Select a sturdy shovel for your digging

The garden shovel is a tool that no gardener should be without. Your individual needs and budget will direct what kind of gardening shovel you should buy.

Shovel of the right size

If you are digging big holes, you should probably go for a long handled shovel with a large scoop, while short handles and small scoops are for less heavy work. Short handles / small scoops will also give you more control in small areas or when digging bulbs or plants beside other plants you do not want to hurt.

Sharp blades

The pointy blade is used to cut through dirt, roots, and other material. Make sure your shovel keeps a sharp blade. You can restore the sharpness of your blade at the hardware store or with a tool sharpener.

Foot force on the gardening shovel

There is typically a lip at the top of the shovel blade. This flat piece of metal is where you put your foot to putting more force into the digging. It is important that this lip is flat and does not dig into the sole of your boots.

Don't buy light

A light weight shovel is typically less sturdy than a heavy one. It is not uncommon that cheap, light weight shovels use low quality woods and metals, and that they will break or bend on heavy use. Make sure you test the scoop so that it is stiff and sturdy.

The shovel and the spade

A gardener normally has both a garden shovel and a garden spade, but what is the difference? Well, the shovel has a pointy blade while a spade has a flat blade. The spade is not meant for digging, but rather for working with the soil after it is already loose.

Photo by garrettwade.