A vital tool for every gardener’s collection is a trusty garden fork. You'll use one for a variety of everyday garden chores thanks to their sharp tines, such as digging, raking up weeds and stones, landscaping, and aerating soil - the list of uses for this multi-purpose tool goes on and on.
What do you use a garden fork for?
If you have plenty of ground to cover in your garden when tending to plants and shrubs, you will need a garden fork to dig and rake.
The garden fork can be used loosening and lifting soil and they come in slightly differing styles depending on what exact use you want it for. Whether that is for your borders, larger garden spaces, or simple digging.
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What features to consider when buying a garden fork
The right garden fork should endure the test of time, so ensuring you pick a fork of high quality, that's durable and comfortable to use, will help you no end in the long run - and will save you money rather than buying replacement cheap ones after they fail you.
A high-quality garden fork should be indispensable as it will endure against the elements and not distort under the pressure of a heavy load, so it's important to check the materials used to assemble the fork are substantial. Although a garden fork is a crucial addition to every garden shed, you don’t necessarily need to pay a fortune to get a decent tool.
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What type of garden forks are there?
The type of fork you need depends on several factors, including the soil type in your garden or allotment, how tall you are, and what you'll be using it for. If your soil is rocky and dense, you'll need a sturdy fork.
The three main types of garden forks include:
Border fork - this is a smaller version of the traditional garden fork and does what it says on the tin. Usually with a smaller handle and thinner tines you can tend to smaller areas that don't need as much soil turning.
Garden fork- the main fork style for your garden these all feature longer handles with different strengths and bigger tines to really get into the nitty-gritty of your soil beds. They can take on heavier tasks like turning soil and digging up weeds.
Digging fork - similar in style to the garden fork, the digging fork is used more for lighter jobs and smaller areas that you need to dig in your garden.
Pitchforks - if you have a specialist garden or allotment area to tend to you may need to consider a pitchfork. The tines tend to be curved to make it easier to scoop up and turn materials like straw and hay. They are also sharper and can be used for cutting compost.
We've researched the market and compiled a list of our top garden fork buys, based on quality, durability and comfort to suit a range of different budgets.
The Best Garden Forks To Buy Today
1 of 6Spear and Jackson 1684NB Neverbend Carbon Border Fork
Combine the forged carbon steel head and socket with the weatherproofed hardwood shaft, you have yourself an attractive and very durable garden fork. The handle is tilted forward slightly in order to give a better digging angle. This is a border fork, so use it for maintaining your beds; its size means it's great for narrow areas; bear in mind that this isn't designed for rocky or chalky soil.
2 of 6Draper 83755 Extra Long Stainless Steel Garden Fork with Soft Grip
This extra long offering from Draper is ideal for gardeners 6 foot tall and over. The soft grip handle makes it very comfortable to use over an extend period, and its stainless steel frame makes it a sturdy and strong garden fork.
3 of 6Fiskars Spade Fork for Hard, Stoney Soils
Designed to deal with more testing terrains, this garden fork is a great choice if you will be loosening hard, stony soils. This fork has been designed to suit all body sizes as it is 122cm in length, and 1.66kg. Its lightweight nature and ergonomic design make for an easy digging tool.
4 of 6Amtech U1700 Digging Fork
This affordable offering from Amtech promises to be manufactured to their premium standards, assuring durability and will stand up against general wear and tear. A good option for those who are starting out in gardening.
5 of 6Magnusson Fork
This is a heavy-duty garden fork that you can use to tackle tough jobs. It's relatively heavy at about 2.4 kilograms, but its high-strength construction pays dividends. The forks are spear-point sharp for piercing and breaking up even dry, hard ground.
6 of 6Draper Carbon Steel Garden Fork with Ash Handle
A sturdy, hardened and tempered epoxy-coated carbon steel fork with an ash handle. You can cover a lot of ground with its large 280 x 130mm head. The large Y-shaped handle makes for comfortable use too.
What to read next:
Abby Nair works for Bauer Media as a Dynamic Assistant, helping across our specialist hobby titles. She is currently improving her garden knowledge writing for Garden News.
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