The first tip lol

I have had problems getting the compost out of the large bags until I bought this:

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/oxo-good-.../tools/C/garden-gardening-tools/product/51010

It's excellent, it has a nice soft chunky handle that i can hold comfortably and just glides throught the compost and u can sit it down without spilling the compost as it has a flat bum. I have less sweeping up to do as I don't drop so much :hehe::gnthb:

 

That looks just the job. It's really only around the price of a good trowel. I know what you mean about sweeping up, anything that can lessen that chore the better.

 

At college we have a bit of pipe (with some of the top missing) which has been nailed to a tamper to create a scoop

 

Kelly, great idea. I looked at the site but unfortunately they are sold out but not to worry I remember I have a scoop that I gave to my son years ago for his fishing bait, will just have to commandeer it back again!