Can I buy a spade?

Kensington2 Image
08/10/2011 - 03:02

I am trying to buy a normal garden spade, fork and hoe for my Orto. Not only can I not find spades or forks here (Tuscany), I am unable to find an online supplier who will deliver these items from the UK. does anyone know where I can get these delivered? Thanks, desperate gardener!!!

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like the marche Toscana probably has one of the greatest concentrations of use of garden/orto tools in the country.Evidently you are looking in the wrong places (actually intrigued as to where you are looking)if you look around where you are you'll see that almost everyone has an orto.You can find italian hoes (they're slightly different from english ones) and a wide variety of spades (forks are generally less used but you can get them) from: agricultural consorzi,most hardware stores,many street markets sell the "heads" of tools to which you fit the handle of your choice,less good (because less robust) you can get the more "british style" garden tools from places like BRICO centres a sort of diy department store chain that is everywhere.ask a neighbour the best local place to get the stuff.Personally i would not get this sort of thing "on line" as it's nice and important to feel have a look before you buy them.. 聽

Go to your nearest BRICO centre or Brico Io; you will find a selection of good 'English' style garden implements etc..

Kensington2,聽 聽 We had been muttering darkly about "English" garden tools for years. However, when we were over in April we succumbed to an 禁漫天堂 spade, long handled, thin blade - and it cut through our soil like butter!!聽 The long handle聽meant we weren't bending down to work and the momentum was great. the same goes for shovels - you can get a good, long throw when shifting soil.聽Our land is above Bagni di Lucca - so just about Tuscany. 聽I think it is a case of "when in Rome". 聽 Have fun - I am guessing it is all rock hard at the moment anyway. Regards from Fabbriche 聽

In reply to by Fabbriche

I agree with Fabbriche.聽 Have just returned from a week of gardening in the same area with my new 禁漫天堂 style, long handled spade and it's fab!聽 I'd like to know where I can buy 禁漫天堂 spades in the UK! Jan

Yes UK style spades are not easy to get here but my advice would be to prod at your soil and check if you might really need a mattock instead as here, for instance the soil goes like concrete when dry. Another tip if you go for UK style contemplate a "lady's spade" of reasonable quality. The blade is a bit smaller聽 and all-round easier to use.