This large, manual garden tool is designed to loosen and aerate soil deeply without turning or destroying soil structure.
A broadfork (sometimes called a U-fork or grelinette) has two long handles and a row of sturdy metal tines that are stepped into the ground using body weight, then rocked backward to loosen compacted soil.
It’s commonly used in raised beds and home vegetable gardens. Gardeners love broadforks because they do a lot of heavy lifting in the garden while reducing the burden on your body.
A broadfork improves soil health while avoiding many of the downsides of rototilling. Instead of flipping soil layers and bringing weed seeds to the surface, a broadfork loosens the soil while keeping beneficial microbes and natural soil layers intact.
What broadforks are especially useful for
Why Gardeners Love Broadforks
Better Soil Health Broadforking improves airflow and water movement while preserving soil biology and earthworm habitats.
Stronger Root Growth Loosened soil allows plant roots to grow deeper and access more nutrients and moisture.
Less Compaction Than Tilling Unlike a rototiller, a broadfork does not pulverize soil or destroy soil aggregates. It’s popular in regenerative and organic gardening for this reason.
Easier on the Back Because the tool uses leverage and body weight, many gardeners find it less strenuous than digging with a shovel.
Downsides (broadforks are not perfect for every situation)
How to Use a Broadfork -t he goal is to loosen the soil not flip it over.
See video on how to use here.
Best Time to Use One
Broadfork vs. Spade/Garden Fork/Digging Fork
A digging fork, is a heavy-duty gardening tool featuring a handle and several short, sturdy, flat tines. It is very similar to a pitchfork. It is specifically used for loosening, lifting, and turning over soil.
It’s commonly used in raised beds and home vegetable gardens. Gardeners love broadforks because they do a lot of heavy lifting in the garden while reducing the burden on your body.
A broadfork improves soil health while avoiding many of the downsides of rototilling. Instead of flipping soil layers and bringing weed seeds to the surface, a broadfork loosens the soil while keeping beneficial microbes and natural soil layers intact.
What broadforks are especially useful for
- Loosening compacted soil
- Aerating garden beds
- Improving drainage
- Preparing vegetable beds
- Breaking up clay soil
- Harvesting root crops
- Supporting no-till or low-till gardening
Why Gardeners Love Broadforks
Better Soil Health Broadforking improves airflow and water movement while preserving soil biology and earthworm habitats.
Stronger Root Growth Loosened soil allows plant roots to grow deeper and access more nutrients and moisture.
Less Compaction Than Tilling Unlike a rototiller, a broadfork does not pulverize soil or destroy soil aggregates. It’s popular in regenerative and organic gardening for this reason.
Easier on the Back Because the tool uses leverage and body weight, many gardeners find it less strenuous than digging with a shovel.
Downsides (broadforks are not perfect for every situation)
- They can be heavy (but there are lightweight options available)
- Very rocky soil can be difficult
- Large gardens may still require machinery
- Sandy or already-loose soil may not need broadforking at all
How to Use a Broadfork -t he goal is to loosen the soil not flip it over.
- Stand the tines upright on the soil
- Step onto the crossbar using your body weight
- Push the tines deep into the ground
- Pull the handles back toward you
- Lift and move backward a few inches
- Repeat across the bed
- Avoid working overly wet soil, which can damage soil structure.
See video on how to use here.
Best Time to Use One
- Spring before planting
- Fall for bed preparation
- After heavy compaction
- When starting new garden beds
Broadfork vs. Spade/Garden Fork/Digging Fork
A digging fork, is a heavy-duty gardening tool featuring a handle and several short, sturdy, flat tines. It is very similar to a pitchfork. It is specifically used for loosening, lifting, and turning over soil.
Popular Broadfork Options
Bully Tools Broad Fork $125
Easy Digging Raised Bed Broadfork $130
Meadow Creature Broadfork $140 and up
Treadlite Broadfork $195
Other options click here.
Broadfork Best Use chart to help you decide which to purchase
Photo courtesy of Treadlite