Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Strong metal tines and a heavy head mean less force is needed to dig out dirt clods and rocks.
(Photo courtesy of Brannan Sirratt)
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All tools with angles like a rake, spade, and shovel should be placed carefully when not in use. You know
the cartoons where the gardener steps on the rake and it smacks him in the face? Don't be that guy.
Fencing and Miscellaneous Homestead Tools
There are a lot of other tasks around the backyard farm other than just gardening, and basic build-
ing and fence building seem to be never-ending. These tools are items you'll use again and again to
build or repair your fences and outbuildings.
Posthole Digger
This awkward-looking contraption is used to dig a deep hole straight into the ground at any kind
of depth. A posthole digger has two handles and a pincher mouth at the end with two moveable
pieces. You press the handles together, which forces the mouth pieces apart, and drive them into
the ground with force, then pull the handles apart, pinching the jaws shut, which will close up and
hold a chunk of sod and dirt. Lift the jaws (don't let them come apart and drop your dirt!) and
move the dirt to the side, closing the handles back together as you do to open the jaws and release
the dirt. This process repeats until the hole is as deep as needed for your fence post. Most fence
posts are set at a depth of 2 feet. That's really deep to try to dig with a shovel, so a posthole digger
is a must.
