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A Level engineering project

wkynastongvq_d5rVxwkynastongvq_d5rVx Posts: 9
in Problem solving
Hi All,
I am commencing an A-level Design Technology project and would like to gather some information about physical strain in gardening.
My final plan would supposedly be an item to make gardening easier, this information is very valuable in the development of the project. all I ask is for you to answer the three questions that are below
many thanks
Will

Questions
  1. Do you ever feel physical strain or aches while gardening, if so what?
  2. Any problems with the tools that you use?
  3. What is the longest and most tedious job that you do in the garden?

Posts

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    1, sore knees and other "getting old" aches
    2, Spades and fork handles being too short for taller people
    3, Waiting for things to grow.
    Devon.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    2. Tools aren't strong enough to deal with dry, heavy clay. And neither am I!
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • ERICS MUMERICS MUM Posts: 627
    1. Getting up after kneeling or sitting to weed, plant etc
    2.secateurs that need vice-like hands to cut through anything thicker than a twig.  
    3.mowing - why don’t they pick up all the trimmings instead of leaving 20% behind.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    The regulation DIBBER.  Seldom more than 12-13 inches high, i.e. wholly inadequate for making, say, 80-100 12 inch deep holes for leek seedlings unless one's back is bent to ground level.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    edited May 2022
    An old wooden spade or fork handle or a broomstick makes an excellent long dibber. You can whittle a sharper point with a knife if the soil's not loose enough for a blunt dibber (but be careful not to end up on the gardening injuries thread).
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    Didn’t know you had to make 12” holes for leeks,  I’ve only ever made 6”,  a long dibber is all I use. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    After a former career in Sales, I think it a shame that there's not a proprietary tool for the purpose.  I've designed (and made) my own, comprising an 80cm round steel T-bar for the said deep leek holes, a square pointed wooden one to accommodate tray plants without squeezing the peat block and damaging it, and a ready made ruler on its shaft for measuring distances between rows or plants within rows.  Such items would be an ideal birthday/Christmas gift for Dads and Granddads in place of ties and socks, but no manufacturer's interested.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    edited May 2022
    but not for Mums or Grannies? ;)
    Devon.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    Hostafan1  Said Mums and Grannies are usually easier to buy for?  I've never had a Granny and my Mum would be 114 today, so maybe I'm out of touch.
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