 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (August 2010) |
The broadfork, also called a U-fork or grelinette, is a garden tool used to manually break up densely packed soil, including hardpan, to improve aeration and drainage.[1] Broadforks are used as part of a no-till or reduced-till seedbed preparation process because they preserve the soil structure and avoid the resurfacing of weed seeds.[2]
It consists of five or so metal tines, approximately eight inches long, spaced a few inches apart on a horizontal bar, with two handles extending upwards to chest or shoulder level that form a large U-shape.
The operator steps up on the crossbar, using full bodyweight to drive the tines into the ground, then steps backward while pulling backwards on the handles, causing the tines to lever upwards through the soil. This action leaves the soil layers intact, rather than inverting or mixing them, preserving the topsoil structure.
A broadfork can be used in a garden, or practically for one to two acres (4,000 to 8,000 m2). For larger areas, a tractor- or animal-powered chisel plow or similar tool is usually employed.
- ^ Smith, Edward C. Smith (2009). The Vegetable Gardener's Bible. Storey Publishing. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-60342-475-2.
- ^ "Johnny's Guide to Small-scale Bed Preparation Tools". www.johnnyseeds.com. Retrieved 2020-07-31.