What Broadfork is the BEST?

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

🌟My favorite is the Treadlite Broadfork *Made in the USA* 5% OFF use 'NATURE5' bit.ly/3OwGN85

[@CITYBORNDESERTBRED]

Awesome content and links/info.. it seems like every time I have a question about something, there you are. Thanks for all that you do 💪🏾

[@mclovin2232]

The Meadow Creature is heavy weight and price wise but, it is bulletproof. I've dug up rocks and broken up roots with mine for years and had no issues.

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

Awesome glad to hear you love it too! It really is bulletproof!

[@gvas7560]

Great job explaning the different aproaches to gardening. In my opinion, you are doing a great job because your plants look healthy and bountiful. Keep up the good work. God bless you 👍

[@gardenerpete5232]

I'm looking into broadforks to solve a tree root problem. Currently, I use a garden fork, 12" tines to dig 14" down and break new tree roots. I modified it with a 2.5" x 24" handle, and step on it to push it an additional 2". Unfortunately, it's blades are wide (horizontal/crosswise) and can't cut the roots. I'm in lower NY, and we have a lot of invasive Norwegian Maples. Their roots are un-stoppable! Our soil is heavy clay and rocks. This is the soil that made all the bricks for NYC. I drilled 4' holes through the hardpan and filled the holes with sand to improve drainage. That helped somewhat. 10 yrs ago I switched to raised beds- solved the heavy rain flooding problem. I've gardened here for 40 years, and the beds are heavily amended with compost and leaves. I also do no-till. Question, Do you think a broadfork would solve my root problem by cutting/breaking them up every once per year? Currently, when I hit a root with the garden fork, I have to dig down and manually cut it out, often with a sawzall. I await your answer. Thank You, Pete

[@dthompson722]

On the no-dig subject, there is a book by ruth Stout The No-Garden Book, she wrote other books on the no dig subject too. She would put a heavy layer of hay down and if a weed started growing up she threw more hay on the weed and would smother the weed. She would use spoiled hay and get it free because farmers can't feed their animals with it. There was abundance of worms in her garden. I thought the most interesting part was she left the carrots in the ground during the winter. When she want it some carrots she would go out and dig some up. She layed more hay over the carrots. She used this technique as her cold storage. She was if I remember right was in her 80's. I would look for her books on books resale shops ablebooks or Book Depository. Half Price books if you're lucky to have the stores near by you. The store can do a search for her books in their other stores. Amazon has the book $88.83 + $3.99 shipping. (One left)

[@hongshi8251]

Enjoy the subject of this video. Depends on soil type as silting is a major issue with water penetration and clays after major soil conditioning. The broadforks have an important place in garden development. Great videos thank you

[@ryno4ever433]

Can't believe people would use a 5% difference in yield to say one method is better than another.

[@WannabeOperator]

Just ordered the treadlite the other day, prior to finding this video. Let's see how good of a decision I made

[@randyman8984]

how you liking it?

[@louisbrentnell2551]

Using mine in heavy clay and very compacted ground. Br

[@clarkey6818]

Also, LOVE Farmer Jesse's No Till podcasts. So informative and easy listening.

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

YESSS ME TOO! I've learned and implemented a ton from the other farmer's he's had on.

[@greg6107]

Meadow Creature the best for long haul, sure it is heavier, only 4 trines but 14", built like an armored car and last a life time.

[@anthonybeers]

No dig farmers I have seen dump truck loads of compost on everything every year. Here in Africa, It would take me three years to make enough compost to feed one no dig farm in one year.

[@milesawayfarm4026]

Nicely said. Do your research. Everything has a pro/con. Your mileage may vary. No two plots or crops or climates or soils are alike. Do what's right for YOUR land and business.

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

100%! That is how nature works WAY too many variables to ever come up with a specific formula for everyone.

[@clarkey6818]

You've done an amazing job explaining the contextual difference without stepping on toes here. Most respectful I have seen. Agreed - Charles Dowing is amazing, amazing, amazing but there are other factors to be considered like you suggest. He has an inspiring level of closed loop systems but it is near impossible for regenerative farmers (to achieve a decent living) to achieve this to Dowding's level e.g. amount of compost necessary generated on-farm when dealing with limited space? No. That, in itself is a tall task. I see broadforking as a necessity for the first couple of years in a no till system and handy to have around thereafter. It takes time.

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

Thanks for your thoughtful comments. Totally agree. I just listened to Elizabeth Kaiser of Singing Frogs Farm on the No Till Market Garden Podcast and they have come to many of the same conclusions I talked about in this video after 13 years of becoming more and more regenerative and diverse. They are an incredible farm, highly recommend looking them up and the podcast

[@zacret]

I totally agree. He did a great job in this video!

