Best Spade At The Moment

Cultivation, terracing, contouring, drainage, and other garden-related tasks all benefit from the use of garden spades. A garden spade is… Don’t refer to it as a shovel; the spade is a different tool entirely. For the most part, it’s an indispensable tool for gardeners. Incorporating ergonomic design principles into commonplace objects like garden spades has made them not only more pleasant to use, but also more accessible to people with a variety of physical limitations and occupational stresses. Most of us understand the purpose of a shovel, but what exactly is a garden spade used for? To begin, a spade differs from a shovel in that it has a shorter, typically 4-foot (1-meter) handle and a flattened, rectangular blade. The blade of a garden spade is perfectly shaped for cutting sod, reshaping beds, and digging out deeper planting holes; this tool is used for light cultivation rather than earth moving. Numerous specialty spades exist, each designed to perform a unique task. There are a wide variety of handle and blade materials to choose from.

Burgon & Ball GTB/SSBRHS RHS Stainless Border Spade

Digging in tight spaces is a breeze with the Burgon & Ball GTB/SSBRHS RHS Stainless Border Spade (£38 on Amazon). For people with back issues or those who just prefer a shorter tool, the lightweight design is ideal. This lightweight and versatile Burgon & Ball spade is 98 centimetres in length. It has a breaking strain of up to 90 kg, which is approximately twice as much as the current British norm. The rust-proof stainless steel head has a mirror finish and looks great. The blade’s broad tread at its apex allows for faster digging with less fatigue. The tool’s FSC-approved wooden handle, which can be held in either of two ergonomic ‘Y’ shapes, rounds off the set. The base of the blade and the handle are doubly riveted for reinforcement. The Royal Horticultural Society, the world’s premier gardening organisation, recommends and guarantees this stainless steel border spade for life.

Kent and Stowe VBPHUKA1248 Carbon Steel Digging Spade

This spade was made using time-honored methods, so you know it’s sturdy and attractive. All of the products in the line are based on nineteenth-century garden tool designs but are made using cutting-edge technology. The Ash used in the grip has been certified as being safe for the forest. A blade made of carbon steel will last a long time without breaking. Because of its wider tread edge, it provides more digging comfort. The spade’s bigger crank means more power. Its general balance makes it comfortable to hold for long periods. If you need to dig a huge hole, turn the soil, or increase drainage, then pick up a Kent and Stowe Digging Spade. The Kent and Stowe VBPHUKA1248 Carbon Steel Digging Spade was created in the UK and has a 10-year guarantee.

Kingfisher CS570 Digging Spade

The Kingfisher CS570 Digging Spade is a good option if you need a traditional spade for common gardening tasks. For just £15, it’s also cheap. The big 17-centimeter carbon steel blade makes quick work of shovelling mulch, sand, and dirt. The D-shaped, cushioned handle makes carrying and carrying out tasks a breeze. This spade may weigh in at 1.9 kilogrammes, but the load is distributed evenly. The Kingfisher CS570 is a medium-sized spade, perfect for any garden at 100 centimetres in length.

OX OX-T281101 Trade Solid Forged Treaded Digging Spade

It’s beautifully made, being constructed out of powder coated steel and measures a respectable 104 centimetres in length. The 18-centimeter-long blade is made from solid metal, and its treaded design allows for more forceful digging. D-Grip handles combine wood and steel to maximise comfort in the user’s hand. The OX OX-T281101 Trade Solid Forged Treaded Digging Spade is a good option if you need a sturdy spade with a lot of bite.

GARDENA ErgoLine Spade

With a length of 117 centimetres and a weight of less than 2 kilogrammes, this spade boasts a blade made of hardened steel and a premium coating. With a wider foot tread, you won’t have to worry about sliding and can make the most of each step. You can loosen and move dirt quickly and easily, and digging into the earth is a breeze. The ergonomically designed D-Handle is unusually broad so it can be held with both hands, making it a safer and more practical tool. When you’re standing in any posture, the oval design of the shaft will provide you with extra stability. You won’t need to constantly reposition your hands because to the generous plastic covering. For digging, lifting, loosening, and moving dirt, go no farther than this GARDENA ErgoLine Spade. The Gardena guarantee is 25 years long.

