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Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 3:44 pm
by Johnny_D
I know this sounds stupid, but has anyone got any good tips for excavating soil? It seems to be the hardest thing in the world and takes up half my time doing my garden. Not looking for an easy way out, but I must bo doing something wrong.
Should I use a pick axe to break up the soil first, a fork? Just seems impossible to do anything major when shovelling.
Sorry for the real novice question, but I really am a novice!
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 4:36 pm
by Ian CHP
As daft as it sounds, you are not alone, it is a refined art. Just a few tips, decent work boots, you cant dig in trainers or flip flops, a quality tapered shovel or spade (I use the 'faithful' variety, the red ones) make sure its clean and rust free.
Then think about your posture, don't dig too far away from yourself, ensure you have a decent footing on the ground and if your filling a barrow again have it within easy distance. Last but not least, determination, don't give up, every shovel full is a shovel full less 
Posted: Fri Jul 21, 2006 11:47 pm
by carlbeardsmore
Depending on how much you have to do.... Hire a mini digger. After the first time you use one, you will never want to dig by hand again.
I even use mine to fill a barrow, you get that lazy.
Posted: Sat Jul 22, 2006 9:39 am
by Johnny_D
thanks for the help. Its not a large area so a digger is a bit overkill, although it does sound tempting:)
Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 11:22 am
by Biffo17
Hi , been there , Big time im in a victorian terraced house with only a 3 foot entry for access
When I dug uot the ground for the paving ,i had to barrow the lot about 500 metres to the skip. 9 skips later I was done !! And then barrow 8 tonn hardcore 5 tonn sand then the blocks !!!
ITS TOUGH !!!!
lost 4 stone in doing it
all the
best Biffo
Posted: Sun Jul 23, 2006 8:19 pm
by Johnny_D
cheers for the tips guys. I bought a new spade today, a wilkinson sword one from B&Q. I can't beleive what a difference it made. I cleared more today in 2 hours than I had in the last 2 days. Amazing what the right tool for the job can do! Thank's for the advice on good boots as well, the shovel had a good step on top of the blade and some stiff soled wellies made it really easy to get some weight on it.
Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:41 pm
by Dave_L
Biffo17 wrote:,i had to barrow the lot about 500 metres to the skip. 9 skips later I was done !! And then barrow 8 tonn hardcore 5 tonn sand then the blocks !!!
ITS TOUGH !!!!
lost 4 stone in doing it
I know how you feel, I barrowed 13 tonnes of tarmac today, a little tired now!
Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 6:36 pm
by dig dug dan
Barrowing? those days are gone. Even with a 2' 6" doorway.
You need one of these.!skiploader Its the best piece of kit I ever brought!