Help! I can’t dig in my yard...ground too hard!

*Dearly Depotted* · 06-09-2021, 01:49 PM

I am just now staring to get around to digging up my yard for a garden. Yeah I know I’m a little late! Anyway, I just went out to dig up the grass and I couldn’t believe it! The ground is too hard for my square shovel to dig. The ground must be too dry or something. It’s rained a lot lately so it shouldn’t be dried out. What can I do?

sirdoofus · 06-09-2021, 01:54 PM

Rent a big rototiller?

sirdoofus · 06-09-2021, 02:04 PM

Or do a sheet mulch garden!

*Dearly Depotted* · 06-09-2021, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirdoofus

Rent a big rototiller?

Yeah I’d like to do that but I think my yard has too many tree roots to do that. I’d be afraid I’d break the rototiller! Thanks for the help! It is a good idea!

edwmax · 06-09-2021, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Dearly Depotted*

I am just now staring to get around to digging up my yard for a garden. Yeah I know I’m a little late! Anyway, I just went out to dig up the grass and I couldn’t believe it! The ground is too hard for my square shovel to dig. The ground must be too dry or something. It’s rained a lot lately so it shouldn’t be dried out. What can I do?

You need a round pointed shovel. The square shovel is for loose dirt; very soft ground; sand; or floor cleaning. ... You might also need aMatlock or a Grubbing Hoe to assist with the shovel and cutting roots.

I think the suggestion of renting a tiller (24" front tine tiller) would be the best for you.

Checker55 · 06-09-2021, 10:11 PM

Read this in Mother Earth magazine many years ago. Poke some holes in the ground and put some seed corn in each of the holes . Let a couple of hogs loose in the area and they will root up and till it for you.

Snarkie · 06-14-2021, 06:53 AM

Hey Mary-

First off, you need to let the ground thaw out.

As was mentioned, you are using the incorrect shovel. A spade is what you need, and a mattock works wonders for busting up hard soil. Matlock was the Perry Mason knockoff. I would say though, that you might have a bit of an issue using a mattock, so...

However, the small size of your yard and the hard soil makes your spot a perfect candidate for raised beds, as I mentioned to you several months ago. If you have an issue with tree roots, particularly maples, they are going to love soft garden soil, so line it with landscaping fabric to help hold them back.

If you don't want to go the raised route, then getting someone with a tiller will be the way to go. I'm sure someone nearby has one, if you slip them a few bucks.

Snarkie · 06-14-2021, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Checker55

Read this in Mother Earth magazine many years ago. Poke some holes in the ground and put some seed corn in each of the holes . Let a couple of hogs loose in the area and they will root up and till it for you.

That's kind of like calling the Feds and telling them your neighbor is hiding drugs in his firewood. They'll split it all up looking for the drugs inside.

*Dearly Depotted* · 06-17-2021, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Checker55

Read this in Mother Earth magazine many years ago. Poke some holes in the ground and put some seed corn in each of the holes . Let a couple of hogs loose in the area and they will root up and till it for you.

The pigs would do all the work and I could just sit back and relax! I like that idea!

*Dearly Depotted* · 06-17-2021, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwmax

You need a round pointed shovel. The square shovel is for loose dirt; very soft ground; sand; or floor cleaning. ... You might also need aMatlock or a Grubbing Hoe to assist with the shovel and cutting roots.

I think the suggestion of renting a tiller (24" front tine tiller) would be the best for you.

Thanks for explaining about what the square shovel is for! I honestly didn’t know that! Yeah I think you’re right I’ll have to use the round shovel! Plus I am now looking into renting a tiller! Thanks for also mentioning the 2 other things I need as well for the roots! Appreciate the help!

*Dearly Depotted* · 06-17-2021, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snarkie

Hey Mary-

First off, you need to let the ground thaw out.

As was mentioned, you are using the incorrect shovel. A spade is what you need, and a mattock works wonders for busting up hard soil. Matlock was the Perry Mason knockoff. I would say though, that you might have a bit of an issue using a mattock, so...

