Vegetable plants and weeds drain nutrients from the soil. And as if that wasn’t stressful enough, heavy rain or freezing wet conditions cause the ground to become harder and harder. For this reason, it is important to loosen up the heavily compacted soil again – just in time for the next season – with a garden claw, thereby airing it out and removing unwanted wild growth. Ideally, you then work some compost or fertilizer into the soil to supply and strengthen the soil with nutrients. In this article you will find out how to use the device correctly and how the common models differ.
The garden claw (also known as the earth claw) is a garden tool that is used to loosen and dig up the earth in a way that is gentle on your back. It consists of a long T-handle and a metal attachment, at the end of which – depending on the model – there are different numbers of tines. And this is how the garden claw is used correctly: Adopt an upright posture to prevent back pain, wrap your hands around both handles on the right and left of the handle and place the device on the ground. The garden claw is then stabbed into the ground using a twisting motion, turned again and pulled out. As the tines rotate, the soil and vegetation are broken up. Repeat the step until the soil is completely loosened. You can then use the device to incorporate fertilizer, compost or seeds into the soil.
Tip: When using it, make sure that the power comes from your arms.
In order to improve the water, oxygen and nutrient absorption of your soil, it makes sense to use a garden claw. Below we present four different models:
1. Garden Claw Original
This garden claw combines three advantages in just one device: It is height-adjustable (97 to 106 centimeters) and can therefore be optimally adapted to your body size. According to the manufacturer, the S-shaped handle is intended to ensure comfortable and natural handling. The claw head also has six different tines, each of which is inclined differently. This makes digging and loosening easier.
2. AnyTools Garden Claw
This red garden claw from AnyTools is equipped with five straight tines (each 14 centimeters long). It measures 96 centimeters in length, but cannot be adjusted in height. With a weight of 1.6 kilograms, this zinc version is one of the lighter ones, so less force is required to operate the garden claw. However, it also offers fewer adjustment options than other models.
3. Jardineer Gartenkralle
In contrast to the first two models, this garden claw from Jardineer has a non-slip base plate, which makes it even easier to penetrate the soil. The model is made of powder-coated steel and weighs (according to the manufacturer) 2.11 kilograms. It has six sharp arrow prongs and a curved handle, which is also intended to reduce the effort required. Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not reveal how long the handle is.
4. Acerto Garden Claw
This garden claw from Acerto with a robust T-crutch, forged in Bavaria (by the Krumpholz company), is truly unique, as no two models should be the same: According to the manufacturer, the four prongs are relatively short so that no roots of plants are damaged when digging are in the immediate vicinity. The handle measures 80 centimeters and is made of wood, so its height cannot be adjusted.
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