If you’re serious about gardening, you know the right tool makes all the difference. Finding the best garden spade – Perfect for digging deep is the first step to making tough jobs easy. A great spade is your partner for planting trees, turning soil, and creating clean edges. Let’s look at what makes a spade truly excellent, so you can choose one that lasts for years.
Best Garden Spade – Perfect for Digging Deep
Not every shovel is a spade. Spades have a flat, nearly rectangular blade designed for slicing through soil and lifting it. They are the precision instrument for deep, straight-sided holes. A top-quality spade will save your back and your time.
What Makes a Spade Great for Deep Digging?
Several key features seperate a good spade from a great one. You need to consider the materials, the shape, and how it feels in your hands. Ignoring these can lead to a tool that bends or leaves you with blisters.
Here’s what to examine closely:
- Blade Material: Forged carbon steel is the gold standard. It holds a sharp edge, is strong, and can be re-sharpened. Stainless steel resists rust but can be softer.
- Shaft (Handle): Look for solid ash or fiberglass. Ash is traditional, absorbs shock well, and is repairable. Fiberglass is very strong and weather-resistant.
- Connection: A solid socket where the handle fits into the blade is crucial. A full tang (where the steel runs up into the handle) is even stronger.
- Tread (Shoulders): These are the flat parts on top of the blade. Good, wide treads let you use your foot power comfortably and safely.
- Handle Grip: A D-grip or YD-grip offers the most control for heavy digging, allowing you to use both hand positions.
Our Top Picks for Deep-Digging Spades
Based on durability, design, and user feedback, here are a few standout models. Remember, the “best” depends on your soil type and physical needs.
1. The Forged Workhorse
This type is often a professional favorite. It features a fully forged carbon steel blade with a sharpened edge. The ash handle is usually riveted for a lifetime connection. It’s heavier but cuts through clay and rocky soil like nothing else. You’ll need to clean and oil it to prevent rust.
2. The Modern All-Rounder
These spades often use a stainless steel blade bonded to a fiberglass shaft. They are lighter, never rust, and require almost no maintence. They are brilliant for general garden use in loamy or sandy soils. The shock absorption in the handle is a nice bonus.
3. The Border Spade
Slightly smaller than a full-size spade, a border spade has the same features but a narrower blade. It’s perfect for working in confined spaces, planting perennials, or if you have less upper-body strength. It’s suprisingly capable for deep holes with a smaller diameter.
How to Dig a Deep Hole Properly With Your Spade
Using the right technique protects you and your tool. Here’s the step-by-step method for digging a deep, neat hole for a tree or post.
- Mark the Area: Use the spade blade or spray paint to outline the hole. Make it wider than you think you need.
- Cut the Sod: Push the spade vertically down along the outline to cut through grass roots. Remove this top layer.
- Loosen the Soil: Starting in the center, push the spade in at an angle and lift out small sections. Place the soil on a tarp for easy backfilling.
- Work in Layers: Don’t try to go straight down. Excavate the hole evenly, about one spade-blade depth at a time.
- Keep Sides Vertical: As you go deeper, use the spade to trim the sides straight. This helps roots grow downward properly.
- Check Depth: Use a measuring stick often. Its better to go a little too deep than too shallow.
Caring for Your Investment
A quality spade is an investment. With simple care, it can last decades, maybe even a lifetime. Neglect can ruin it in a single season.
- Clean After Use: Knock off wet soil with a stick or brush. Never leave mud caked on, as it holds moisture against the metal.
- Dry Thoroughly: Wipe the blade and connection point with an old towel before storing.
- Sharpen the Edge: A sharp spade works with less effort. Use a metal file a few times a season to maintain a clean bevel.
- Oil the Metal: For carbon steel, a light wipe with vegetable oil or a dedicated tool oil prevents rust. This is especially important before winter storage.
- Check the Handle: Sand down any splinters and treat a wooden handle with linseed oil once a year to prevent drying and cracking.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced gardeners can make these errors. Being aware of them saves your tool and your energy.
Using it as a Lever: A spade is for cutting and lifting. Don’t rock it back and forth to break rocks or roots; you can bend the shaft or blade. Use a pry bar for that.
Storing it Wet: This is the fastest way to get rust on the blade and rot in a wooden handle. Always take a minute to dry it.
Ignoring the Fit: The spade must feel balanced in your hands. A handle that’s too long or short will cause strain. If it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
FAQ: Your Spade Questions Answered
What’s the difference between a shovel and a spade?
Shovels have curved, scoop-shaped blades for moving material like mulch or dirt. Spades have flat, straight blades for cutting and digging precise holes.
How long should a good garden spade last?
With proper care, a well-made spade from quality materials can easily last 20 years or more. Many are passed down through generations.
Is a more expensive spade worth it?
Generally, yes. The investment in better steel and construction means it will perform better, last longer, and be more enjoyable to use, saving you money in the long run.
Can I use my spade for edging?
Absolutely. The sharp, flat blade is ideal for slicing clean lines along garden beds. Just be sure to clean the blade afterward to keep it sharp.
My soil is very clay-heavy. What should I look for?
Choose a spade with a strong, forged blade and sharpened edge. The extra strength is nessecary for cutting through dense, sticky clay. Wider treads will also help when you push with your foot.
Choosing the right tool transforms a chore into a satisfying task. By understanding what makes the best garden spade for digging deep, you can invest in a tool that becomes an extension of your own hands. Take your time, feel the balance, and pick the one that speaks to you. Your garden, and your back, will thank you for seasons to come.