Trouble digging

I wonder if you can help me...I have alot of toruble digging using a spade or fork...I don't know whether i haven't enough strength or haven't enough weight or if its just the clay soil...I am trying to make some flower borders around my garden but have no success due to the above problem...Is there an alternative to using a spade or fork and what would be the easiest way to tackle this problem...thanks anyone who can help
xxx

 

Hi Julien

You could try using a post hole digger (like 2 spades in the shape of a pair of scissors!), check out the links below - can make it a bit easier, if you don't want to buy, you can hire them from your local tool hire shop.
http://www.tooled-up.com/MicroCategory.asp?CID=3&SCID=373&MCID=1591

http://search.ebay.co.uk/post-hole-digger_W0QQfkrZ1QQfnuZ1QQfromZR8

 

You could hire a turf cutter and rotovator for the weekend. They are still hard work to use but much quicker and easier than digging. Alternatively bribe someone big and strong to do the digging for you. I find beer and roast chicken dinners do the trick. :D

 

Clay is very heavy to dig, I found it hard work because I was trying to take too big a lump of soil. Now I don't try and dig up more than 2" at a time and don't push the fork all the way down, dig so far then have another go to get the full depth. There are spades on the market with automated bit on them so all you have to do is push them in and they do the difficult bit with levers and things but they are very heavy and not easy to come by.

 

Thanks to all three of you for your replies...I think i might go with revin helens idea first as this seems the cheapest option up to now...I know it'll take time but i shall persevere...and it will hopefully look better by next year.
Thanks again
Julie X