Most people, myself included, buy a $10
shovel at a big home improvement store. Six months later, the shove is dull,
rusted and digging becomes a chore. Selecting the right shovel can make your
Garden Chores almost fun. Weather you are a home improvement expert, handyman,
master gardener, or professional, take some time, do some research, buy the
best and buy once.
First some Definitions- this is serous
business after all.
Shovel: Tool used for digging in medium to
soft ground. or soil, sand, gravel, clay or small rock moving.
Spade: Tool used for digging in harder
ground. Because it is narrower than a shovel it is not as good at moving or
transferring materials as a shovel.
Blade: This is the metal end of the tool.
Does the cutting or moving. Narrower the blade the tougher digging conditions
the shovel can handle, but the more "trips" you will have to make.
Cheap shovels are stamped out of sheet metal. Good shovels are welded steel.
Step: Your foot goes here. A great shovel
has a large step, as most of us are gardening in crocs, clogs, flip flops or
even barefoot.
Shaft: This is the bar that connects the
handle (if there is one) to the blade and step.
Handle: There are two kinds of handles on
most shovels. The first is as simple as a rubber or plastic grip around the
shaft. The second is a bar perpendicular to the shaft. Some are T shaped but
the best shovels and spades have the handle on a wishbone (D-Handle) that
connects them to the shovel or spade shaft.
Coating: This is what keeps the shovel from
rusting and keeps your shovel or spade looking great. Remember that digging is
a very abrasive activity and coatings will not last forever. Paint and clear
coat temporary, Powder coating last as long long time.
Warranty: This is one of the most important
parts. Will the manufacturer stand behind their product? If not, go elsewhere.
There are only about 4 shovel types that
you are likely to need:
Long Handle Digging Shovel All around
shovel, go anywhere, do anything. Every one needs this type of shovel in their
Garden Shed. The pointed tip cuts into medium hard to soft ground and makes
quick work of even the most stubborn roots. If you only buy one shovel- get
this one. The straight shaft and handle are great for digging without having to
uses your feet. The important things to look for in this shovel is a strong all
metal shaft welded to the step and the blade. A large step is a must have in
this type of shovel. As will all shovels- unless is stainless($$$) it must be
powder coated. Paint or clear coatings are not enough! While it seems counter
intuitive, the heaver a shovel, the easier it is to use if you are digging.
D-Handle Digging Shovel Similar to the Long
Handle Digging Shovel, This shovels D- Handle is best when you have to dig a
hole then transfer or throw it. Digging, preparing plant holes, and removing
sod and soil for a walkway or garden bed makes this kind of shove shine. As
with Long Handle Digging shovel, durable coating, metal shaft, strong welds and
a large step are crucial.
D-Handle Transfer Style Garden Shovel This
is the square bladed transfer shove that has probably frustrated you in the
past. It has a very specific task and is not a digging shove in most soils. Use
it to move already loosened soil, dirt, compost, sand or pea gravel and you
will fall in love with the the Transfer Garden Shovel. Because this type of
shovel is not really a digging shovel, you will likely want a D-Handle and not
a Straight shaft handle. A long, square-edge, flat blade makes this shovel
ideal for fine, straight edging, cutting through soil and grass. A large step
is not really important here but a durable coating and metal shafts are always
a good idea. This is the only shovel where a lot of weight is not a really good
thing.
D-Handle Transplanting Spade Often referred
to as a sharpshooter shovel, this work horse of a is ideal for deep, precise
digging, transplanting, and loosening very hard soil and packed or crushed
rock. Big step, strong welds, metal shaft and a thick blade are very important
with this shovel. When the going gets tough, the tough get this shovel.
Strangely, this shovel only comes in a D-Handle but it seems to work.
Recap of the Most important features:
Metal shaft
Powdered Coated shaft, blade and step
Welded steel not stamped sheet metal
Steel not stainless steel- too expensive
and not worth it.
D-handle if you are going to be moving
material or straight shaft if you are digging- unless it's a sharp shooter.
Big step unless it is a transfer shovel.
Lastly, a great Warranty. Most shovel
manufactures worth their salt, will replace a broken shovel free of charge.