When it comes to spring cleaning, getting the best garden fork is one of the first of your garden tools you should be looking to update. While standalone aerators are worth considering if you have a lot of ground to cover, a garden fork can help aerate your flower patches or uproot any old plants that may need some care. You should have this handy tool in your garden, especially if you're looking to turn over lots of patches in the new season. Pair a decent fork with a garden spade, and you can get to work in no time.
Investing in a good garden fork is something that will save you money in the long run, as well as make your gardening experience far easier. From high-quality wooden handles to steel that stays sturdy, buying a good fork is well worth your money.
Best garden forks at a glance:
Before we dig into the best garden forks though, it's good to know exactly what you're looking for. Usually, on the end of a stick with four or eight points and a slightly curved head, garden forks are perfect for moving around soil, compost and garden mulch. Their spiked heads make it easy to move the most difficult soils. What you want to do with them is move over large parts of soil at a time, so if you have a bit of a larger garden patch that you’re changing, these can be really helpful.
Modern Gardens Magazine writer Geoff Stebbings has some expert advice about the best time of year to dig in the garden. Also, if you're a little unsure about the structure and type of soil in your garden, there's a handy guide in the FAQs below. Dig on!
How we chose the best garden forks
All of these garden forks have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the design, functionality, and usability in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching garden forks to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
Best garden forks
This Spear and Jackson Traditional Digging Fork has a mirror-polished stainless steel head, this allows for minimal soil adhesion and makes it rust-resistant. The hardwood shaft has been weather-proofed for durability.
This garden tool won the British Growing Awards in 2022 and has lots of top-rated reviews on Amazon with a total rating of 4.5 stars. Gardeners love this option for its ergonomic, wishbone handle.
Tried and tested by Modern Gardens Commerce Content Writer Amy-Mae Turner: "This Spear & Jackson fork is a timeless choice that boasts a traditional design that I think is really attractive. The mirror-polished stainless steel head contrasts with the English style, one-piece hardwood shaft. The shaft is riveted in two places and split to form a classic wishbone handle.
The shaft has been weatherproofed, so while I wouldn't leave this tool lying around in wet conditions, I would feel confident using it in damp weather. The handle doesn't have any kind of soft grip or textured finish, but I found it comfortable to use, although I should note I was wearing gardening gloves.
Aside from its looks, this fork is a pleasure to use. This is primarily designed for digging and turning over earth and other softer materials like sand or woodchip, which it will do very well. Spear & Jackson warns not to use this fork for digging out trees, rocks, or lifting heavy roots. If you're searching for a good-looking garden fork for average garden tasks like turning soil in flower and vegetable beds, this comes recommended."
Pros
- Comes with a 10-year guarantee
- Mirror-polished stainless steel head
Cons
- Not the most lightweight at nearly two kilograms
| Height: | 90.5cm |
| Material: | Stainless steel, hardwood |
| Weight: | 1.95kg |
Best garden fork with a lifetime guarantee
RHS/Crocus Want to really get your dig on? This Burgon and Ball Stainless Steel Digging Fork is endorsed by the RHS and has forged tines for extra strength. The mirror-polished finish reduces friction, making it incredibly easy to slide into the soil.
This has a total length of 11cm so you can avoid too much bending over, especially if you're a little taller than average. This has been strength-tested to over 100 kilograms and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Pros
- Comes with a lifetime guarantee
- Boasts a longer-length solid ash shaft
Cons
- Some reviewers say the handle is a little rough
| Height: | 111cm |
| Material: | Stainless steel, FSC-certified ash |
| Weight: | 2.12kg |
Best garden fork for light work
Kent & Stowe/B&Qwww.diy.com
This Kent and Stowe 70100006 Stainless Steel Digging Fork is for designed for cultivation, soil turning, aerating, and breaking up soil. It's made of stainless steel and hard ash wood, meaning it's going to last a long time.
It's also lightweight; in fact, it's 40 per cent lighter than Kent and Stowe's regular garden forks, so you can enjoy accessible gardening no matter who you are. Reviewers praise this tool for feeling well-balanced.
Pros
- High-quality digging fork from a trusted brand
- FSC-approved ash wood handle
Cons
- Not as robust as some heavier options
| Height: | 91.5cm |
| Material: | Stainless steel, ash wood |
| Weight: | 1.07kg |
Best carbon steel garden fork
Wilkinson Swordwww.diy.com
If you'd rather invest in a carbon steel option, this Wilkinson Sword Carbon Steel Border Fork is a great place to start. Under £30, it's good value for quality materials and is made with borders in mind.
It's perfect for digging up flowerbeds and cultivating soil, even if you are working in a confined space. This has an ash wood shaft and a long, extended socket to keep the head safely attached to the handle.
