• Garden forks help work the soil.Garden fork leaning against greenhouse work bench image by Scott Latham from Fotolia.com
  
  Digging forks, known as garden, cultivating or spading forks, are intended for use in turning soil or compost, digging tubers and working in soil amendments. They are also used for soil aeration. They have heavier, larger diameter tines than manure forks (pitchforks). The slightly flat tines are for soil penetration but are still sharp. Most garden forks have wooden shanks with metal D-handles. Heavy-duty ones have metal shanks and D-handles with rubberized grips
  
  

Wear Protective Clothing

• Wear gloves and good work shoes or boots when using a garden fork. Tennis shoes and sandals offer no foot protection and may slip off the shoulders of the garden fork when you push.
  
  

Prevent Dehydration, Sunburn and Insect Bites

• If you dig for long periods, stop for breaks and drink plenty of water. Dehydration can occur even on cold days if you work up a heavy sweat and can make you dizzy. When working in an area where Lyme disease is prevalent. use insect repellent and tuck long pants into your socks. Use sunscreen and wear a hat to prevent sunburn.
  
  

Use Proper Posture

• You may want to wear a back brace to avoid strain, especially in heavy clay soils. Stretching before using your garden fork will help prevent muscle pulls. Switching sides helps keep you from straining one set of muscles. Bend at the knees rather than bending over when you lift forkfuls of soil.
  
  

Watch for Others

• Other people may come up unexpectedly behind or beside you, so keep an eye on your surroundings as you work. Adult-sized garden forks are heavy and hard for kids to hold. If you want to garden with your child, buy child-sized tools and supervise while they are being used. Always put your garden fork on the ground tines down in a spot where you won't trip over it if you have to use another tool. Put it away promptly when finished using it.
  
  

Keep Pets and Livestock Away

• Keep livestock and pets out of the work area. A spooked animal may lash out and injure you. Pets can be hurt if they run under the garden fork. They can also be injured chewing on the sharp tines or handle. Chewing can splinter wooden handles and make the tool unsafe for the user.
  
  

Check for Obstacles

• Check for overhead obstacles or in-ground wires before using the garden fork. Check the digging area for plastic sprinklers or water lines that can be pierced by the tines. Make sure there are no buried utilities like gas lines in the area.
  
  

Clean Your Fork

• Using your garden fork safely includes disinfecting it to avoid the spread of diseases from one plant or one location to another. Use a hot wash in soapy water, followed by drying to prevent rust. Follow the wash with a wipe-down with a 10-percent bleach solution or rubbing alcohol.
  
  

Keep Your Fork in Good Shape

• Inspect your fork before you use it each season for defects that may cause accidents. Periodic tine sharpening gives good soil penetration and helps prevent skidding or bouncing accidents.