Anyone have this shovel?

angelsmile

Or a cheaper/better alternative?

 Going to be doing some serious digging out of junipers as soon as they mark off my gas lines next week.  I also have an axe handy.  I freaking hate junipers.

~NB~

In Virginia- clay soil prevails! Make sure your shovel has a point (as opposed to flat tip).

You may find it impossible to break ground with a shovel. If this is the case, I use 2 tools for digging trees and shrubs: a mattock, and a spading fork.

This is a mattock:

http://williamthecoroner.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/mattock.jpg

This is a spading fork:

http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/shop_image/product/88d58234b22bb4504ab2ea067869fab6.jpg

Note that the fork has 4 FLAT (not round) tines.

Start by perforating the ground in a circle around the shrub. Circle it a few times, sinking the fork all the way. Then, come back in at an angle to try to lift the plant. Once again, move all around the shrub, and rock the fork back and forth, wiggle it from side to side, until the shrub is loose. If you can still can't lift it out, or there are so many roots that you can't even sink your fork, you'll need the mattock. Dig with the large fat blade. Forceful blows will chop right through tough roots.

Using the mattock is extremely strenuous. Doing it correctly requires you to use an enormous amount of strength. You'll need to take a break every few swings.

Have lots of water on hand, and wear gloves.

 

angelsmile

Damn, it's going to suck to do this twice.  I hate junipers (did I mention?) and these are 14 years old.  I won't dig out the whole thing b/c it's possible the roots are into or under my foundation at this point...I will dig pretty far away from the root ball and then chop them off.

~NB~

angelsmile:

Damn, it's going to suck to do this twice.  I hate junipers (did I mention?) and these are 14 years old.  I won't dig out the whole thing b/c it's possible the roots are into or under my foundation at this point...I will dig pretty far away from the root ball and then chop them off.

Twice? Why twice?

It's unlikely that the roots will be UNDER your house foundation; if they are that far removed from nutrient sources (air and water), they won't regenerate anyway.