Pros
- Designed to be efficient in smaller spaces
- Versatile option for everyday garden tasks
Cons
- Carbon steel tines are not adhesion-free
| Height: | 95cm |
| Material: | Carbon steel, solid wood |
| Weight: | 1.55kg |
Best manure garden fork
Bulldog A manure, or mucking out, fork is the ideal garden tool to reach for if you need to lift and shift large amounts of loose or wet materials such as compost, manure, straw, and other animal bedding materials. This is because the widely positioned, angled tines are perfectly designed to insert into such materials.
This fork's tines are made from steel and have sharp points for better grip and penetration. They are angled for loading jobs. The lightweight shaft is crafted from American and German FSC-certified ash wood. This weighs in at 1.52 kilograms, so should be relatively comfortable to use even for longer periods.
Pros
- Lightweight at 1.5 kilograms
- Perfectly angled for lifting and shifting
Cons
- Not designed for everyday digging tasks
| Height: | 140cm |
| Material: | Steel, ash wood |
| Weight: | 1.52kg |
Best budget garden fork
Wickeswww.wickes.co.uk
Wickes' Carbon Steel Powagrip Garden Digging Fork is made from epoxy-coated carbon steel that's been hardened and tempered for strength and durability. The steel-cored shaft has been given a practical plastic coating.
With a very affordable price tag, this garden fork is ideal for occasional use - or for gardeners looking for a bargain. This "Powagrip" tool is named so thanks to the comfortable Y-dee handle that boasts a soft-grip finish.
Pros
- An affordable choice great for occasional use
- Soft-grip handle for comfortable and secure use
Cons
- No guarantee offered with this product
| Height: | 99.5cm |
| Material: | Carbon steel |
| Weight: | 1.5kg |
Best multi-use garden fork
Roamwild/AmazonLooking for a unique garden fork tool? This Roamwild Multi-Digger is made out of fibreglass, making it a super lightweight product that will not cause fatigue, even during prolonged use. The dual grip, with a handhold on the shaft, makes this an ergonomic choice.
This fork is shaped slightly differently from our other top choices, with wedge-shaped pointed times and unique angled soil chopping blades allowing you to easily dig through tough soil and break up lumps.
Pros
- Angled soil chopping blades to break up stubborn clumps
- Dual grip for a steady hold in tough conditions
Cons
- Shorter length than other garden forks
| Height: | 102cm |
| Material: | Fibreglass |
| Weight: | 1.6kg |
Best top-rated garden fork
GardenaThis Gardena fork is from the brand's "ErgoLine" range designed for maximum comfort. For this tool, this translates with an ergonomic plastic handle for good grip in any position and an ergonomic shaft design that helps reduce back strain.
This is designed for digging, removing roots, loosening soil, and other everyday garden tasks. The prongs are made from hardened steel with a coating to protect against corrosion. Additionally, this fork comes with a 25-year guarantee. While it's not cheap, it is built to last.
Pros
- Ergonomic design for comfortable use
- Comes with a 25-year guarantee
Cons
- Comparatively long length at 117cm
| Height: | 116.8cm |
| Material: | Metal, plastic |
| Weight: | 2.16kg |
Best lightweight garden fork
Draper/AmazonAmazon has a variety of options with different price points, but this Draper 88791 Carbon Steel Garden Fork is from a well-trusted brand, and for around £20, you're getting your money's worth.
It's made out of carbon steel that's fully tempered like other forks and has four strong times for getting through tough points. The steel shaft is plastic coated for practicality and this features a plastic Y-dee handle.
Pros
- Great mid-range, all-rounder option
- The tines are crafted from epoxy-coated carbon steel
Cons
- The handle does not have a soft-grip finish
| Height: | 100cm |
| Material: | Carbon steel |
| Weight: | 1kg |
Best garden fork and spade set
Draper/Amazonwww.therange.co.uk
If you need to stock up on more than one garden tool, why not invest in a garden and spade set? The Draper 83971 Carbon Steel Garden Fork and Spade Set is perfect for anyone getting started on the gardening front, with dual tools you'll be set to dig around your garden, no matter the task.
This robust toolset gives you traditional Y-dee handles. The blade of the spade and the tines of the fork are fully hardened and tempered to ensure easy ground penetration. This is a good value choice from a trusted brand.
Pros
- Good value combination set giving you two tools
- Comfortable plastic Y-dee handles
Cons
- Not ideal for taller gardeners
| Height: | 100cm |
| Material: | Carbon steel |
| Weight: | 1kg |
Our Verdict: What is the best garden fork?