[@clarkey6818]

@@pavolhomola77 "near impossible". Even Dowding brings in commercial compost. Or do you think he generates enough for his 3/4 acre garden from the three bay system alone? Perhaps in regards to forking I should have said "a necessity in mine and some other contexts". My soil is very heavy clay and I definitely don't have the 6 inches of loam that Dowding had to start with. Like Steven points out though, not everyone can afford the extensive amount of compost initially, myself included. I've tried multiple times to sow carrots, parsnips and potatoes directly into compost on virgin land and it never works. So I fork it a little to build a permanent bed - with a garden fork as I can't afford a broadfork either 😂😔 Also because Dowding functions in the KZbin sphere first and foremost as a home gardening educator, he hasn't spoken to his business profitability (that I'm aware of- please correct me if I'm wrong and have missed a video on this, would love to know!). His teachings do not include the business, efficiencies etc side of things and therefore, doesn't potray a whole system picture. How do we know if he makes a full time living at all? There is a balance between idealogy and practical application- this is so often lost in the permaculture world. Market garden farmers need to do what keep their business alive. I think Steven does a great job of balancing those and creating a more closed loop system through worm farming etc.

[@clarkey6818]

Actually he has more than a three bay system doesn't he. More like 6-8 from memory. That might service 1/5 -1/4 acre depending on application. Alot of work, inputs and curing time before applying. I've got 5 smaller piles currently and they take aaages to manage

[@clarkey6818]

@@pavolhomola77 thanks for the correction. I see what you mean now. I just remember a video of his where he has 2 massive piles (as if brought in by dumptrucks) of compost and possibly a potting mix. So I find it kinda frustrating that his videos imply otherwise. Why I love this channel so much is that he's so transparent suthentic and objective about everything as well as being open minded and really showing the whole picture. Not meaning your comments at all but I can see why farmers like Steven get tired of hearing people say " you should be doing it this way" and feel the need to explain themselves.

[@feistygirl75]

Thoughts on the Raw Rutes broadfork?

[@johndev72]

Hello there, I think that Charles Dowding uses a similar method that you use using a tarp to initially suppress weeds but he also uses cardboard too, I think. By the way thanks for this video on broadfork usage.

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

Yes using a tarp is a fantastic way to suppress weeds and start the ground 100% no till. I'm a very big fan of using tarps as are all the market gardeners.

[@johndev72]

@@NaturesAlwaysRight thanks for your reply. Can I ask a question that has nothing to do with tarps but about market gardeners instead !. Basically, can you explain how you began as a market gardener and the food safety criteria for producing food for farmer market customers. Do you need a special certificate from a food safety authority ?. Do they inspect your market garden before you are allowed to sell at a farmers market ?. I know that you are located in California, USA. I am located in Poland, Europe. I have watched your vlogs regarding how you gained the experienced from working with your friend in his "food alley" between his grandfathers chicken coops (that was cool...well done to both of you :-) ) Finally, did you just go to the farmers market and take it from there. Thanks.

[@billyjones5091]

Excellent video very informative. I do have a question on the Meadow Creature. Which size was the one you were demonstrating: The Farmer’s, The People’s, or The Tall?

[@jimt6151]

Good video! I'm trying to decide which brand will be my first broadfork for my hard clay soil. You SOUNDLY eliminated one choice...in fact, you could have eliminated that one without using words. As soon as you turned that Johnny's fork at an angle and I saw those bent and missing tines, that one was off the list! Watching the handles wobble side-to-side didn't impress me, either. I'm leaning toward the Treadlite, but I will have another look at the Meadow Creature before I decide. Thanks for an honest comparison!

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

I'm not a fan of Johnny's tools anymore, their seeds are good but too expensive. Treadlite is the choice for me, more choices of size than meadow and small family company made in the USA and now they have a version 2 of the fork. Use 'NATURE5' for 5% off. Definitely get the all metal and it will be as strong as the meadow creature.

[@jimt6151]

@@NaturesAlwaysRight Yep! Being a small family operation, and made in the USA are major considerations for me! Thanks!

[@jameskrivitsky9715]

Thanks for the comparison video. Would the 6 tine Treadlite fork be advantageous for pulling up sweet potatoes ? JwgK in Houston TX

[@NokosTube]

Thanks for this information. Very helpful. God bless you.

[@mayshomesteadchronicles]

Nice review. But I think showing the performance of each fork would have been great 😊

[@antoniowilkins8410]

What tool could I useif thedirt around my onions is very hard. My onions haven't started maturing yet,but dirt has become hard due to so much rain.

[@katiebreen636]

How about coasters? Salt air eats things up here. Any broadforks protected better then others for me?

[@alexandraalarcon5626]

U are duper cute 🥰🥰🥰

[@rhudy6509]

thats nice,is that good to work over their,lovely to eat vegetables salad/fried/soup?

[@-sol-8350]

What large cover crop did you use for the first year?

[@noremacbeez]

Great video....and well thought out....I fully agree and I'm a huge Charles Dowding fan. My garden is in subtropical Queensland where our summer rains destroy most of our Organics and reduce the soil to quite a hard pack surface come the autumn. Overcoming subsoil compaction and topsoil anoxic conditions from summer is critical to the successful winter and spring harvest. I am import a significant amount of compost and I make my own compost but it is very difficult to overcome seasonal factors without the use of a fork once every two years in my beds.

