Spades, Shovels & Trowels
No garden shed is complete without a sturdy set of digging tools. Spades, shovels, and trowels are indispensable for tasks like breaking ground, moving soil, digging holes, and planting. While they may seem similar, each tool has unique features suited to specific jobs. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right implement for the task at hand.
Spades
A spade is a digging tool with a flat, rectangular blade and a straight edge. It's designed for cutting into tough soil or sod, making clean slices for edging beds, and digging holes for plants or posts. The blade is usually slightly curved and made of heavy-duty steel or carbon to withstand the pressure of being pushed into the ground with your foot. Spades come in several variations:
- Garden spade: A classic all-purpose tool with a generous blade for moving soil
- Digging spade: Has a pointed, tapered blade for easier ground penetration
- Border spade: Features a smaller, flat blade for precise edging and digging in tight spaces
- Drain spade: Extra-long and narrow for digging deep trenches
Shovels
Shovels are designed for scooping and moving loose materials like soil, mulch, gravel, or snow. They have a concave, angled blade with a rounded or pointed tip attached to a long handle. The curved blade holds more volume than a spade and allows for efficient lifting and throwing motions. Common shovel types include:
- Round point shovel: An all-purpose tool with a rounded blade for digging and scooping
- Square point shovel: Has a flat blade for scooping up or spreading materials
- Scoop shovel: Features a deeply curved blade with tall sides for moving large amounts of loose material
- Trenching shovel: Has a long, narrow blade for digging deep, confined holes
Trowels
A trowel is a small hand tool used for digging shallow holes, planting seeds or seedlings, and transferring small amounts of soil. It consists of a pointed, scoop-shaped blade attached to a short handle. Trowels are perfect for working in containers, raised beds, or other tight spaces where a larger tool would be cumbersome. Trowel varieties include:
- Hand trowel: The classic design with a concave blade for scooping and digging
- Transplant trowel: Has a long, narrow blade for digging deep holes for transplants
- Weeding trowel: Features a narrow, forked blade for prying out weeds
Choosing Quality Digging Tools
When shopping for spades, shovels, or trowels, look for tools with these quality features:
- Forged metal blades for strength and durability
- Sturdy, moisture-resistant handles made of hardwood, fiberglass, or coated steel
- Secure connection between blade and handle with rivets or welding
- Comfortable grips and good balance for easy handling
Investing in well-made digging tools will make your gardening tasks easier and more efficient. With proper care and storage, quality spades, shovels, and trowels can last a lifetime. Add this essential trio to your tool shed and be ready to tackle any digging job that comes your way!