My 5 Favourite Tools in the Garden

[@Laflamablanca969]

You know what I love about this video? It’s exactly the opposite of every other “top 5 garden tools” video in the sense that you aren’t trying to flog off some company’s useless product to your audience. This is why I love your videos and I honestly don’t know how you haven’t got more subscribers 🙏

[@REDGardens]

La Flama Blanca Glad that distinction came through in the video!

[@chrisparsonson420]

Dead right. If I start a video and it turns out to be just a big advertisment then I leave it. But this one is just useful

[@IowaKim]

And also they tend to be people that's just gardened for the last 2 weeks.

[@traktorworks3200]

just a suggestion about your fold out ruler. Using a ruler like this, which is made of wood in a dusty earth environment will cause the wood to DRY OUT or loose its natural moisture very quickly. So every now and again you could oil it with an animal fat from your cooking or an oil like vegetable or olive oil. Im sure it will last much longer. ps your commentary on your tools is excellent.

[@MFRANKRR92]

A lot of content out there seems to focus on a black and white, lack of grey area when it comes to its recommendations. Complexity and simplicity, or ancient and ultra modern always presented as if at odds. So I quite enjoyed that your list didn't have this bias and you stayed the obvious, truthful and most used items.

[@REDGardens]

mitch ratcliffe I like the “grey areas”! Thanks for the feedback.

[@PrairiePlantgirl]

It’s nice to see an honest look at truly useful tools, not just promotion of products. My garden fork is probably my favourite garden tool.

[@REDGardens]

Prairie Plantgirl Thanks! Do you have a long handle or a short ‘D’ handle on it?

[@PrairiePlantgirl]

RED Gardens for my uses I prefer the shorter “D” handle.

[@suemar63]

It never ceases to amaze me how much great info I can get from your videos. I also had a "duh" moment when I saw you chopping brassica stalks with your spade. Why did that never occur to me??? Thank you. You are a great help

[@heron6462]

I've found an electric garden chipper to be very useful for shredding twigs and woody material like brassica, maize, and sunflower stalks for composting, as well as difficult-to handle stuff like brambles.

[@suemar63]

@@heron6462 Thank you! :)

[@REDGardens]

Susan Schmitz I’ve had quite a few of those “duh” moments!

[@davebox588]

A thing that I really appreciate is that you post when you have something to post. It never feels like you are having to desperately think of something to talk about this week. Always something of interest whether it's relevant to what I'm doing or not. Secondly, I appreciate your honesty. Whether something fails because of a mistake or because you didn't have time, you always say. Just to let you know someone out here appreciates your approach. Now if you'll allow me a question: I'd love to use my phone in the garden, but how do you not end up with it falling into your water butt, or breaking the cover when you crouch down?

[@REDGardens]

Dave Box Thanks for that feedback about my videos, always good to know that I am going in the right direction! With my smartphone, I am always very conscious about when and how I take it out, as I do have that fear of dropping it in a bucket. To be honest I am surprised that I haven’t had any accidents or damage to the phones I have used. Either I am lucky, or perhaps the fact that I take it out so many times a day means that I am much more skilled or conscious about it. I guess similar to how a chef rarely cuts themselves with all the sharp knives they are constantly using.

[@maxsmith8196]

Huh, I’ve never even considered sharpening my spade.. I feel silly, thanks for the tip!

[@MarlonVanderLinde]

I also got a wake up call here. I am going to make a "file holder" on the spade so the file travels with it.

[@suemar63]

@@MarlonVanderLinde Oh--that's a good idea!

[@JurassicJolts]

It's a game changer for sure

[@jeffdustin]

Max, you are right! I need to go sharpen my spade and add a long handle!

[@notthelake]

It makes a huge difference, I remember hearing about it probably 20 years ago, and it just made so much sense. Now a file is kept with my garden supplies. Sharpening hoes, spades, reshaping pick heads after rocks deform them.

[@zazugee]

the tools are the things you're gonna spend the most time with love your tools and they will help you back

[@REDGardens]

zazugee Indeed! I need to look after my tools a lot better.

[@marko176schneider5]

Super Video.Danke!

[@robertm4050]

Another great video and it didn't feel like I was being sold something or constantly told about the links below to go and buy the tools. Definitely my favorite garden/farm channel. If my garden wasn't raised/no dig beds I would be out there sharpening my square shovel right now. Glad I didn't have a sharpened shovel when I was planting my peach tree. Found some unmarked power lines going from my house to back building. Lucky I didn't break it and get the shock of a lifetime.

