Also known as a spading fork, this tool is perfect for turning and aerating the soil, breaking up dirt clods, lifting rootcrops and moving heavy material such as manure and garden compost. The fork is usually equipped with four metal tines that can pierce dense soil matter, sliding through with relative ease. A garden fork can also cope easily with occasional buried rocks or roots and comes in useful for dividing clumps of perennials.

They are generally available in two sizes: standard (30x20 cm or 12x8 in) or the smaller border version (23x14 cm or 9x5 1/2 in). There is also a flat-tined style primarily designed for lifting potatoes; this may also be used for digging soil and moving compost.

When buying a garden fork, make sure that the head and neck is forged from one piece of metal. You should also look for a fork with a long neck; those with shorter necks tend to be much weaker.