Okay, so, a few days ago I got this idea in my head. It was freezing cold outside, and I wondered, “Can you actually dig frozen ground with just a regular shovel?” I mean, it sounds tough, right? But I was curious, so I decided to give it a shot.
First off, I picked a spot in my backyard where I knew the ground was pretty solid. And the temperature was really low these days. Then, I grabbed my trusty old shovel, the one I use for gardening in the summer. I figured I’d start small, just to see what I was dealing with.
I cleared the dig site of snow and ice. This is for safety and productivity. Then I plunged the shovel into the ground, and… it barely went in. I mean, this ground was like concrete! I leaned on the shovel with all my weight, and it just wouldn’t budge. I tried a few more times, wiggling the shovel, trying to find a weak spot, but no luck. This was going to be harder than I thought.
Then I remembered something I’d read online about using hot water to thaw frozen ground. Sounded a bit crazy, but I was willing to try anything. I went inside and boiled a couple of gallons of water in a big pot. I poured the hot water slowly over the spot I was trying to dig. I did this a few times, letting the water soak in for a while between each pour.
- Boiled a couple of gallons of water.
- Poured it over the ground.
- Waited a few hours.
After a couple of hours, I went back out with my shovel. I dug in again, and this time, the shovel actually went into the ground! It was still tough, but I could definitely feel a difference. The ground was softer, more like really thick mud than solid ice.
So, can you dig frozen ground with a shovel? The answer, at least for me, is a very cautious yes. It’s not easy, and it definitely takes some extra effort, and the right tools. But with some hot water and a whole lot of patience, it can be done. Not sure I’d recommend it as a regular winter activity, but hey, at least I know it’s possible!
Maybe I should try to upgrade my equipment next time, especially using some compact tools. I have to say, it was totally worth it. Learned a lot!