[@REDGardens]

Robert M Thanks for the feedback about my channel, and glad to know my approach to all of this is appreciated.

[@robertm4050]

@@REDGardens No problem and thanks again. After about one garden season all the other garden channels are recycling all the same material, so I don't bother watching them at all. Unless they catch me with a gimmicky title and then I get pissed off for clicking.

[@SlinkyDrinky]

it might sound strange. But I use my hands for most things. I keep a thumbnail and fingernail long and sharp, and It is my most used tool for harvesting and pruning delicate things on the spot. But my hands and nails are strong. I also use bamboo a lot, whether for digging trenches, spacing, trellising, dibbling. etc. So it turns out, you can grow your own tools as well as your own food haha. .. but nothing beats a sharp spade for most jobs.

[@REDGardens]

MattsLinky I also use my hands a lot, and have referred to them as my favourite tools in the past, but forgot about that when making this video.

[@vonrufensiean4630]

What an honest way to review your tools. Good luck while using them

[@PKSkeith]

I got a pitchfork last year and it's one of the best things I've ever bought. I've got solid clay and the fork breaks it up really well.

[@thecurrentmoment]

Pitchfork or garden fork?

[@PKSkeith]

@@thecurrentmoment the difference being? a multi tined long handled tool.

[@joshmann7587]

@@PKSkeith bassically the strength i think is the difference. What fork did you get? Was looking at getting one ,myself but wasnt sure about which one.

[@thepandaman]

@@PKSkeith Pitchforks have curved, thin long tines to a sharp point, quite widely spaced. Ideal for scooping up hay and straw off the floor, and can be used for turning compost if still in big clumps. Not suitable for digging due to curved tines, but that's what makes them so good for sliding along an existing floor to pick up stuff. Then you've got broad forks, digging forks and border forks - all for garden digging really, but varying widths.

[@t3hRulez]

Thanks for keeping things simple and accessible. Other favourite tool videos are overwhelming but I can invest in a couple simple tools to get started. Your channel is amazing!

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. Glad you like my approach to these things!

[@Galluchh]

I almost like these videos more than the result-type videos. maybe another top 5 soon? keep up the good work!

[@REDGardens]

That's Tight Dude Thanks.

[@donnabrooks1173]

Hi. First time watching one of your videos. Excellent content. I never thought of the smart phone to take picture records of the different crops. Brilliant. Going to incorporate that into my gardening journaling. Thanks so much for the information.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks for watching! My phone is probably my most used tool!

[@michaelmcclafferty3346]

It's always great to watch your videos Bruce. You are so passionate about what you do.

[@thecurrentmoment]

That is a sharp spade. Nice work

[@mossconfig]

I'd be interested in learning about your workflow.

[@angelamo8689]

Myltumesc mult pentru un video complet,generos,masat in doar 10'.M-am abonat.

[@ashleyhavoc1940]

There's definitely something soothing about symmetrical plantings...

[@REDGardens]

Ashley Spears Yeah, I really like the look of straight rows and structures beds, even though I know that is me applying a foreign control on an organic world.

[@fxm5715]

@@REDGardens For me, it's one of the few areas of my life where I have that much control, and by extension, the responsibility for the outcome. It's a significant part of what keeps me sane.

[@REDGardens]

FXM I have that feeling too sometimes, with all the messed up things in the world, there is something soothing about the order nature of bed of (weed free) onions!

[@johncourtneidge]

Again, Exceptional! Thank-you! Here in West Sussex, I need to find a source of supply of long handles, such as on your spade, shovel and fork. All in good time. I very much admire your energy and application. And yes, that earlier morale point! Essential and so hard!

[@dollyperry3020]

Good video.

[@foggypatchfarm6048]

Great video! I think people often overlook the value of a well made shovel or garden fork. The angles and the weight of those tools factor in a lot too. I have an Austrian scythe as well, a wire hoe, and a light duty Japanese chopping hoe that is very well balanced.

[@REDGardens]

Foggy Patch Farm Yes, a well made shovel or fork is a thing of beauty to work with.

[@blackhellebore89]

Your wire weeder was something recommended to me to make as well, except you can bang the end of the shank of the tool into the end of a broomstick, and then you can just wander around that way without having to bend down.

[@REDGardens]

When the season gets going I plan to do what you suggest. I also like to have a hand one that can fit in my back pocket, so it is always available for a bit of weeding during other tasks.

[@CarbonConscious]

Your videos are really great, loads of valuable information in a relatively short format without any beating around the bush and all of it delivered in such a clear and calm way.

