Buyers’ Guide to spades
There are so many different types of spade, it’s hard to know which one to go for. Geoff Hodge explains how to choose between them
Make light work of digging, with the right tools
Agood spade is an essential piece of gardening kit. We use them not only for digging the soil, but also for making large planting holes, incorporating soil improvers and turning compost – plus lots more besides. There are numerous design options and considerations when shopping, so choose your garden workhorse carefully. Always try to ‘test drive’ before you buy.
The most important factors to consider are length, weight and balance. A spade that’s too long will be uncomfortable to use properly; one that’s too short means constant bending. A spade that feels too weighty will be even heavier when lugging around damp soil; a spade that’s top heavy is hard to wield for any period of time. l Length: Most standard spades – usually referred to as digging spades – are designed for gardeners between 167-180cm (5ft 5in – 5ft 9in) tall. If you’re only 5ft 1in to 5ft 5in tall, a border spade may be more suitable; if you’re shorter than 5ft 1in, you may find a shrubbery or even perennial spade better. Taller gardeners will usually find longhandled spades more comfortable to use. l Weight: Heavy spades are hard to use over time, so choose one made from lightweight materials. Shafts can be made from hardwoods (such as ash, which has ability to absorb shocks and vibrations), but also lighter metal alloys.
Stainless steel blades are light, easier to keep clean, better at working through heavy clay soil and won’t stain, corrode or rust as easily as carbon steel. Stainless steel used to have the reputation of being poor quality and not very robust, but this is no longer the case with good quality spades. l Comfort: Short T-handles can be very uncomfortable, especially if you have large hands. Wide and ergonomicallyshaped D-, YD- or O-shaped handles give more grip and allow you to use extra force when digging. Ergonomically-angled, telescopic or cranked shafts are also available. Plastic-coated handgrips help reduce fricton and slipping. ➤