Oh, Fork!

sylvanb · #1 09-14-2001, 12:31 PM

Started to dig out an overgrown iris. Inserted spading fork. Snap. Left with handle in hand, tines in ground.

Any recommendations for a good sturdy spading fork that doesn't cost, erm, the earth?

I'm off to the mama site to check 'em out.

**jgibson2**[$] · #2 09-14-2001, 04:17 PM

I have 2 that I like. I don't think you can get the one from Lands End any more, but if you can it's my favorite - hands down.

The other one I like because it's really lightweight (nylon) and I can trust my 6 year old with it. It works almost as well as the Land's End aluminum fork. Also, neither will rust. The nylon fork is by Fiskars. Yes, I reviewed it, no I didn't review the Lands End fork, but it's aluminum with a soft molded handle.

purplewiz · #3 09-14-2001, 05:11 PM

My favorite tools so far are all "Union Tools" that I picked up at the Home Depot. They seem to be sturdy and they aren't overly heavy.

But can I ask about the iris? I also have an overgrown iris I need to do something about soon, and I have NO IDEA what I'm supposed to do. I was going to wing it, since a web search wasn't any help, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

sylvanb · #4 09-14-2001, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by purplewiz
My favorite tools so far are all "Union Tools" that I picked up at the Home Depot. They seem to be sturdy and they aren't overly heavy.

But can I ask about the iris? I also have an overgrown iris I need to do something about soon, and I have NO IDEA what I'm supposed to do. I was going to wing it, since a web search wasn't any help, but I figured it couldn't hurt to ask.

Thanks! Home Depot is so handy!

Iris: Late summer or early fall (like, now) dig up the whole clump. You may need a backhoe, or at least a young male gorilla for this. You will certainly need a serious fork and/or spade. Break the yam-things (rhizomes) apart, toss the tired old ones from the middle. This whole operation may require a spade, a knife, a hatchet, and/or your bare or gloved hands. Replant the rhizomes in clusters, give the extras to your neighbors if you haven't already alienated them with your gifts of zucchini. Expect to do it again in a few years.

I like http://www.gardenweb.com/ forums a lot, although a quick peek suggests that current iris threads are for the serious iris maven.

Mrsfitts · #5 09-14-2001, 06:07 PM

I've grown Iris for years, and because we have such Clay Soil (the kind that the Indians made adobe buildings out of) we have to plant our Bearded Iris (the Dutch Iris & Spanish and English & Wedgwood and Reticulatas are all bulbs and the Iris rhizomes that have more fibrous roots -Japanese Iris love wet, marshy ground) with part of the hump of the rhizome exposed. This makes for extremely easy digging up for division come the end of Summer!

According to my Western Garden Book:

Bearded Iris need good drainage, full sun in cool climates, light shade in the hottest areas (I grew mine under the branches of a Corkscrew willow -that provided dappled shade -when I lived in Modesto -avg Summer day near 100). Plant between July 1st & October 31; In cold-winter climates the earlier part of this season is safer. Near coast, plant any time during this period. Set rhizomes 1-2 ft. apart with tops just below surface. Spread roots well. Rhizomes grow from end with leaves; point that end in direction you want growth to take.

In autumn remove old or dry leaves. Where winters are severe, mulch plantings to prevent alternate freezing, thawing.

We have several famous Bearded Iris gardens in my area. I've been given hundreds of plants over the last 20 years, and I think I've given away as many!

Happy Gardening
Pam
(who's planting by proxy for the next year or so)