Fit for purpose?

One of the problems with starting a plot is the cost associated with tools: this can be considerable. And it does pay to think carefully and to get the right tools for the job. This fork on the left lasted a couple of weeks - it was a cheap one that cost a few pounds and is designed for light occasional use, and it quickly broke when I used it for digging up some of the mightier weeds. The expensive one is not only a joy to use - it has also lasted longer - almost 8 months so far, it's also bigger and more lightweight to wield. There's a fundamental engineering concept here - "fitness for purpose" the cheap tool is fit for light work, but I think that for heavy use by a strong person digging an allotment, it simply is not fit for purpose. So I now keep the broken fork for small-area weeding between plants.

And this weed-block fabric below was not used properly: I had hoped it would stop the weeds growing around my gooseberry bushes - but it was so damn thin that they grew through it in a matter of weeks. It is supposed to be placed underneath something like gravel, so it was almost useless as a weed block in it's own right. Other things people use are carpets, cardboard and Mypex. Each has it's own pros and cons. Trouble with carpet is that it can contain some nasty fungicide chemicals which could get into the soil and then into crops... Cardboard can be used as a mulch, so I have heard: you can plant right through it by cutting small holes. Mypex has my vote from what I have seen of how others use it - it is strong. But if you want to plant through it - best way is to burn holes in it with a blowtorch which seals as it makes a hole, otherwise if you cut holes in it, over time it will fray. This allows this long-lasting material to be used over and over.