[@REDGardens]

Permaculture Playground Thanks for the feedback. Good to know my approach and format works for people.

[@VagabondAnne]

Yes, but also a wheelbarrow, twine, watering cans, trowel, trellising materials (depending on what's most appropriate).And some things are more infrastructure than tool: hoses, hoop house, fence.

[@REDGardens]

VagabondAnne Yes, there is lots I left out. It is interesting where to draw the line between tool/equipment/infrastructure. For some reason I don’t consider a wheelbarrow to be a tool, but that is fairly arbitrarily line.

[@MarlonVanderLinde]

@@REDGardens I agree with you, i loved that you used context here. Wheelbarrow is like a spoon when eating soup, it needs no announcement.

[@REDGardens]

Marlon Yes, sometimes we forget to mention the essential pieces as they are just so obvious.

[@paolomaggi8188]

In my opinion you are a gardener - scientist with very innovative (and sometimes very simple) ideas. I love your approach because it seems to me that you don't want to teach everybody but you only share your knowledge. In spite of this i learned a lot of things!...Greetings from northen Italy (Castana, Oltrepo pavese, 60 km south of Milan)

[@REDGardens]

Thank you for that comment. That is exactly what I am trying to achieve, to share knowledge and experiences so that others can learn or at least gain a better understanding of how one person may approach these things, rather than trying to teach. I am glad it comes across, and it is wonderful to know that someone in such a different climate can get something out of my experiences here in Ireland.

[@yohanneslucky5538]

Thank you for educating me.

[@BriansGreenGarden]

Nice one! My favourite has to be the Fork for the camera. I'm going to copy you. Thanks!

[@Qn0Bi6]

Nice tips. I like this type oft your videos a lot. Hope to establish a growing space next season. All the best!

[@REDGardens]

Qn0Bi6 Hope you get to be able to grow soon!

[@IonTBall]

Awesome video! Thanks!

[@三三有院·花满蹊]

I’ve seen so many gardening videos and I really like this one. Thanks for the tips!

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@coen555]

I really love my long handled fork. Spent a long time modifying it from new. Wasn't built with handle replacement in mind but it came up nicely after a bit of metal work, some wood work and 20 applications of raw walnut oil.

[@REDGardens]

Coen I need to start taking better care of my tool handles.

[@coen555]

@@REDGardens Once they have a good coating or saturation they are easy to maintain. Just got to put the 2 minutes a day in for a few weeks first.

[@danielfisch655]

Thank you for sharing and I'm a huge fan of long handles on our pitch forks, shovels, and rakes especially since I'm pretty tall (6' 2").

[@REDGardens]

Daniel Fisch I love the extra long handle of the wide landscaping rake. It makes the job so much easier.

[@danielfisch655]

RED Gardens I agree 💯. 👍🏽👊🏽

[@ArkansasWoodcutter]

Extremely helpful video. Just to sharpen my shovel if I carry away that it has been well worth the watch. The flurry of tools and uses at the end ....thanks for sharing

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. Glad you got something out of it!

[@tomjones4318]

This type vid is apparently underrated. I needed to see that square shovel action. We have "flat" shovels here that are mainly used to scoop or scrape. A square digging shovel is a different animal. I never thought in those terms. A blind spot. Guess it's similar to an edging shovel. I like to develop new tools when I can. Or rediscover old tools no longer used. I'm testing forks now. All sizes, shapes and tine numbers with different handles. When to use a T or D handle. The finish on the handle is pretty important. A polished oil finish gives much better grip and comfort too. Nobody sells them that way in the US so you have to strip the laquer. My last order of handles turned out to be broken inside the crooked metal ferrel. I doubt most people check. I'm afraid they are now made in China. Many of the ash trees in the best region here were wiped out by disease. I'm finding the temper and steel quality can vary greatly. I only use forged. You don't know how a fork will perform till you've got it on the handle. Seems like today the best manual hand tools for gardening are available over there in the UK region.

[@REDGardens]

Tom Jones I have had a similar ‘blind spot’ sensation with other tools that people use al the time, just never thought about the possibility. So I am trying to be more open about the possibility I may find new ‘favourite’ tools in the future. We do seem to have decent tools over here, though there are a lot of crap ones around. I agree about the tempered steel, when I get a fork or shovel with good steel, it lasts forever. The handles are still an issue for me, I just haven’t taken care of them well enough over the years, so they jus don’t last. Something to work on.

