Why Sharpening Your Garden Spade is Important?
A garden spade is an essential tool when it comes to gardening. It is used for edging, planting, turning soil, and digging holes for trees or shrubs. If your garden spade isn’t sharp enough, it will become difficult to use, and you’ll have to put in extra effort while working, which can be tiring and less efficient. In order to make the most of your garden spade, it’s important to keep it sharpened. Sharp spades will make gardening tasks easier and cut through soil, roots, and debris with less effort.
What You Need to Sharpen a Garden Spade?
Sharpening a garden spade is pretty easy and requires minimal equipment. You’ll need a flat file, a whetstone, or a sharpening stone. A safety glove, goggles and a vice might also come in handy when sharpening. These products can be found at most hardware or gardening stores. You’ll also need a little bit of elbow grease and patience.
Step-by-Step Guide to Sharpening Your Garden Spade
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to help you sharpen your garden spade at home:
- Start by cleaning the spade blade using a wire brush or a rag to remove dirt and debris before sharpening.
- Secure your garden spade in a vice to hold it steady. Wrap a towel or a piece of cloth around the spade’s metal before securing it to avoid scratches.
- Use a flat file to sharpen the spade’s beveled edge. Start at the blade’s tip and file towards the spade’s base.
- Once you have sharpened the beveled edge, use a whetstone or a sharpening stone to hone the blade and remove any burrs or rough spots.
- Finally, remove the spade from the vice and wipe the blade of the spade with a rag or a towel to remove any metal shavings.
How Often Should You Sharpen Your Garden Spade?
How often you sharpen your garden spade depends on how frequently you use it. A garden spade that is used regularly will need to be sharpened more often than a spade that is only used occasionally. Generally, it’s recommended to sharpen your garden spade at least once a season before planting new crops. A well-sharpened garden spade will save you time and energy during gardening chores while helping you achieve cleaner, precise cuts in less time.
The Bottom Line
Sharpening your garden spade doesn’t take a lot of time or effort, but it can have a big impact on your gardening tasks. A well-sharpened garden spade will make tasks like digging, planting, and edging more accessible and less time-consuming. Follow the simple steps discussed above to sharpen your garden spade, and you’ll enjoy working in your garden more than ever before.
