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Burton, Ohio

I think I'm going to invest in a broadfork but laying out that kind of cash, I want to get the right one. So far Ive looked at the Grelinette from Red Pig Tools, Johnnys Selected Seeds has 4 sizes, the Vashon Broadfork and the Gulland Forge Broadfork. I'm leaning toward the Gulland Forge one because you can get 12", 14" or 16" tines. Most have 9" or 10" tines. Does anyone have one and what are the pros and cons on it? What other makes and models are there? Thanks for any feedback.

1/7/2010 5:50:44 PM

Riverton, WY

I have about 1200 sq ft of veggie garden beds that I have used a broadfork on every year for about the last 15 years. Except for one fall tilling, it is also the only tool I've used on 1700 sq ft of pumpkin patch the last 9 years.

I believe the following is a link to a review of the one I have been using all those years. I believe the key to durability and ease of use (as described in Elliot Coleman's book) is the tines go through the square horozontal bar paralell to the ground, and then bend towards the ground about 2" behind the bar. As I recall, the bend in the tines behind the bar give you more leverage for loosening the soil. Email me at [email protected] & I'll try to elaborate more if you would like.

http://www.epinions.com/review/Johnny_s_520_Broadfork_9677_epi/content_421780885124

1/7/2010 7:36:05 PM

Ohio

Im think shazzy bought himself one for Christmas this year

1/7/2010 8:30:16 PM

Antigonish,Nova Scotia,Canada

I'll phone Bobby's Tap and ask him!!!!....lol

1/7/2010 8:52:02 PM

Ohio

hahahaha I wouldnt Bill, hes probably playing darts right now and I might mess the roll hes on if he has to take a break and answer the phone,,lol

1/7/2010 9:02:56 PM

Sequim, WA

Mr. D, Get some info on the auctions in Wayne and Holmes counties. See if you can find a used one at a farm auction.... maybe one of the Amish farms. You might be able to get one thats older than you and will outlast you too. KIKO auctions lists a lot of things in the chattels of the farm and estate auctions they hold. Maybe you can find one there.

1/8/2010 1:28:01 AM

Rhode Island

we used one in 2008 and with good success. it does a great job and requires very little work.
we used it around the outside of our plants several times that year.
did not use in 2009 because our soil was a bit more loose then in 2008.
a great tool.

1/8/2010 6:28:27 AM

Belmont, NH

Last winter I searched around looking at the differant designs available. I felt that the ones made at Gulland Forge were the best that I had seen. I was able to make my own fork from that basic design. It is easier and quicker to use than you might expect. They do a good job at what they are meant to do. They do not till the soil but break and loosen it keeping the soil profile in place. This allows air and moisture to go deeper into the soil naturally.

1/8/2010 6:58:44 AM

Ohio

Good idea Tiller, never though of that. Im sure they will be easy to find around my area with all the amish we have around here, and probably for half the cost.

1/8/2010 7:18:04 AM

Ohio

http://www.youtube.com/user/GullandForge

1/8/2010 7:43:32 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

I want one, and have been checking prices the last few days. Wow... $200 for something that, well it has one more handle than a shovel. It ought to be $50 tops......... It looks like a great tool and I hope to find a reasonable deal on one.

1/8/2010 9:58:10 AM

Western NY

5 tine pitchfork here

1/8/2010 11:02:33 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Yeah, this is something which is handcrafted by individuals. The $200 price is real... and would not come down until it's mass produced. The Gulland looks great. The fellow has sold around 100 total so far.

1/8/2010 11:08:18 AM

Belmont, NH

I use the broadfork as an overall thing but when I bury the vines I use a smaller 5 tines pitchfork. Much easier to use around other vines and close quarters. The Gulland Forge forks are around $200 but then they are all hand made. Check out the web site and he will take you thru the whole process. His tines are garranteed. They are not all that hard to make and for that I thank my dad for having the supplies I needed and the welder. I used all heavy walled material for strength.

I double dig my planting holes and use the broadfork on the bottom layer to loosen everything underneath the plant.

1/8/2010 12:31:08 PM

Georgetown, Ontario

http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=10521&cat=2,42578,40769&ap=1

1/8/2010 4:41:12 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

I have the one from lee valley and it works great

1/8/2010 5:12:33 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

If you go on Ebay and search for broadfork, there are absolutely no matches!

This is a market that is begging to be satisfied...

The one from Lee Valley looks good.

1/8/2010 5:31:14 PM

Joliet, IL

lol brooks...i played some wicked darts last night for sure...i bought the johnnys select seeds biggest one they made. i forgot how many tines it has and is still in the package.
http://www.johnnyseeds.com/c-469-broadforks.aspx

i am going to use it a lot this year after moving walking boards. i will tell you for the backyard gardener without a tractor, the "deep spader" breaks up the hardpan subsoil nicely. you are in for a workout and should really only do smaller areas at a time. it is heavy, but with practice is pretty easy when get the hang of it and you let the leverage of the tool and your weight do the work to lift and break up the soil. i pay a friends nephew to break his back to do it cuz i am fat and lazy and that would cut into my valuable barstool time. lol.

http://www.groworganic.com/item_GDO500_Deep_Spader.html?welcome=T&theses=6520593
http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/articles/essential-tools-working-soil.aspx

1/8/2010 7:46:04 PM

Ontario

I've been using the Lee Valley broadfork for about 10 years now. It is without a doubt the best constructed and durable tool that I have ever used.

1/8/2010 8:48:23 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Good posting Mr. D and nice link Brooks. $119 from Lee Valley looks like a good buy!

How long would it take to turn 1000 sq ft Chris?

1/8/2010 8:53:43 PM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

My understanding is that you dont use the broadfork to "turn" the soil, instead you rock the fork back and forth to loosen it.

1/8/2010 11:42:26 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

OK...how long do you figure it would take to "loosen" the soil using a broadfork in 1000 sq ft?

1/9/2010 12:53:07 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

Depending on how fast you want to work, half hour to an hour

1/9/2010 3:17:43 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Thanks George.

1/9/2010 4:55:25 PM

43.841677 , -79.086692

I will be adding this tool to my arsenal for sure. I had a good look @ the LeeValley version and it looks well made. Combine that with their no hassle replacement, return policy its a no loose to try it.

1/18/2010 8:37:23 PM