[@peter2327]

​@@REDGardens ash wood handles with narrow rings are the best thing. Hard to find nowadays, the construction market stuff is just cheap milled junk on the storage board, I refer to it as "pre-broken". I have better luck at small agricultural shops and farm markets/fairs. These good handles live very long if they are precisely attached to the tool (best with a glued-in wooden wedge), are covered with boiled linseed oil (and wipe excess oil off again with a hard cloth) and can dry again after becoming wet. If you have ever attended a longbow workshop, you know exactly how to make the technically best wood handles for yourself.

[@eloycastrorojas8368]

excellent video, excellent explanation Greetings from Costa Rica.

[@len8417]

That is an extremely useful video, very well put together content.good man

[@REDGardens]

Glad you think so!

[@ReviewTimeWithTim]

I have found that the hoe is very good and use it more and more with the things I do in the garden....making rows or making a mound to plant seeds..getting up weeds .....chopping up the dirt......list goes on

[@MeandYouHello]

Thanks for sharing your videos!

[@bonnysins6698]

Hi there, you sir just got your self a new subscriber..such an informative video..keep it up.. thank you very much 👍

[@pradeepbagde1278]

Super equipments easy to carry.👍

[@markallanfox]

What was being attached to the smartphone? A light? When scything, try not to lift at the start of each swing. Just slide it along the ground. Same goes for the return. Also, try to take one swing over the full mowing width rather than a few partial swings. Your back will thank you in a few years. The relaxed pace of scything was spot on. If you can't keep it up for hours, slow down.

[@KWJackson]

Looked like a type of microphone being attached to the phone.

[@REDGardens]

Mark Fox It was a microphone. When scything I usually try to have a fuller swing and closer to the ground as you suggest. In this context I had a slightly raised bed I was getting around, plus I had left drip line pipes on the soil surface that I was trying to avoid, so not an ideal situation.

[@carrotsandrunning]

this video was a lot better than i expected :)

[@REDGardens]

🙂

[@arnavrawat9864]

I'm not a gardener but enjoy authentic content

[@dishywilly]

Thanks for sharing, I gotta try the little wire weeder, what a great idea!

[@REDGardens]

It is a cool little tool.

[@hamidbenabbou6886]

Very nice So practical

[@miguelbinha]

ahah I also carry a mora, albeit a 510, with me whenever I´m gardening. Top tools! Love the spade and the fork as well. As a matter of fact, I am going to put long handles on both.

[@TeamArVes]

I like to use the fork to soften the soil taking up weeds and straining out rocks Thanks for sharing

[@REDGardens]

Team ArVes Yeah, a useful tool.

[@johnnybear111]

Great video thank you

[@ErionElPintor]

Great video, good job and thank you!

[@REDGardens]

Thanks!

[@thefarmerjimmy3979]

very nice idea sir..

[@youngoldboy3430]

Mine's a 50 year old Terinex spring loaded spade, digging made easy with no bending which is very important to me as I have a very dodgy back.

[@REDGardens]

Young old boy I had to google that! Hadn’t heard of a spring loaded spade before, very interesting.

[@youngoldboy3430]

@@REDGardens You can still get them on Amazon. www.amazon.co.uk/Carbon-Steel-Backsaver-Spade/dp/B00EAN2ZA6

[@billastell3753]

One of the most useful tools in the garden is not made for gardening. It is a bee keepers tool appropriately called a hive tool. It is a small hand tool that you can carry in your pocket. It is about 9 inches long with one sharp end that is and a bent over and the other sharp straight end. It is ideal for weeding in tight areas. Stab it in to get the deepest roots or use the bent end like a mini hoe between the plants. To see what they look like simply google it in images.

[@greatyardmaster]

Great video and good job!

[@barkershill]

Agree about long handled tools. I put a D handle on the end of my fork which I feel makes it even easier to use .!

[@REDGardens]

For some jobs I like a D handle on the fork - it does make it easier to manipulate.

[@billherrick3569]

Great video as always!

[@murrayzuckerman123]

Great information.

[@luismontilla4080]

Excelente. Muchas gracias por tu aporte.

[@REDGardens]

De nada.

[@sanaidnikla1866]

Man I love your videos

[@REDGardens]

Thanks!

[@sanaidnikla1866]

@@REDGardens No thank you!!

[@JeeJeanVittoVlogs]

Thank you for sharing ideas.. Specially the tools you use in gardening. Thank you👍

[@Mr71paul71]

A good sharp pocket knife is very useful

[@jeffmartin693]

great vid again! off to build a wire weeder! Just made a weeder using metal banding scrap with a long handle and liking it too.

