General Chat

My new friend Grace lent me a fantastic tool yesterday. I went to Homebase this morning, but couldn't find one :-( Now I want to look on t'internet, but dunno what it's called! It's exactly like a spade, except the shovel part is at right angles to the handle, instead of going straight on. You use it almost like a pickaxe, picking it up in front and letting it chop down into the earth to cut off roots and pull them up. If anyone can name it, or find one, I would be eternally grateful !! Have only popped on for a min to post this, but will be back later tonight. Thank you!! Maz. XX

Hi Maz :):) Is this the sort of thing you are after, its been a long time since we had an allotment :) http://www.get-digging.co(.)uk/ Colin :):)

Was it a hoe by any chance? http://images.google(.)co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.oldhouseweb.com/gardening/bitmaps/790/righttools.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.oldhouseweb.com/gardening/Detailed/790.shtml&h=542&w=383&sz=36&tbnid=7Em8vTwghKrrfM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=93&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgarden%2Btools%2Bpictures&start=3&sa=X&oi=images&ct=image&cd=3 Yes, I know it's a bit long lol but if you c&p it into the addy bar then it should take you to a page where, if you scroll down there is a picture of 5 tools, the hoe being one of them. Alternatively someone who knows what they're talking about might answer this thread lol.

Julie :):):):):) All I remember of ours is the bad backs and the lovely taste of fresh veggies and salad :):) Colin :):)

Lynda :):) I will keep my eye out for one near the allotments by us :) I would have offered myself but Im 25 years too late lol Colin :):)

You will either find it in a hardware shop or garden centre and depending where you live it is known by different names. Very useful tool.

Maz Theres one(head only) on Ebay offered by gluebucket.item No 200088809003.Starting bid £4-95.then just by a pickaxe handle. Suexxxxxxxxxx

It's an azada! We have two and they take the bad back out of digging. I love using mine, I can dig vast areas in no time. Louise

Screwfix*com do the tool you want. Mattocks £18-99 delivery next day.Knew I had ssen then some where Suexxxxxxxx

Colin :-) The fresh veggies and salads sound great, supermarket one's seem so tasteless at times. Have to admit I like Lynda's idea best lol

My favourite garden tool is my swoe. Brilliant for weeding. Sue

Julie :):) You are definitely right, supermarket veggies are so bland compared to freshly grown :) My mouths almost watering at the thought of fresh onions or new potatoes, swede, sweetcorn or new peas fresh from the pod :):) Those were the days :):) Maz :):) The alternative to buying digging tools is to make an anonymous phone call to the local police and tell them the proceeds of a bank robbery are hidden in the plot you have, they will send round at least a dozen guys in white suits to dig it all up for you lol Colin :):)

Maz good luck with your allotment. I went and had a look at your photos ..... would it be possible to hire a small rotovator to give you a good start? It looks as if a lot of hard work will be needed. Well worth it though when you are picking your home grown cops. Beryl x

my favourite answers so far .... Lynda's ... does anyone know a handsome gardener for hire?? pmsl Colin's ... fit policeman digging :-)) so it's an adze (sp?) or a mattock !! Thank you everyone :-)) Maz. XX

Definitely a mattock. An adze is for carving wood, eg if you wanted to make a canoe from a tree trunk LOL Keith

thank you Keith :-) hopefully I can find one now! Maz. XX

not from Argos Homebase B and Q Focus Do it all will have to ring round local nurseries (well, not many of 'em in Walthamstow, but local-ish pmsl) Maz. XX

hi, i've just been reading this thread about mattock. is it safe for accident prone people? Joanne

Joanne - it's not sharp like an axe, but would give you a nasty bruise on the foot I expect if you whacked yerself with it lol even through wellies! but it has a long handle, so unless you have HUGE feet, you should be ok !! Maz. XX

Maz, it sounds perfect for my clay based garden. My only worry was I might accidentally chop my foot off. Think I will go and look for one too. Joanne