In article , Jan
writes
"Jane Ransom" wrote in message
...
The best thing is a tool that removes a plug of earth, rather than
squashing the soil to one side, to make a hole.

Jane, B&Q has a large tool that has a handle with 6 small hollow thingies on
the bottom that remove plugs of earth. You hold the handle and I assume
stand on a metal bar to push the hollow thingies into the soil. Is that the
tool you mean? It's a big metal thing about 3'x1'. I almost bought it
today but I thought that if it's anything like my bulb digger that the plugs
of soil would just get jammed up inside each hollow thingie.

That's the thing.
You will notice that the tines are of a smaller diameter at the bottom
than the top, the theory being that as new stuff goes in the bottom it
shoves the old stuff out of the top. It works quite well if your soil is
not too stoney or dry or wet!!!!!!!!!! You can either sweep up the plugs
and put them in the compost or leave them to work their way back into
the soil. As spiking should be done in autumn this isn't as stupid as it
sounds - no worse than worm casts!
The only problem with the things is that they are not very robust. The
spousal unit has had to have ours re-welded several times
--
Jane Ransom in Lancaster.
I won't respond to private emails that are on topic for urg
but if you need to email me for any other reason, put ransoms
at jandg dot demon dot co dot uk where you see