However, the small size of your yard and the hard soil makes your spot a perfect candidate for raised beds, as I mentioned to you several months ago. If you have an issue with tree roots, particularly maples, they are going to love soft garden soil, so line it with landscaping fabric to help hold them back.

If you don't want to go the raised route, then getting someone with a tiller will be the way to go. I'm sure someone nearby has one, if you slip them a few bucks.

Yeah I did totally forget about the going the raised beds way! Oops! I’ll definitely use raised beds next year! It is possible to go that route this year though.... Thanks for reminding me! Yeah maybe the mattock would be too hard for me to use. Well, I am certainly happy to have a few options to do for the garden this year! Thanks so much as always Doug!

06-09-2021, 01:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Dearly Depotted Find me on the map! Zone: 6A Name: Mary Join Date: Sep 2020 Posts: 646 BananaBucks : 133,095 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 607 Times Was Thanked 443 Times in 302 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Help! I can’t dig in my yard...ground too hard! I am just now staring to get around to digging up my yard for a garden. Yeah I know I’m a little late! Anyway, I just went out to dig up the grass and I couldn’t believe it! The ground is too hard for my square shovel to dig. The ground must be too dry or something. It’s rained a lot lately so it shouldn’t be dried out. What can I do? __________________ It’s long been a dream of mine to be able to grow real bananas off my own plants! So, please wish me luck on my quest to fulfill that dream!

06-09-2021, 01:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
sirdoofus Location: Central Vancouver Island, BC Canada Find me on the map! Zone: AgCan 7b, USDA 6b Name: Mike Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 1,090 BananaBucks : 38,841 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,225 Times Was Thanked 1,277 Times in 634 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 98 Times	Re: Help! I can’t dig in my yard...ground too hard! Rent a big rototiller? __________________ Who keeps calling me nuts??

06-09-2021, 02:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
sirdoofus Location: Central Vancouver Island, BC Canada Find me on the map! Zone: AgCan 7b, USDA 6b Name: Mike Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 1,090 BananaBucks : 38,841 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,225 Times Was Thanked 1,277 Times in 634 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 98 Times	Re: Help! I can’t dig in my yard...ground too hard! Or do a sheet mulch garden! __________________ Who keeps calling me nuts??

06-09-2021, 10:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Checker55 Location: North Hollywood CA. U S A Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 68 BananaBucks : 7,499 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 176 Times Was Thanked 70 Times in 40 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 160 Times	Re: Help! I can’t dig in my yard...ground too hard! Read this in Mother Earth magazine many years ago. Poke some holes in the ground and put some seed corn in each of the holes . Let a couple of hogs loose in the area and they will root up and till it for you.

06-14-2021, 06:53 AM	#7 (permalink)
Snarkie The Cat Whisperer Location: Charlotte, NC Zone: 8b, pushing 9a Name: D.A. Hänks Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,119 BananaBucks : 189,962 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1,218 Times Was Thanked 1,976 Times in 1,145 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,049 Times	Re: Help! I can’t dig in my yard...ground too hard! Hey Mary- First off, you need to let the ground thaw out. As was mentioned, you are using the incorrect shovel. A spade is what you need, and a mattock works wonders for busting up hard soil. Matlock was the Perry Mason knockoff. I would say though, that you might have a bit of an issue using a mattock, so... However, the small size of your yard and the hard soil makes your spot a perfect candidate for raised beds, as I mentioned to you several months ago. If you have an issue with tree roots, particularly maples, they are going to love soft garden soil, so line it with landscaping fabric to help hold them back. If you don't want to go the raised route, then getting someone with a tiller will be the way to go. I'm sure someone nearby has one, if you slip them a few bucks. __________________ Doug (D.A. Hänks) http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2955582/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 The Only Eastern Redwood Forest in America "Nuke my 'nanners, will you?!"

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