The broadfork is a favorite prick of mine ( and many farmers ) , and I find out myself engage it all over the farm . Last year I record youhow to choose the correct one for you , and this year I desire to help you maximize that purchase by utilize the broadfork in as many ways as potential .
Of naturally , the possibilities depend on the eccentric of boradfork you purchase . Plowing , for representative , will not be a good utilization of a lightweight broadfork that is designate to aerate . So , look at as you await over this list that the type off broadfork you purchase square off what you may do with it . I ’ve designate below which style broadfork is good for each task .
1. Aeration & Deep Tillage
territory aeration with the broadfork , often called “ deep plowland , ” can be done in the garden , in the plantation or anywhere you struggle with concretion and want fitter plants . Simply plunge the broadfork into the region you want to aerate , draw in it back slightly before take out it and repeat the process .
The goal here is not to flip over the grunge . You do not want to anguish the grime structure , only loosen it . You are trying to break up compaction and create a better environment for worms and root to get around . If you want the best carrots or parsnips or any deep - rooted craw such as tomatoes , soil aeration is a must .
Applicable Broadforks : best with lighter - weightiness but tough broadforks . Heavier broadforks can wear the user down .
2. Plowing
address is the bit of turning over filth or sod . I have address a quarter acre using a broadfork ( I was nine yr unseasoned ) , but it was difficult . I commend plowing in cartoon strip ( telephone strip horticulture ) , bequeath grass between the bed so you do n’t put work into address sphere where you wo n’t develop anything . That will save you nearly half the workplace .
To plow , wait until the soil is neither sozzled nor very dry . It must be right in the middle . Simply plunge the fork as far into the soil as possible , then pull back until the clod secrete itself . Next , use a shovel or your hands to switch the sward over . This is a bully team occupation . Two people can make it go quick .
Applicable Broadforks : Use only arduous or medium grievous duty broadforks for this , preferably with long tines . They must be tough to flip heavy turf .
3. Harvesting
The broadfork comes in handy for harvesting root crops such as potatoes , sweet potato , carrots and Pastinaca sativa . Use forethought to void damage the roots as you harvest ; this take just a niggling practice .
To reap with the broadfork , soak up the crotch into the ground a few inches from the crop . Pull back until the plant life is loose and pull it out . Avoid flipping the soil . One thing I really like about harvesting with the broadforks is the advantage of simultaneously air the soil . This job is better done as a team — one person plunges , the other pull the crop — but it can also be done solo .
Applicable Broadforks : Any broadfork will work for this so long as the soil is not too compacted . If it is , utilise a heavier broadfork . Also remember that the laboured the broadfork , the more it will break you out . So if you have a lot of harvesting , a lighter forking or even a small digging branching might be good .
4. Planting
Blueberries , braid , bulbs and all sorts of perennials require nicely disposed dirt . The broadfork is a dandy putz for live into a small arena of sod and working it up to the point of planting .
Simply choose an area you desire to found , plunge the fork into the soil and lick up the requisite amount of space . You might want to fully plow it — flick it over — in some cases , but you could also simply oxygenize around the planting spot and then mulch to a great extent to suppress weeds and grass .
Applicable Broadforks : Use only ponderous or medium - heavy tariff broadforks for this unless the soil is already loosened
