Since I do not have the strength, I usually use a border fork first, then I have a shovel with a small scoop to take the soil out. And I also use a pick axe (mattock) from Home Depot, the one that I can handle. Also use a hoe (in Indonesian: pacul). Unfortunately I like roses so I have to do a lot of digging. --It helps to dig after a lot of showers, and wait until it is not so muddy--was very proud to dig out small volunteer trees with longer than a yard of roots without breaking them.