We choose the Spear and Jackson Traditional Digging Fork as an ergonomic, good value, well crafted and durable tool for general use in the garden. It's mid-range in price and has received resoundingly positive reviews on Amazon. Spear and Jackson are a long-established brand and have been selling steel tools since 1760.
FAQs: Best garden fork
What should I think about when buying a garden fork?
Every gardener is different so you’ll want to be sure that you grab a garden fork that suits your needs. Material, size, weight and height are all the various things that you want to keep an eye out for.
Material: This can be the make or break of a long-lasting garden fork that works over the years. Look for options with stainless steel and hardwood for high-quality results. Make sure to store your tools in your garden shed, or at least cover your tools in the winter and rainy seasons to lengthen their life span.
Size and weight: If you’re an experienced gardener, you may not feel the heaviness of a bigger fork. On the other hand, if you struggle with heavy tools or just want something that’s not so substantial, go for a lightweight option.
Height: Garden forks also come in a range of full-lengths and it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the height of your fork so you’re not getting something that’s too large or small for you.
What's the difference between a digging and a border fork?
While you can use either for general gardening tasks, there are subtle differences in design between digging and border forks. Modern Gardens contributor Geoff Hodge explains what they are.
"Traditional digging forks have a wide head of long tines and fairly long shaft. Most suppliers produce both digging and border forks with a choice of carbon steel or stainless steel tines."
"Border forks have a narrower head than a digging fork and shorter tines and shaft. They’re better suited for use in tight spaces, or for those who need a shorter fork. Because they’re smaller, they’re lighter too."
When's the best time of year to dig in the garden?
Autumn means digging to most gardeners, a time to prepare the garden for spring. Traditional advice tells us to get the digging done by the New Year. But why do we dig, and why now? Modern Gardens Magazine writer Geoff Stebbings says that autumn is when most people dig, and it is the best time to work heavy clay soils.
"Heavy clay soils are left rough over winter, so frost can break down the lumps into finer particles. If you add organic matter, it leaves plenty of time for it to mix with the soil before you rake it down in spring. The soil is also drier in autumn, so you will do less damage to heavy soils than in the depths of winter. It is not soil structure but nutrients that are the issue with the light, sandy soils. If you dig in autumn, there is more danger of nutrients leaching, so it is best to leave these till spring to dig."
"Instead, mulch so winter rains don’t damage the soil structure and dig these in spring. Even better, sow green manures in autumn, which stabilises soil structure and dig these in spring. They will add organic matter and help retain nutrients, especially nitrogen, which is leached from all soils in winter."
"Digging over the plot clears away annual weeds, and allows us to remove perennial weed roots and to mix in organic matter, thus improving the depth of the fertile topsoil. Worms will drag some organic material down into the soil but digging is quicker and will take the material down deeper. Plants will only grow and produce roots in the topsoil, the fertile upper zone."
What is soil structure?
"Soil structure is how the particles in the soil are arranged and the spaces between them, which can be filled with air or water. Clay soils have small particles, and these can easily be squashed as you walk on them, making raised beds a good solution. Digging, at least in the early years, is advisable to incorporate organic matter, which helps the soil develop a crumb structure and keep air spaces, improving drainage. Digging in sand or grit also ‘opens up’ the soil on a more permanent basis. Organic matter also sticks together the large particles in sandy soils and helps retain moisture."
What can I add to my soil to improve it?
"Bulky organic matter is beneficial to all soils, improving both drainage and moisture-holding capacity. It ‘opens up’ heavy soils, encourages a crumb structure and enriches sandy, poor soils. As it decomposes, it also retains plant nutrients. Most organic matter also contains plant nutrients, but some are not as rich in plant nutrients as often thought, so they are best used in large amounts as soil conditioners and not sprinkled on as fertilisers."
"Garden compost, if well made, is useful and beneficial and contains nutrients. It has a big advantage in that it is just where you want it and free. Well-rotted manure is another good option if you can get it in bulk. To avoid is wood shavings or sawdust unless you can leave them to decompose for several years. Any woody material, including un-composted bark or shredded branches, has problems because it can take years to decompose. Additionally, it can rob nitrogen from the soil if it is dug in raw. It can be used if composted with grass cuttings or other soft material for several years."
"Leaves are falling off trees and shrubs now and these make great leafmould. Rake them up or mow them off the lawn and pack into hessian bags or put on the compost heap for a great mulch in a year’s time, or fine leafmould for digging in the next year. You may be able to get other materials locally such as mushroom compost."
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Caitlin Casey is a Commercial Content Writer for Bauer writing across brands like What's The Best, Yours, Mother&Baby, Heat and Closer. She has written across various platforms and publications since 2017. Her passions include researching women’s lifestyle, popular culture and all things trending.