Last year, I found myself in the odd situation of giving a neighbour a lesson in digging technique! It is possible to make digging very, very difficult - if you really try. I watched my neighbour's style - it might have mixed concrete, but it was a back-breaker for the garden. As he learned!
So, for anybody who thinks I'm mad in enjoying digging, try Salami-style.
Before you start - is the soil right for digging? It needs to be neither cloggy wet, nor iron dry.
- For salami, you need a clean, sharp knife.
- Is your spade bright and clean?
- For salami, you cut straight down in thin, even slices.
- Lift your spade, and let it fall vertically - let your foot and body carry through on the push into the soil.
- How thick a slice? I start with a 4-5 inch slice; as I get into the rhythm, I work up to thicker slices (but never more than 8 inches). The thicker the slice, the harder the work - don't be over-ambitious.
- Adjust the slice to what you're digging - in tough soil, it's quicker and less work to do two rows of 4 inch slices, than to do one of 8 inch slices!
- That slice is what's called a spit.
- For salami, you lever the slice away from the sausage with the knife blade.
- Push the spade handle down, to lever the spit away from the undug soil.
- And the gentle flick of the wrist flips a new slice on to the pile. You don't lift each slice individually on to the pizza - at least, I don't!
- Try a "flick" move for the spade - swing forwards slightly, and turn the spade.
- The main movement is in the hand at the top of your spade, not the one just above the blade.
- All going well, you'll flip the slice forward slightly and over, leaving an empty space for the next slice.
I suspect "handed-ness" may have something to do with "easy" digging. I'm right-handed, and
- my right hand is usually at the top of the spade, levering and flicking.
- my left hand, down at the blade end, is just a balance point, a fulcrum. It faces palm backwards, palm over the shaft. I find trying to dig with palm facing forwards, holding below the handle, changes my digging from "twist and flick", to "lift and throw".
The digging is still hard work, and this sort of "slice-and-turn" action will NOT prevent you straining your back. Take the chance to watch some of the older lads on your site - especially the fastest and nimblest diggers among.