Buy a pitchfork: increase your comfort and soil health

Want to prepare your garden for a new season, but tired of the hard work of digging? Then buying a spading fork is a sustainable choice. A spading fork, also called a grelinette, breaks up the soil without digging. Unlike traditional tilling, which often requires turning over the entire garden, a spading fork works quickly and efficiently. Working with a spading fork is less strenuous on the body and allows you to work with a straight back. The spading fork is specially designed for comfortable and fast gardening. Whether you're an experienced gardener or just starting out, a spading fork is easy to use and contributes to healthy soil. You can loosen up to 100m² of garden space with a spading fork in an hour, making it a very efficient choice.

What is a pitchfork?

A pitchfork is a handheld tool that loosens soil with multiple tines. The bottom of the pitchfork is equipped with curved tines for added effectiveness. You press the tines vertically into the soil, place your foot on the platform, and pull the handle toward you. The handles of the pitchfork are often made of ash wood; the wooden handle provides strength and comfort while working. A pitchfork consists of a horizontal crossbar with multiple sharp tines and two U-shaped handles. The pitchfork has two handles, which provides better control and less strain. The pitchfork is made of durable material, contributing to its durability. This allows you to break up the soil without turning it over, preserving the topsoil and soil life. Even heavier or clayey soil can be loosened, especially with models equipped with a crumbler.

Benefits of a pitchfork for soil life and it works quickly

• Soil life protection – ideal for tilling the soil without damaging or disturbing soil life; soil structure and micro-organisms remain intact
• Suitable for heavy clay soil and clay soils – thanks to the sturdy material, you can effectively work heavy clay soil, clay soil and clay with the pitchfork
• Enriches the soil – the spading fork loosens the top layer of soil and enriches it with organic matter and nutrients, which is beneficial for plants
• Difference from ploughing – the tiller loosens the soil without turning or damaging it, unlike traditional ploughing
• Efficiently cultivate growing beds – with a tilling fork you can cultivate growing beds efficiently and leave the soil structure intact
• Less physical effort – the leverage effect reduces physical strain
• Faster, cleaner tillage – clods are broken, soil is airy and moist, which improves nutrient uptake by plants

Ergonomic options for extra comfort

Your back will thank you if you choose an ergonomic two-handled spading fork. We all know the feeling: after an afternoon in the vegetable garden, you still feel that aching back the next day. With such a handy spading fork, you simply work upright, like you're using a walking stick, but much more practical. Instead of having to hunch your back with a regular handle, you simply give yourself two sturdy handles to grip. Especially when dealing with stubborn clay soil (you know, the kind that feels like it's made of concrete), a wide grelinette with long tines is a real godsend. Those tines penetrate deep into the ground, and before you know it, you've loosened a large section of soil without having to lift or pry like a madman. The beauty is that your body can simply stay relaxed while you're still working. Proper posture while gardening helps prevent injuries. This way, you can enjoy your time in the garden for much longer without groaning like an old door the next day.

Application in heavy soil

You probably know it: that heavy clay soil that feels so stubborn you almost need a shovel to break through it. That's where the spading fork really is your best friend! Instead of traditional digging, where you turn everything upside down (and really disturb all the little creatures in the soil), this clever fork works very differently. You simply press the tines vertically into the soil and loosen everything nicely without disturbing the topsoil. It's actually quite handy—the air can circulate, all the microorganisms keep working happily, and your vegetable garden will only become healthier. By loosening the soil without turning it over, that beautiful soil structure remains intact, and your plants can spread their roots freely. And the best part: all that life in the soil stays where it belongs, making your garden increasingly more diverse. Soil life, such as worms, contributes to the aeration of the soil. A truly useful tool if you have heavy soil and also want to take good care of what's happening below the surface.

Which type of pitchfork is suitable for heavy clay soil?

• Ergonomic pitchfork – 5 tines Depypere – compact and ideal for light soil or greenhouses
• Plough fork with crumbler – combines aerating and crumbling in one movement
• Compact L-profile pitchfork – sturdy ergonomics with L-handles, perfect for frequent use
• A wide grelinette with a wide working width – perfect for larger beds and heavy soil, without lifting. A good tiller is essential: choose a model designed for efficient work, made of durable materials, and suitable for intensive use.

Who is an ergonomic pitchfork suitable for?

Whether you are cultivating twenty or five hundred square meters, a pitchfork is ideal for these groups:

• People with back problems or physical limitations
• Enthusiasts of organic and permaculture methods
• Anyone who wants to work efficiently in a vegetable garden, ornamental garden or lawn
• Gardeners who want to create and prepare a new vegetable garden, for example by removing weeds, loosening the soil and adding compost

Usage tips for optimal results

1. Work on slightly moist soil
2. Keep the teeth straight and press them in deep enough
3. Place your foot on the platform and pull with your body weight
4. Pull one smooth motion straight back
5. Soil in patterned rows and overlap for even aeration

Spring is the ideal time to till the soil with a spading fork, as it helps loosen the soil and protects soil life. A spading fork allows you to efficiently till the growing beds without damaging the paths. By not turning the soil, you prevent weed seeds from surfacing, thus limiting weed growth.

After turning, you can add compost or mulch and spread the topsoil evenly.

Choose the right pitchfork at Plukkers

• Ergonomic pitchfork – 5 tines Depypere – compact and ideal for light soil or greenhouses
• Plough fork with crumbler – combines aerating and crumbling in one movement
• Compact L-profile pitchfork – sturdy ergonomics with L-handles, perfect for frequent use

Sustainable investing

A pitchfork is a one-time purchase, and it lasts for years thanks to its galvanized steel and robust construction. This saves you time, back energy, and money.

In summary

Buying a garden fork means choosing simplicity, healthy gardening, and comfort. You'll work more efficiently, contribute to biodiversity, and protect your back. Find the model that suits your garden and get started with enjoyment!