Spade Shovel: A Gardener's Guide to Digging Right
The spade shovel is a versatile digging tool that every gardener needs for bed preparation, edging and transplanting tasks. It combines the cutting ability of a flat spade with the scooping shape of a traditional shovel. This makes it useful for a wide range of jobs from breaking new ground to moving soil and compost around the garden. Urban gardeners appreciate this tool because it handles most digging work without needing a separate spade and shovel. Whether you are creating a new planting area or turning over an existing bed, a well chosen spade shovel saves time and effort. This guide explains what to look for, how to use it properly and how to keep it in top working condition.
What Is a Spade Shovel?
A spade shovel is a long handled digging tool with a blade that sits between a traditional spade and a standard shovel in shape. The blade is slightly curved with a squared or gently rounded tip rather than the sharply pointed tip of a digging shovel. Most blades measure 18 to 25 centimetres wide and 25 to 30 centimetres long. They are made from tempered carbon steel or stainless steel for durability. Handles are typically hardwood ash or fibreglass with a D grip or T grip at the top. The blade connects to the handle through a solid socket or a long tang that extends partway up the shaft. Some models feature a treaded top edge on the blade for comfortable foot pressure during digging.
How to Use a Spade Shovel
- Place the blade on the soil surface where you want to dig and press down firmly with the ball of your foot to drive it in to full depth.
- Pull the handle backward toward your body to lever the block of soil free from the ground below.
- Lift the soil by bending your knees and keeping your back straight rather than twisting at the waist.
- Turn the blade over and drop the soil beside the hole or onto a tarp if you plan to amend it before returning it.
- Continue digging in a line or grid pattern, overlapping each cut slightly to break up the entire area evenly.
Maintenance and Care
Clean your spade shovel after each use by scraping off soil with a flat stick and rinsing with water. Dry the blade with an old cloth to prevent rust spots from forming overnight. Sharpen the cutting edge once or twice a season with a flat file, working along the original bevel angle. Apply a light coat of linseed oil to the blade for corrosion protection during storage. Wooden handles need sanding and oiling once a year to prevent them from drying out and splitting. Check the connection between the blade and handle regularly for looseness. Tighten any rivets or screws and replace worn handles before they snap during heavy use.
Choosing the Right Spade Shovel
Match the blade size to your typical garden tasks. A smaller blade around 18 centimetres wide is easier to control in tight garden beds and raised planters. A wider blade moves more soil per scoop, which suits open ground preparation. Fibreglass handles are lighter and resist breaking better than wooden ones. Stainless steel blades cost more but resist corrosion and shed sticky soil more easily. Look for a model with a rolled or forged step on top of the blade so your foot does not slip when pressing down. Weight matters for extended use, so hold the tool in the shop and mimic a digging motion before you decide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a spade and a shovel?
A spade has a flat, rectangular blade designed for cutting into soil with clean, straight edges. Gardeners use spades for edging lawns, slicing through turf and digging neat planting holes with vertical sides. The flat blade also works well for lifting and turning over blocks of soil during bed preparation. A shovel has a curved, pointed blade that scoops loose material more efficiently. It is the better choice for moving mulch, gravel, compost and other bulk materials from one place to another. The curved shape holds more material per scoop, which speeds up loading and spreading tasks. Many gardeners keep both tools on hand because they serve different purposes. A spade shovel that blends features of both is a practical compromise for small gardens where storage space is limited.
How long should a spade shovel handle be?
The correct handle length depends on your height and the type of work you do most often. As a general rule, the top of the handle should reach somewhere between your elbow and your hip when you stand the tool upright beside you. For most adults, this means a handle length of 70 to 100 centimetres. A handle that is too short forces you to bend forward repeatedly, which puts strain on your lower back over the course of a digging session. A handle that is too long reduces your leverage and makes the tool feel unwieldy in tight spaces. D grip and T grip handles offer different advantages. A D grip gives you more control when turning and lifting heavy loads of soil. A T grip provides a more natural wrist position during extended digging periods.
Can I use a spade shovel in clay soil?
Yes, but clay soil requires some extra technique to avoid wearing yourself out. Start by watering the area lightly a day before you plan to dig. Slightly moist clay cuts more easily than bone dry clay, which can be almost as hard as concrete. Push the blade in with your foot using steady downward pressure rather than slamming it into the ground. Rock the handle back and forth to loosen the block of clay before you try to lift it. Keep the blade clean between cuts because clay sticks to metal and adds weight that makes each movement harder. A stainless steel blade sheds clay more easily than a carbon steel one. Apply a thin coat of oil or spray lubricant to the blade before you start to help the clay slide off as you work. Take frequent breaks to avoid fatigue from the heavier resistance.
Dig Deeper Into Gardening
Visit our Tools Guide for expert advice on every tool in the shed. Browse the Plant Guide to find the perfect plants for your next project.