[@sdraven9954]

Thank you

[@Love-tl2gh]

Use what you have, I love it❤👍👍

[@maryskeats4302]

Very helpful

[@REDGardens]

🙂

[@bambam-vk1st]

How neat!

[@REDGardens]

😀

[@cqammaz53]

You have a beautiful garden. Interesting I'm glad I watched. I'm always looking to learn something new.

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@edwardwhite9793]

Hi Carolyn, it’s nice meeting you here.. I’m Edward and it would be nice getting to know you,if that’s ok with you? My mom once said good friends are never too much to have. if you don’t mind, can we be friends?? Lovely smile you got there on your profile picture😊.

[@cqammaz53]

@@edwardwhite9793 Agree a good friend is important. As I'm new at gardening and my husband has no interest in my love for gardening I turn to my friends for advice. Like, 2 years ago I lost my only beehive. I'm planning to start up a new beehive this summer if I see that they will have enough nectar from my fruit trees that I planted 2 summers ago. Happy gardening from Pa gardens

[@edwardwhite9793]

@@cqammaz53 Oh, I’m new to gardening as well, I subscribed to this channel so I can get some advice and skills from people who has experience in gardening.

[@edwardwhite9793]

@@cqammaz53 Can we communicate on a better platform? I don’t think here is a good means to converse

[@Weesperbuurt]

You sound very Canadian! It’s a long way to Tipperary.

[@REDGardens]

G H Yep, still haven’t lost the accent!

[@marko176schneider5]

👍✔❤Super ❤ 👍 Super ❤ 👍 ✔

[@captainanthony1399]

Thank You! gratitude💚🌱

[@REDGardens]

Captain Anthony :)

[@ImASurvivorNThriver]

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing.

[@guyanaplaces592]

Finaly someone gave credit to the smartphone as a gardening tool 👏

[@aggelon7658]

I would like to use my smart phone for gardening, but I need help where to start.

[@guyanaplaces592]

@@aggelon7658 youtube

[@microanalytic6236]

Great... Sir, ...Excellent

[@husseinvirani]

Didn't see the phone 📱 coming in on the list. Lovely twist practical advise.

[@azhmehmood]

Great video 👍👍

[@REDGardens]

Thank you 👍

[@kingking6379]

very nice

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@falatoronto]

The wire tool does a great job on those smaller weeds.

[@REDGardens]

1more I love it!

[@peter2327]

I found this weeder very interesting: kzbin.info/www/bejne/raCrf5p-oMeKsKM I have no green bamboo, so I used a light long wooden broomstick (from a ceiling corner brush/spider weave remover). I had no metal strapping but worn out band saw blades. The inner tube mounting method works pretty well. You definitely need a cheap sack cart with 2 or 3 180 mm PVC pipes mounted vertically to it. Holds all your tools, and a cooler for your beverages. Never forget a tool in the field again. cart unter a roof, tools are dry - easy. I plan on cloning a hand truck like this (moda-tech.de/transportkarren/) for handling all my mum's humongous flower pots.

[@tinkamisi7746]

SUPER !

[@d.b.sorensen827]

I keep a pointy switch blade knife clipped to my covies where i can get at it quick! It has proven indispensable in the garden cutting stems, twine,scraping stem ends for cuttings...and if a wild squash bug ever tries to attack me ,well he just better think twice!

[@REDGardens]

A easy to get at knife is indispensable! And I have had far fewer bug attacks since starting to carry one 😉

[@sunalwaysshinesonTVs]

My 1 favourite essential tools video

[@chrismcewan7582]

I am very curious about the data entry software you were using. I would like to see more about it : what it is, how you use it etc. Thanks for the great vid !

[@d.b.sorensen827]

I was curious about that myself has anybody done an app for this sort of tracking?

[@starshot5172]

Thank you!

[@bigcitybuslines3872]

Ruler is from a carpentry education center in Biberach Germany. Did you attend? Looks like a neat place.

[@REDGardens]

A friend attended a course there a while ago, and brought that back to me.

[@angelasheppard7197]

Wow this is nice video

[@REDGardens]

Thanks!

[@Kat-mh5kj]

i get to a happy place by watching your rich crumbling soil.looks amazing.your soil images are garden porn.

[@REDGardens]

Yeah ... it is lovely soul to work with!

[@thebraziliangardener8481]

in brazil we call the carpenter's ruller "meter"

[@Qn0Bi6]

Lol, same here in Germany.

