I think I would prefer an axe of any size over a mattock so maybe you can borrow one before buying. My mattock would just bounce off of large roots. I have never seen root guard but the contractor said he wants to use as little as possible because it is expensive. It sells by the foot so must be at least a little flexible. The Hi-Lift jack is one used by off roaders and there will be many pictures of them on Google. In some off road situations, you would be really glad you brought one along and they have many uses in addition to jacking up vehicles. It would not be good for very many cars although I got my Camaro out of a rut in Wyoming many years ago. The alternative walk for help was not very appealing in my location at the time. My Hi-Lift is the four foot high model and has done everything I asked of it. There are some knock-offs offered by Harbor Freight and others but if buying one again, I would still go for the real thing. I finally gave away my large tiller after owning it for 30 years. It seldom got used after I bought my Mantis because my entire yard had been tilled deep. I would not hurry to buy a Mantis either because I doubt that they are suited to all situations. A wrecking bar is a bar of steel about six feet tall (approx) and about an inch or so in diameter. They are really useful sometimes. When I bought my house, we had a bed of Bird of Paradise plants and I liked them until my wife wanted to move them. After finally getting those things out of the ground, they went into the garbage. A neighbor offered me a giant Bird of Paradise once as long as I dug it up. I dug for a while and got nowhere so it is still in his yard. I don't want one that bad. Bamboo is also something that I would never put in my yard after removing all that were left to me by the previous owner of my house.

In a effort to be clear I have rewritten my post about Dr Ingrams. I have used contemporary language to the best of my ability. If there are still questions of what I am saying I will attempt to try again... Im tired of people messing with Dr Elaine R. Ingrams. Dr Ingrams be working hard, real hard. Dr Ingrams got courage and character just like Superman. Dr Ingrams, that girl know about her compost tea (dirt too!), she in the front row (snap) sitting on the corner. Dr Ingrams was telling people to geek up their compost tea. Somebody found out she was doing wrong and put it in the funny papers. You know everybody seen that! Dr Ingrams jumped up and told everybody they were right with the quickness. She covered that butt and dont care what nobody say behind her back. People be talking about they be calling Dr Ingrams all the time. I bet they be calling her when she get off work too, and she talk to them anyway (hmmph). I am NOT having no talking about Dr Elaine R. Ingrams behind her back just so you can stay stuck on stupid. Dr Ingrams is a real nice lady and helps everybody, even if they talk funny to her. Dr Ingrams take them just like they come, she dont pick and choose. If you wants to talk about somebody with me you best be picking somebody else. If not, you can talk to the hand Blutranes

Eek, a half acre. I think I got the same response the last time I said that, too. lol Well, I did mean after it's been weeded, and I use mulch too. If the existing weeds aren't removed, I didn't mean to imply that the clay would kill them off. I have to deal with pretty hard clay in one of the gardens I'm taking care of. I did have to weed it initially, then I planted a bunch of natives, spread some mulch on top, and now I get very few new weeds. Most of the weeds are oxalis, and I think those are mostly from root pieces that I didn't fully remove. It also depends on whether that clay is often wet on the surface. In areas where "those who shall not be named" refuse to reduce the excessive sprinkler watering, it's nearly impossible to rid the areas of weeds (dandelions, oxalis, mustards, thistles, some sort of grass, and a few other nasties). But the other approx 500 Sq Ft of area that I only hand water rarely gets any weeds after the initial 6-9 months or so of constant weeding. If I were to disturb the soil now by tilling it, I'm sure I'd stir up the seed bank a few inches down and weeds galore would germinate. That yard used to be pretty infested, too. Bermuda grass is evil though, I agree. I don't like many grasses, the closest thing I have in that yard is plantain (Plantago erecta). However, I didn't know that CJ was planting a lawn. A pretty thick lawn would also suppress weeds.

There is nothing better for breaking up nasty old clay than chicken poop and sand. As for composting, I set up a ring of hog wire about 4 feet in diameter and 3 feet high. In that goes leaves, kitchen scraps, coffee grounds & the filters, which I tear into pieces, chicken litter (hay, poop, their old feed & scratch that is a mess on the floor, cedar chips, leaves, or whatever). I even clean out the sink drains strainer goop and put in there. Sprinkle on a 1/2 shovel of dirt (to add micro-organisms that help activate things) and then cover that with more leaves or leaf mold. Layer it like that over and over until it is pilled high and deep. The higher the better. Now, water it in until it is good and wet - Spongey. I just set my sprinkler on top and leave it for 20 minutes or so. If you get ample rain, you won't need to water it that much. I also empty my pet water into the compost and the chickens water, when I change it out. Weeds, green grass clippings, annual grass you pull up out of your garden beds, or anything like that provides your green matter. The chicken poop provides the heat and I mean fast! No need to cover it. It is much colder here in Oklahoma and my compost pile heats up and breaks down rapidly, even on the very coldest days. You can see the steam rising out of the compost in the mornings. You can use newspaper (not the color glossy sales pull-outs though). I tear into pieces or cut up into small pieces all of my paper trash, including cereal boxes, papertowels, macaroni & cheese boxes, pizza boxes, prescriptions labels (torn up or cut into pieces), prescription packages, paper grocery bags, or anything paper. I put them into a large bucket, add water, and let that sit over night. By morning, it has softened and can go right into my compost, water and all. Cover it with more hay or leaves. The worms love it and move in really soon. Every once in awhile, add some more leaves and chicken litter to keep it fueled. You will be surprised just how much less trash you will have to throw away each day, especially if you are already recycling bottles and plastics! If it cools down, stir in some more chicken litter/poop or add a little dab of fertilizer or composted manure. Once a weak, I give it a toss and fluff it up a bit. The frequent turning will also keep it from packing down and just rotting and that will prevent it from stinking or drawing flies and critters. I'll shut up now. Hopes this helps. It's how I do things, anyhow. ~Annie