The broadfork is an essential garden tool for clay soil

The broadfork or U fork is a French tool that Eliot Coleman brought to the US in the 1990s. It's not a classic tool like the hoe or shovel, but its use is increasing as homesteaders, market gardeners and small acreage farmers realize the vast benefits that come with loosening tight clay soils without disturbing structure and microbial habitat.

The broadfork has two long wood or metal handles connected to a flat bar that has between four to seven, 8-to-16-inch spikes on it. To use it, the gardener puts the prongs into the ground and steps onto the bar pushing or wiggling the spikes into the ground with their body weight. The gardener steps off the bar and pulls the handles toward them, aerating the soil. This process is repeated over and over in preparing new planting beds or reinvigorating current ones.

Because broadforks are designed to open the ground without turning it over, it’s extremely beneficial in decreasing compaction and erosion. This action allows oxygen and water to penetrate more deeply. Using a broadfork regularly in the garden can eliminate the need to till which protects the soil structure and beneficial soil organisms. The deep penetration and lifting action of the broadfork also allows access to very deep-rooted weeds and grasses that can be removed more easily.

My own personal experience with the broadfork has proven these benefits. I bought a used metal broadfork last summer for $75 compared to the price of a good rear tine tiller which is about $500. This spring we broadforked 26, fifty-foot rows. As a result of using the broadfork, we no longer have any water pooling in any of the uneven or low areas. We were also able to remove much of the Johnson grass rhizomes and Bermuda grass stolons from the growing areas.

Two months into this growing season my tomatoes, brassicas, beans, and cucurbits are all much larger and healthier than all our previous years combined. I have also noticed less squash bugs, cucumber beetles and harlequin beetles.

In conclusion, small acreage farmers and gardeners who choose to try the broadfork will be rewarded with increased crop yields, improved soil health, and experience a very cost-efficient alternative to tilling. #cropfit #theresilientfarmer