Well, here are a few tips that should help you make a choice that you will be happy with, and get you a tool that will do what it’s supposed to. Let’s begin. Spade type The Fiskars Gardener’s pointed spade is the perfect tool for breaking tough ground thanks to the unique blade shape. I used this to dig out some medium sized roots and it really did make the task much easier than I expected. At 117cm, this is quite a long garden spade and would suit people who are average height to tall. Shorter folks might find it a little too big, although at only 1.75kg it is hardly heavy and certainly won’t be tiring your arms out. Personally, I’m around 5ft 10” and I found that the extra length meant that I didn’t need to stoop as much as I normally do with other garden spades. One further note on handles, which is less about the material and more about the shape; make sure that the handle’s D-grip is wide enough for your hands. Some spades have wider handles than others, and if you have to squish your hands into too small a grip, it’s going to be uncomfortable. Garden forks are great for lifting, loosening and turning over soil, as well as digging up plants and weeds. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or you’ve just discovered your green fingers, we have something for everyone with a range of sizes and styles, from traditional to professional and industrial quality forks.

It’s quite simple really, if you are 6ft tall or above, you should be looking for a spade that is at least 100cm or more. Fiskars pointed spade that we reviewed above would be a good choice.After demonstrating correct digging technique we finish by explaining how to prolong the life of your spade with the right maintenance routine. If you’re installing fence posts our selection of post hole diggers help to create narrow, even holes in the ground and feature non-slip handles for a secure grip. Stainless steel is rust resistant. It contains chromium which doesn’t oxidise. This layer of chromium in stainless steel is therefore what keeps it from rusting or corroding. Spades with a stainless steel blade are unlikely to need any maintenance at all. Some people confuse shovels and spades, or simply count them in the same category, but while they appear similar and share some characteristics, they are used differently. For example, a shovel is more suited to lifting and shifting soil and other such materials. They can be used to dig into the ground, but I would only do so with very soft terrains unless the shovel was a very heavy duty model.

Treads on the blade make it easier to push the spade into the earth with your feet. Look for these since they make heavy digging easier and protect the soles of your shoes.Garden spades are a type of tool that is commonly used in gardening and landscaping. They are designed to help gardeners dig and move soil, as well as to plant and transplant flowers, vegetables, and other plants. Heavy-duty yard work can become much easier when you have a good digging spade. Let’s look at the main things to look for in a good digging spade: Digging spades that weigh between 1.5 – 2.5 kg are generally easy to manage whilst being robust enough to withstand all typical gardening work. There are a couple of design points to bear in mind, which help improve the strength and longevity of a garden spade. Firstly, the best garden spades have either a hardwood or polypropylene shaft . Ashwood is commonly used because it is strong but lightweight, and polypropylene has been shown to have three times the strength of steel.

The mirror polished stainless steel blade measures 23cm long and just 14.5cm wide, the narrow blade making it perfect for its designed purpose.On top of the shaft is the D-shaped handle constructed out of polypropylene, making it very hard wearing, just like the shaft. The top part of the handle has been given a soft rubber coating to help with grip and make the spade more comfortable in the hands which comes in handy for long digging sessions. Aluminium shafts are light, and strong enough for lighter gardening tasks; however, it’s not as strong a material others and may bend under pressure. Handle Material I found this blade did a great job of breaking hard soil and slicing up decent sized roots and at just over 2kg, the spade is not heavy and can be wielded by pretty much anyone able bodied. On the other hand, shorter folks would benefit from a more compact tool like the Kent & Stowe stainless steel garden spade. Weight

One thing that isn’t small or compact is the tread on top of the blade. This is actually comparatively large and makes using your foot for extra leverage or power much easier.

My Top Recommended Garden Spades

It is also much lighter, weighing in at just over a kilo, so it’s a great tool for getting your kids to help you around the garden and away from their mobile phones or tablets for 30 minutes. At only a kilogram, they have no excuses not to give you a hand. Garden spades typically have a long, straight handle made of wood or metal, and a flat, rectangular blade made of steel. The blade is usually about 6-8 inches wide and 12-16 inches long, and is designed to be sharp enough to cut through soil and roots. The blade may also be slightly curved to help with digging and scooping. These spades are intended for all of the jobs you might expect to encounter whilst digging in the garden: moving earth, cutting through roots, and turning soil. Kent & Stowe have brought us this excellent, compact garden spade that is ideal for people with smaller builds, whether it is the elderly, children, or women, or just for someone looking for a lightweight spade for certain specific tasks.