A spade digs holes, a shovel shifts stuff – that’s the general rule. Except some shovels dig and some spades shift. But which ones? To help you out with your yard work, here’s a handy guide to the range of digging tools out there and their optimal use in the garden.
WATCH: Charlie Albone’s guide to spades and shovels
Tip
Test out tools before you buy. Go through the motions of what you will use them for to check if they’re the right height and weight, and the grip works for you.
1. Short- or long-handle garden spade
The flat blade makes this ideal for digging, planting and defining a garden/lawn edge. It has a narrow mouth for maximum digging depth and power over a smaller area. The long-handle spade gives better leverage for taller people.
2. Digging/shifting or bull-nose shovel
The slightly pointed blade is good for digging into a loose pile of materials, such as aggregates and mulch. The mouth has less resistance than a flat edge, especially with loose or awkward materials. It’s not as effective as a dedicated digging shovel, and less less capacity than a shifting shovel.
3. Post-hole shovel
This is a general-purpose shovel for digging and clearing out post holes, fencing and creating shallow trenches.
4. Post-hole pincer
Use this for digging holes for fence posts, poles and support posts. You can also use it for digging holes to plant young trees.
5. Trenching shovel
The very narrow blade is perfect for digging narrow trenches, especially when you’re putting in drainage or laying cables and pipes.
6. Concreting shovel
Use this for shifting, loading and spreading heavy or wet materials. It has a short handle for close work.
7. Plumber’s shovel
The sharply pointed narrow blade is great for digging drains and holes and makes light work of heavy clay and roots. It can also be used for general shifting and spreading.
8. Shifting shovel
With its square-shaped blade and high sides, you can use this for shifting, loading and spreading materials such as soil, stone, mulch, concrete and garden debris.
9. Multi-purpose shovel
Use this light, wide-mouthed shovel for scooping up, and spreading, large amounts of mulch or other lightweight materials.
For garden tools, visit cyclone.com.au
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