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Buffalo, New York

As a few of you are aware, I recently ordered a Broadfork online and since I had many other growers emailing/asking me about it in the chat room, I thought I would write my own personal review on it.

Be aware I had never held or seen a broadfork in person before recieving mine yesterday, so I can't compare it to the more expensive broadforks out there.

I personally feel the 1/2" tines are made pretty rugged. They are pretty heavy anchored to the square rectangular cross member. I feel the wooden handles are somewhat light (may be a good thing) but with only 1 bolt holding them in place, mine seem to be slightly loose when tightened down. I did wrap some tape around where they slide into the pipes to help tighten them up alittle but once i put it in the dirt and pulled on them slightly to sink the tines in, they are still somewhat loose. I have noticed online other broadforks are anchored by 2 bolts in each handle. I may decide to do some drilling and install another bolt per handle in the future depending on how it works in the next week or 2.

This was the only fork I could find with 14" long tines. This one has (7) tines total.

I tried it earlier in a somewhat wet garden and it definately went down 14" with my weight on it and working it alittle.

For $61.99 and New York sales tax, i paid about $67 for her. Free Shipping was a huge plus!!!!

I couldnt see spending $150+ for other shorter tine broadforks as I have clay 8-10" down in some areas of my patch.

So for all you who live in the city like I do, or dont have access to getting a subsoiler/plow in your patch....you may want to consider this.

These are suppose to be alot of work, but Im up for the challenge!!!

Here is the site I got mine from, cheapest I could find it:

http://hometownusastores.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=16&products_id=1599

5/4/2011 9:00:52 AM

Dummer Twp - Ontario

I also bought a broadfork this year but from Lee Valley Tools and it has 10" forks and made of quite heavy tubular ushape frame. I'm a fairly heavy guy and it has held up so far with me wrenching on it. If you want shoulders like superman then this is your tool. If you feel it stuff on a rock then you need to stop as it will bend the individual tine. I bent one but it was easy to bend it back to original setting. I've opted for this approach rather than the till the crap out of it approach to see if I can see a difference in my outcome at the end of the year. I know some Heavy hitters that use these types of forks so why not give it a try.

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

5/4/2011 12:56:13 PM

South Hero, VT

I bought the sturdiest, heavy-duty broadfork I could find from Meadow Creatures(http://meadowcreature.com/broadfork.php).

Fewer tines(16 inches long)but with a lifetime guarantee and just what I need to work the hardpan under 10 inches of decent soil. Rocks don't stand a chance.

Just what I need to help improve my soil.

See my diary for a pic.

5/4/2011 7:10:34 PM

Rhode Island

a broadfork is a tremendous tool especially if your have a garden that packs down easily.( heavy clay,etc)

we use it around the outer edges of the plant mid to late season a couple times if we feel more air introduced into the soil is needed.

sandy soils would not require as much hand forking

5/5/2011 9:17:23 AM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

I started using a broadfork last year. I worked it ahead of the vines and really liked the results. I would also "inject" goodies down the holes that the fork would leave.

5/5/2011 12:06:20 PM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

I started using a broadfork last year. I worked it ahead of the vines and really liked the results. I would also "inject" goodies down the holes that the fork would leave.

5/5/2011 12:06:56 PM