Spear & Jackson Select Stainless Digging Spade

Its 18-centimeter stainless steel blade is beautifully polished. It is resistant to corrosion and was designed to have a low soil adhesion. The polypropylene shaft rests comfortably at the top of the ergonomically designed forward-tilting handle. It’s a decent size, coming in at 102 centimetres in length. This spade is built to last through years of hard usage and abuse, since it has been tested to a greater weight than the BS3388 British Standard requires. This tool works well for digging and turning over dirt. The Spear & Jackson Select Stainless Digging Spade has won the  so you know you’re getting a quality product.

Wilkinson Sword 1111111W Stainless Steel Digging Spade

Blending This spade is made from ash and stainless steel that has been polished to a mirror finish. The ash handle is durable and protected from the elements, making it a pleasure to use even for extended periods of time. The 18-centimeter blade is rather big and made of mirror-polished stainless steel, making dirt removal a breeze. It is rust-proof and simple to clean, so it will last a long time. In order to dig efficiently in big, unprepared regions, the best tool to employ is. It works well to break up the soil before planting plants, seeds, or vegetables. The Wilkinson Sword 1111111W, like the rest of Wilkinson’s gardening equipment, is backed by a 10-year warranty that attests to its superior build quality.

Fiskars Solid Pointed Spade

One of the longest spades we’ll discuss measures in at 117 centimetres. The sharp tip makes quick work of stony ground. It may be rooted and turfed as well. The Fiskars’ ergonomic design makes even the most difficult work less of a chore. Regardless of your stature, you’ll be able to maintain a healthy working posture thanks to the shaft’s height The D-shaped grip is pleasant to use for people of varying hand sizes. The ergonomic design makes holding it comfortable, even for long periods of time. The spade’s blade is sharpened and sharp, and its treaded surface makes digging and ploughing the ground more simpler. it has a high-quality steel blade and a sturdy plastic handle, so it lasts a long time and looks great doing it.

Silverline GT35 Digging Spade

The blade, first and foremost, is forged from thick steel. The tread grip head improves traction in slippery or muddy situations. Since it has a sturdy hardwood shaft and a PYD grip, it’s comfortable to hold and easy to swing, making it ideal for digging or relocating. While the handle’s steel construction guarantees long life and offers a stylish contrast. Extremely heavy at 2.2 kg, it manages to maintain a sense of equilibrium. The 111 cm length makes it a substantial item. Useful for digging, gardening, and breaking ground. There is a 3-year warranty on all Silverline products.

Fiskars Xact Digging Spade

This impressively long spade (120 cm) has a sharpened edge that makes short work of tough, rocky ground. Furthermore, it may be used to trim roots and eradicate grass. The extra-long shaft makes them very cosy and lessens the likelihood of muscular fatigue. The D-shaped grip works well whether you have one hand or two. It’s easy to hold, and the angled handle helps it seem natural in the hand. The non-skid edge on top of the blade’s EaseCut design makes digging and penetrating the ground a breeze. This Fiskars Solid Pointed Spade will serve you well for many years thanks to its Finnish design, high-quality steel blade, and fiberglass-reinforced plastic grip and shaft.

Faithfull All Steel Digging Treaded Spade

It’s perfect for site work and transplanting since it’s forged from carbon manganese steel, which is particularly strong. The length of its 100 centimetres and the heaviness of its 2.5 kilogrammes make it a respectable size. thus, is a weighty thing. As an added bonus, the metal shaft is lightweight and comfortable to hold. A hardwood cross dowel provides extra reinforcement for the metal YD hilt handle. The flat treads are soft underfoot, safe for shoes, and prevent slipping. To ensure that their products meet the needs of professionals in many fields, Faithfull Tools adheres to stringent quality control and manufacturing guidelines. The manufacturer stands behind this spade by offering a five-year warranty.

The Many Uses of a Garden Spade

Utilizing a Garden Spade

Tilting the Soil

The most typical use for a spade is for aerating the soil. It’s termed “spading” when a spade is used in this fashion. Small weeds may be buried or eliminated by spading, and plant material, compost, and other nutrients can be included. Spading also improves drainage by breaking up compacted areas of soil and providing access for helpful earth worms. A plant’s roots may spread farther when they are allowed to grow into the deeper soil, which aids them in locating water even during dry periods and provides them with more access to soil nutrients. Traditionally, soil in gardens and other agricultural areas is changed over once a year. Before you start spading, it’s a good idea to spread out any fertiliser or organic materials you want to apply. Fall and early winter are ideal for plough overs. This will allow the newly supplied organic matter to become biologically active before planting in the spring.

stages for double-digging diagram

Making and Keeping an Edge

The lawn or garden will seem more polished and professional with the addition of some edging. The use of edging is not limited to the borders of flower beds and patios; it may be used anytime two landscape elements (such as grass and hardscape) need to be visually separated. The time to build and install an edge is whenever the soil is not frozen. Garden beds may be better protected against invasion by grass and weeds if they have edging created around them. Cutting grass around trees, fountains, and other landscape elements may be a pain, but doing it at an edge is much simpler. At the very least once a year, you should stroll around your lawn or garden and give the edging a little TLC. You may need to re-cut the clean edge line and pull any grass away from your landscaping element if it has grown in.