[@noremacbeez]

Another consideration is that I have a lot of nearby trees with fibrous root systems which tend to occupy the topsoil without breaking them seasonally.

[@dj_wilson]

So...I absolutely want one of those shirts! Love it! Please add this design to your store. Loving your content! THANK YOU!!

[@BurtWhitten]

Very good video, i like the broadfork method although i havent had one yet i just use a regular fork. I think its good exercise for all ages. The key in any system is to get and keep a living root in the ground for as long as possible

[@leslieollerhead1114]

Awesome ty good info .. I am definitely going to buy a broad fork.. wish I knew about them when I first started gardening

[@richstone2627]

I was diggin' the chickens talking.

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

Haha glad you enjoy them! Anytime I'm around them they beg for treats from me lol.

[@Ryin88]

Bully tools has one that less than $100 and fully metal. I have concerns with wood poles degrading lol

[@greg6107]

You don't want wood poles or even removal poles being metal or wood.

[@simd510]

Do you recommend 12 inch tines or 14 inch?

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

I'd say 12 just because it will be easier to get into the soil and will require a lot less work when forking 100s of times in a day.

[@simd510]

@@NaturesAlwaysRight makes sense. Thanks for the reply!

[@mindy779]

You are absolutely correct!!!! Also Dr. Elane Ingram is fantastic too. I hope you have a chance to get her on your. KZbin channel one day that would be fabulous. 😃 Keep those great vids coming.👍

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

So glad you are familiar with her work! She's a game changer and really changed my perspective on things. That would be a dream come true. I'll do my best to make that happen someday!

[@williamshaw667]

thanks for the video!

[@mezleona]

Cannot afford that new tool 😿

[@skiaddict08]

Hi there from Montana! Nice video, you must be in Florida or something :) Could you help me decide between the meadow creature broadforks that are on their website? There is the People's, Tall, and Farmers. I'm going to be forking very clay soil that has been overtilled in the past without adding organic matter back..it gets very hard and cracks when dries and is so sticky when wet. I feel like the heaviest one would work the best for me (I'm 6',0'' 150lbs). The past few years I have been adding compost, straw and woodchips and letting the grass grow in it..seems like it's doing better. Any tips on pulling out all the quack grass? It just takes time to remove it all, right? Thanks Bro!!

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

Hey I'm in San Diego, CA. We are exactly the same height and weight lol. I'd recommend the Tall broadfork, you want as wide as possible and you don't need the extra deep cultivation in my opinion. Here's a couple video I made on dealing with horrible grass that may help, best of luck.#1 kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5fSdGZ9abSkqLs #2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6DMZXSJgrWVarc

[@skiaddict08]

@@NaturesAlwaysRight Thank you so much, dude! I went to San Diego for my senior trip in '08, soo niceee I miss it there! Peace to you brudda.

[@Xainfinen]

Damn I wish they could ship these serious tool in Europe.

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

Richard Perkins was starting to import market gardening tools to the EU but I don't see much on his site anymore, makingsmallfarmswork.shop/

[@VastCNC]

Have you tried any of the Gulland Forge broadforks?

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

I've never tried it out or seen it in person, but looks just like a Johnny's :)

[@ppac300]

If you have one, and only one broadfork to choose? Which one would it be?

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

For me it's the treadlite with metal handles I like the extra width vs the meadow creature.

[@ppac300]

@@NaturesAlwaysRight thanks for the prompt response. I was actually leaning towards the meadow creature and would now consider the treadlite. I’d be using mine for orchard/fruit trees application.

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

@@ppac300 Meadow creature is incredible and I'd say is the most durable but treadlite is a close second with the metal handles. I just love the 24" size for 30" market garden beds.

[@mclovin2232]

We live in South Florida and even the sugar sand we have gets compacted. At my old house I broadforked our beds, added compost and mulch and within two years we had changed the compostion of the beds. I could drive a piece of 1/2" bamboo 6-7" in the ground by hand with little effort. Before I could probably get a piece in 2". I double dug a couple of beds before I invested in a broadfork and I can tell you it's not worth it. It's a lot of back breaking work in the hot Florida summer. Plant roots grow between the spaces in the soil. The less compacted the better. Not to mention the benefits to the microbes. I wouldn't broadfork every time I planted a bed out but, in my opinion it's a great way to get your garden kick started. Great video!!!

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

Love that story of transformation!

[@mezleona]

how about just a regular fork.?

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

PItchfork will also have the same effect just not as efficient

[@randyman8984]

I would imagine a pitchfork wouldt last very long(bent or broken)

[@Skashoon]

8:45 comparison begins

[@What..a..shambles]

8 min 10 sec for broadfork

[@NaturesAlwaysRight]

I have a table of contents pinned to the top of the comments of all of my videos.

[@hermitholllerhomestead2080]

At 8:40 minutes you finally started talking about the forks.

[@jamesbramblett3346]

Meadow creature 👍🏻