tools

What tool do you use to turn an open compost pile? A pitchfork? Or do you use the tool I've seen advertised, the compost turning tool? It looks flimsy though; I can't believe it would hold up.

HM,

I use a 5-pronged compost fork with a short handle and a D-grip on the handle. My compost piles are contained by 4-foot high wire fencing, and each cylindrical pile is about 6 feet in diameter.

When it comes time to "turn" a pile, I loosen and remove the wire fence cylinder, and reconnect it nearby. Then I shovel the old pile into the new enclosure, using the fork.

MM

I like a long handled 5-tine for turning but a 10-tine silage fork for filling with dry (lighter weight) materials. Make sure they're forged steel other wise they bend too easy. For little items, you'll need a flat shovel with short sides. And then for turning into the garden soil (or heavy clay dirt) - an English Square-tined digging fork. http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_center/browse_category.asp?category_id=7329&UID=

This one has four tines which I haven't tried before. I wish someone would send me one so I could test it! http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_center/product_details.asp?item_no=S16228

Jozeeben, do you like the quality of the Seeds of Change tools?

I just have the Clarington Forge d-handle digging fork and it's awesome but I think I got it from Johnny's Seeds: http://www.johnnyseeds.com/catalog/subcategory.aspx?category=292&subcategory=637 I've been eye-balling the long handled one at Seeds of Change and the hay fork but was going to wait until my other cheaper ones gave out. I imagine the Clarington should outlast me. They have a new compost fork for $29.95.

I wish they listed the weight. Some of the really fabulous tools are so heavy that they aren't really as fabulous as they seem at first blush.

The ten tine is really heavy. The digging fork & hay fork are nice & light and there is a smaller version of the fork at Seeds of Change. If you call they'll probably let you know. Smith & Hawken has the 43" digging fork listed at 5-1/2 lbs but the hay fork is probably lighter. Have you seen the ones with wooden tines? I think Lehman's carries them. I'll see if I can find a link.

Wooden tines? Wouldn't those last about a week, maybe less?

Been following this thread. Just ordered a Clarington Forge compost fork. Thanks for the lead! I have other CF tools and they are wonderful.

From a solid piece of ash -- they don't make them like they use to (well not as cheap as they use to!) http://www.thesustainablevillage.com/servlet/display/product/detail/32963

And here's some out of Hickory: http://www.rptrading.biz/HayForksEnlarged.html

Try googling wooden hay fork -- I'm sure they would hold up to compost if they didn't get left in the pile or weather?

I like the kind of fork that has a slave on the end of. I just get out my wip and let him have it. And boy does that hurt my back. LOL

I use only an old Pitchfork after breaking so many flathead shovels, turning forks, (ash means "crack" to me.) and cheaper pitchforks. I can't even remember how many I have snapped in two...

Oldies are goodies because they are still around. Cheap tools from the old days are broken, leaving the quality tools to be passed own from one yard sale to another...

Just a pitchfork...

I use a 5 tined wide spred fork and move the pile from one pit to another. I just take off the top and toss it. It takes me about 15 minutes to turn my 5 yard pile. The 3 tined pitch fork is easier but it takes too long for me.