[@peter2327]

So there emigrated people from south Germany to Brazil: www.atlas-alltagssprache.de/runde-5/f04/ Is it also pronounced in German?

[@andreasheij]

Which app are you using for the 'administration'?? Seems to be an intresting one....

[@REDGardens]

andreas heijdendael I use Numbers app on the iPhone. Don’t know how it compares to excel (haven’t tried it out) but the ‘Form’ function is really easy and useful.

[@BasicMarineEngineering]

I thought it's some garden app

[@burgs6404]

@@REDGardens Do you have a template you could share for inspiration? Your spreadsheet looked very intuitive.

[@aggelon7658]

@@REDGardens this is amazing how did you start to develop the Numbers app to a gardening use. I use android and no idea how to start

[@Alpinewild444]

thank you for such a great video, i’m so happy to have found your channel🙏🏻🌸🐛🐝

[@REDGardens]

I'm glad you found my channel too!

[@vencent8329]

im doing my garden with my shovel for 4 year now

[@aklein892]

Amazing, simple, well thought out content. You are Creme de la Creme de la youtube

[@REDGardens]

Thank you!

[@christian9125abd]

i am from Austria and i can say i would take really similar Tools wich u have but in my top 5 no Smartphone and no scythe but i would defenitly have a tractor and a rear shovel for it to Transport all king of material around the farm like gras Wood earth ...

[@REDGardens]

Interesting. I get a lot of use out of my wheelbarrow, but I wouldn't consider it a tool, more of equipment, the way a bucket or tote would be. Not sure if that designation is important, but I might do another video about my favourite pieces of equipment.

[@UrbanCountryFilms]

Thanks

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@mayatilou]

Another great VDO! thank you so much. my data collection wasn't efficient last year and I need to improve. what app do you use to enter your data in your iPhone? thanks a lot!

[@REDGardens]

Thanks! I use the Numbers app, and rely heavily on the ‘forms’ function which makes it a lot easier to enter each line of data.

[@mayatilou]

@@REDGardens thank you so much!

[@joannthompson765]

Do u have a video on how you set up those spread sheets.iam not that big of a gardner but more organized helps alot of us

[@mandyonline17]

Just found you! What a fab bunch of info, this will really help me develop my polygarden as well. Love the voice :)

[@hhiippiittyy]

Commenting for the algorithm.

[@REDGardens]

thanks

[@diatonicjon]

The weeding hoe is crucial. I would say all farmers should get a soil blocker and scythe as well.

[@worrall411]

Love this channel, I don't think there are many people out there doing the fascinating and important work that you are doing. I just had a few questions. Did you consider trying compost teas or feeding plants with teas mixed with kelp and alfalfa? You could try it on the no dig bed as that would be more inline with that type of gardening style. Secondly do you feed all your beds with municipal water from the tap or do you let it sit for 24/48 hours to dissipate the chlorine and chloramine out of it? Lastly I loved the video where you used a living mulch but wondered if the biomass would of broken down much faster if it had been outside in a much wetter environment and you also covered it with compost before leaving it to rot?

[@REDGardens]

Samuel Worrall Thanks! I have tried a few compost teas but would love to experiment more. I think the approach would also really benefit the Polytunnel garden, as there is much more growth/productivity and I am already watering. In the past I have kept tanks full of municipal water so that it could warm up and hopefully some of the chlorine would dissipate, but since I have switched to sprinklers for a lot of the watering, I don’t get those benefits. I think you are right about the biomass breaking down faster if had been able to keep it moist.

[@worrall411]

I forgot to ask, would it be possible to do a test on a bed by innoculating half of the plants roots with mycorrhizal fungi and leaving the other half? I would love to see the outcome of that! Again I would think that would work best on the no dig bed.

[@REDGardens]

Samuel Worrall That would be an interesting experiment.

[@MarlonVanderLinde]

You feel about your spade like I do about the mattock. But to be fair, we have hard ground, roots, bermudy grass and a lot of pipe laying in the solid clay. I say this with tears in my eyes. On the topic of phones: Do you know the field margin app? It's indespensible for me for mapping out pipes, fences, camps...

[@REDGardens]

Marlon I’ve never had to deal with solid clay soil, but I can imagine a mattock would be my favourite tool in that situation. Thanks for the pointer to the Field Margins app. Looks interesting. I suspect it won’t be high resolution enough to use in the gardens, but it would be very useful in helping to manage the overall landscape around, and assist in communication with with the other people that I collectively manage it all with.