Relative to its size, it has a large blade for efficient digging. The mirror-polished stainless steel head gives rust resistance and clean movement through the soil. Wide comfort treads at the top of the blade prevent any discomfort for feet, allowing you to really dig deep, in even the most challenging soil. It is very important to take proper care of your garden tool so that it continues to perform at its peak. Do not leave your tool outside, always store it away after use in a dry environment. Even in dry weather conditions your tools, if left outside, are exposed to moisture from wet grass and dew.

When using a garden spade, it is important to use proper technique to avoid injury and to get the best results. This may include using your body weight to help push the spade into the soil and using your legs to lift and move the soil..It’s also hardwearing and comfortable, with a stainless-steel head and lightweight 1.8 kg design. There’s no join between the shaft and the handle, as it’s all made from the same piece of weatherproofed ash, meaning there are no weaker areas in the wood. Weight it worth buying special attention to because it can be especially hard to bear in mind when shopping online. 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 blade of the spade, also referred to as the head, tend to be made of either stainless steel or carbon steel. So, what’s the difference?

There aren’t many downsides to this spade, seeing as it’s well made to a high standard. However, some gardeners may find the handle a little narrow, especially for larger hands. Coatings, such as an epoxy coating, can be applied to carbon steel to make it less likely to rust. This not only makes carbon steel more rust resistant, but on a spade blade it will also help the soil slide off more easily. Shaft Material

For clearing away the autumn leaves and drawing lines in your soil to plant vegetables and vibrant flowers for the summer, our wide selection of garden rakes will help you keep your garden looking neat and tidy.

My Top Recommended Garden Spades

There are several small features that help boost the quality of the spade further, including the tread on the top of the head, and the extra bolts on the shaft and under the handle to make it stronger. There’s also a ‘dent’ whittled into the handle that will stop it from coming loose and twisting over time. This spade isn’t a budget item, but fits neatly into the ‘mid-range’ price category, bringing the quality you would expect as a result. Nevertheless, it’s a great tool for any garden job, and has the strength to make tough tasks a lot easier. Plus, there’s the added reassurance of knowing exactly where it’s been made. This Wilkinson Sword Digging Spade isn’t just aesthetically pleasing, even though the traditional wooden handle does make it a visually-appealing addition to the shed. 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.