My Favorite Tool: The Mattock

Sometimes winter (cooler temps) can be a great time to dig and/or prep the ground for spring and summer plantings as long as the ground isn't hard but moist.Unfortunately, while digging in your garden you may strike tree roots and/or rocks, MATTOCK to the rescue. 

Warning:  when you run to Lowe's, Home Depot, or Ace Hardware to purchase one.  It's HEAVY.   

And when you handle it the way UK's Monty Don says would be best for women, you will receive a GOOD workout, so be ready, Girls. 

However, I'd advice you to steer away from using this great tool, if you have a weak back or weak anything. It takes strength to raise it. And you want to put lots of force behind bringing it down. Keep your eyes on the root so you don't miss (the way you'd throw a ball).  If you do miss the root, you'll waste energy.  And you'll feel it. 

Whether you're wrestling with large dead dry roots or live roots with smaller offshoots hunks of wood will fly, so wear safety glasses, Ladies. Moist roots may take more time to contend with.  Therefore, take five.  I want you to understand that the energy you'll use managing the mattock alone is tiring. 

If you're digging or busting up rock, the job may require a shovel as well.  Thankfully, (as the man shows in the pic above) a mattock supplies a pick opposite of the head for busting up rock like limestone (while wearing safety glasses).  

Unfortunately, harder rocks will need to be dug up.  You'll need to work around it with a shovel or even with your hands (wearing leather gloves)😁 to see how large the rock may be.  Then push the shovel's blade down under the rock's edge (far as it will go), put your foot on top of the shovel's blade to press the blade further under the rock. Finally, press the shovel's long handle toward the ground to raise the rock loose from the ground.  Then you'll possibly be able to lift it out. 😓 If not, keep working at it.  Sometimes rocks are much larger and/or heavier than you can imagine.  In that case, get help.

Nonetheless, the mattock is a great tool and my only "go-to" for removing large rocks/roots far from my new plantings.                                                   

                                                     Happy Workout/Gardening, Ladies!