Garden Spade vs. Shovel: The Fundamental Differences
While gardening, working with the correct tools is essential. A spade and a shovel are two commonly used tools in the garden and are often mistaken for one another. However, they differ in several ways, including their shape, design, and purpose.
The Distinct Features of a Garden Spade
A garden spade has a flat, rectangular-shaped blade that is typically made of metal. The spade’s blade is straight or slightly concave, and its edges are sharpened to dig through soil with ease. The spade blade is narrower than a shovel blade, and its handle is usually shorter, making it easier to manage and control.
The Features of a Garden Shovel
A garden shovel, on the other hand, has a curved or pointed blade, and its edge is usually serrated. The shovel blade is wider than the spade blade, and it is designed to scoop material such as soil or sand. A garden shovel’s handle is also longer than a spade handle, giving you more leverage to dig deep or lift heavy objects.
When to Use a Garden Spade
Garden spades are suitable for tasks such as edging, slicing through sod, transplanting plants, and digging holes. The sharp edges of the blade allow you to cut through grass and soil effectively, making it ideal for creating defined garden beds, separating individual plants, and garden maintenance.
When to Use a Garden Shovel
When it comes to heavy-duty digging, a shovel is more appropriate. Garden shovels are perfect for digging large holes, moving significant amounts of gravel, sand, snow, or soil. The shovel’s wide scoop is precisely what makes it good at moving materials across the garden.
The next time you want to work on your garden, take time to differentiate between a garden spade vs. a shovel. With this knowledge, you’ll have an easier time picking out the tool you need for your task at hand.