Garden edging using a spade that has a long handle.

Ground removal

Cutting through the dense layer of sod’s roots is no easy task, but a garden spade in tip-top shape makes short work of it. Its straight blade allows you to quickly reach beneath the sod and pry it out from the earth, making its removal a breeze. When you tear up sod, you’re essentially ripping out the grass and its foundation. Sod or turf refers to an established layer of grass and its underlying root structure. Garden beds, dead grass, and the installation of fire pits and other hardscaping elements are just a few of the various uses for the area created by removing the sod. Sod may be dug up and discarded once it is no longer needed. Possible ease might be experienced a few days after a substantial rainfall. Removing sod when the ground is too wet makes the sod more cumbersome to deal with and creates a muddy environment in which to do the task. When it’s been weeks since the last rain, the ground may be baked firm, making it impossible to remove sod. It is recommended to water the area a day or two before removal if rain is not in the forecast.

Taking up grass with a spade.

Plant Propagation by Root Cuttings and Transplants

In order to dig up plants, a spade may be inserted deeply, the roots can be cut, and the shovel can be gently levered to loosen the soil around the roots. Preparing to dig the suggested distance away from the plant’s base is a must. You shouldn’t dig too near to the foundation because you risk damaging the roots. How a plant responds to being transplanted or split might vary greatly depending on the species. Do some homework on your plants to find out when they’ll thrive. Early Fall is ideal for the vast majority of plants. In early fall, the roots have time to spread out and take hold of their new environment without the stress of producing leaves, flowers, or fruit. It is recommended to transplant in the fall if the plant blossoms in the spring. Transplant it after the flowers have faded if it blooms in the fall.

Partitioning Flora:

To divide a plant collection is to remove some of the plants from their original place and replant them elsewhere. When plants outgrow their containers, it’s necessary to dig them up and split them. It’s crucial that you do this for their health’s sake. By performing this division, you will have one or more plants that you may relocate to a new location or share with friends and family. The ideal depth for digging around Hostas is between three and five inches. It is best to use a sharpened garden shovel to cut around the plant and then at an angle beneath it to release it from the soil. To split the plant, just cut it in two with the spade. If the plant is sufficiently huge, you may even cut it in half or quarter it.

Sorting Hostas for New Plantings

Transplanting:

It’s best to measure out from the furthest branches of shrubs and trees. In most cases, the root systems are around the same size as the rest of the tree.
When dealing with little trees and bushes, it is best to begin by circling them with a pruning knife. Your first hole should be created at an angle of 45-60 degrees, working your way toward the plant’s centre. Then, pry up ever-so-slightly, going in a circle until the plant is free. Once it’s free, pick it up carefully off the floor.
Digging a “moat” around a tree and enveloping its root ball is necessary for bigger trees. Detailed, helpful guidance may be found in the linked video.

Incorporating Young Trees

Carving Out Spaces By Digging Holes

Creating a circular hole is the simplest option when working with a limited amount of material. Larger ones tend to take on a graveyard-like rectangular shape. A little hole for a flower or tuber, a moderately sized one for a clothesline pole, and a massive one for a modest root cellar or backyard pond. Digging is possible at any time, although it’s usually easier a few days after a big rain. If the earth is frozen, too dry, or too damp, you may have a tough time digging.

Before beginning any digging project, it is imperative that you contact 811 to have local utilities designate any underground wires. Use spray paint to clearly demarcate the area you want to excavate in order to reduce the possibility of making any unnecessary errors. Dig the hole for the tree in a safe place, far from any structures or power lines. When the tree matures, you don’t want it to cause any trouble.

Whether you want to replace the soil in the hole or use it for another purpose, there is a recommended sequence of events to follow. Think ahead about where and how you’ll be using the dirt so that you may save time and effort by just moving it once. To remove the soil from your hole, you might alternatively use a scoop shovel.