Hi Karen
>> 'Advice from a local landscaper service? They are likely to know what works best, and is worst for the environment."
Actually, I meant more like what you said. "They are likely to recommend something very BAD for the environment".
They may not know what is good or bad for the environment, but if they suggest something cheap, fast and effective, the odds are against it being green.
If 6-8" deep is enough, I can do a wider area faster with a mattock than the spade. I'm not sure why, the spade is lighter. Sometimes a good mattock-swing will slice a fair number of roots 6-8" down. And I don't have to lever and lift.
If I have to "go deep", I usually start with a pick, then my "sharpshooter". Is this what you mean by a trenching shovel? It's one of my favorite tools. I can "double-dig" a bed or turn amendments in deeply with only one spade-bite.
P.S. Goodwill has 10-12" stainless steel kitchen knives for 69 cents. They are like the "trenching shovel" of trowels. Deeper and narrower.
