Clay soils, when wet tend to be very difficult to work and when dry are hard to penetrate, but there is a point in between wet and dry where they are almost workable and that is the time to get as much organic matter worked into the clay. Eventually, and with much patience, your clay soil wil be workable.

I can sympathize, sometimes I have a hard time digging out large established plants from my clay soil also. Ditto things with big taproots like volunteer birch. Sometimes my garden claw is the only thing that works for me.

It's a weird-looking thing and my husband makes fun of me when I use it. I don't remember what brand it might be but I think they're all basically the same. I looks like the thing in the link.

Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: garden claw

I'll second the garden claw. The other nice thing about it is that you don't have to bend down to use it. My parents have heavy clay soil and the claw works well. You don't get much per bite but those bites add up...

Whiskey:

Not pneumatic, but here's a motorized shovel:

www.dynadiggr.com

Good luck...Mike

To add to what kimmsr's post, try thoroughly soaking the area 2 days prior to working the soil. If you have to, water 15 minutes, stop, another 15 an hour later, and so on. Clay can be very easy to work at the right moisture level. I have red clay that will bust i tiller tine when it's dry.

I have the big and small claw thing and I am going to check out renting a motorized shovel, I think that is what the garden guy was talking about.

question- how to I soak the ground for 15 min if it is on a hillside?

Thanks All

Check out the King of Spades, or other nursery digging spades. Make sure you get the foot pad. Your feet will thank you.

Among others, look at A.M. Leonard and Gemplers.

Myself, I go no where with my nursery spades. Does have a tendency to make dates kinda awkward, though.

I have seen a very cool air driven hand shovel. The company does tree and turf type tools but they also have a line of digging tools. Try Airtech Tools website, they are in Knoxville TN. It was a little pricey and you need an air compressor but the thing will dig in any soil without breaking your back.