy use, but they are not indestructible. The repair warranty only applies to tools that have been properly used and cared for. The handles will also last if properly cared for and not abused, but replacement handles are available. Check out our blog on tool maintenance here.

How to use
A broadfork relies on body weight to sink the tines into the ground before pulling back on the handles. Leverage makes it easy to break open the soil while keeping it in place, which opens and aerates with minimum disturbance; therefor a no-till practice. Pull back to open the soil, push forward and then pull out. Step back, line up the tines about 20 cm back from the last entry point and repeat, making sure to keep your feet well away from the tines. Moving backwards means you are not standing on the ground you have just decompacted. As you go, the worked ground should look as if a pack of moles have had a party under it, without making any molehills. The action of broadforking is a great ergonomic upper body workout for the arms, shoulders and back, with the back staying upright and straight through the range of motions. But most importantly, it is a fun and satisfying action, almost like playing on an adult jungle gym. Just like a rake, never leave your broadfork lying on the ground with the tines upwards. The easiest is simply to push it into the ground and leave it standing upright or lean it against a wall. Gloves are advised, unless you are looking for the calloused, rugged look.

Learn more at our broadfork blog.

Description
The business end is made of a 700mm long thick walled cross bar 38mm in diameter onto which are welded 5 profile cut tines, angled for easy penetration into the soil. We find that the round foot-bar provides a more comfortable surface for your feet than a square bar. Welded to the foot-bar are two upright round pipes 300mm long that the handles slot into. The saligna handles are selected from more durable heartwood, turned to fit, and hand sanded and sealed for a smooth, long lasting and aesthetic finish.

Random Fact: The broadfork, or ‘grelinette’, was first created by Msr. André Grelin in France in the 1950s. Vive la broadfork!

Handles: 130cm
Tines: 20cm
Width: 70cm (Standard market garden width)