Broadfork Questions

[jkholmes]

Anyone have experience with a broadfork? I'm really leaning towards purchasing one for our large in ground garden. Most of the things we will be growing in it are root / bulb crops, so having relatively loose soil would be nice, but I don't want to use a tiller either. Our plan is right now to use this garden for potatoes, onions and carrots.

I've looked at a few and am kind of leaning towards something like this:

Johnny's 727 Hardpan Broadfork | Johnny's Selected Seeds

Specifically designed for tougher, compacted soils and deep aeration. Seven tines, 27" wide. Broadforks allow you to break up soil compaction in established ...

www.johnnyseeds.com

Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[indychad]

I’ve been looking at the all steel forks.
With all steel, hopefully I will never have to replace the handles.
Hickory or ash handles, over time will break as I tend to be hard on tools.

 

[bwframe]

Not to be a smart ass, but broadforking seems to be the double digging of the 2020's?




Not quite the price of a tiller...

 

[manifest destiny]

I'm curious why no tilling/tiller. Is it just a want to not be dependent on engine(s) during a time when fuel might be unavailable? I'm also curious how much area your gardening. Based on the vid, anything bigger than a modest "kitchen garden" would be too much work for the fork operator. I've never seen the fork, maybe it's better if you're not breaking new ground.