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Whether you ’re travail , abut , or transplanting , these picks help you get the caper done mighty .
In This Article
Better Homes & Gardens
Whether tendinga small gardenor tackling a reach of landscaping chores , a timbre nigga can make a enceinte remainder . Garden spades are used for a variety of outdoor tasks , explainsGary McCoy , Lowe ’s depot managing director .
“ nigga are a specialized tool that have a flat orthogonal blade bond to a foresightful grip , ” he says . “ They have a unbowed edge , which make them ideal for cutting through turf and digging more precise holes . ”
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
In plus to landscape gardening , spades are also useful for gardening . “ Spades are best for dig specific shape holes forplanting bulbs , seedlings , and small plants , ” McCoy say .
What We Researched
We measure multiple garden spades on theirblade textile , shaft material , distance , sword character , and weightto detect these top pick .
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Radius Garden Root Slayer Shovel
This spade shovelful ’s unique serrated aim and carbon steel building get it light to cut through tough obstacles like tree origin and tilt without needing other tools .
Its 5 - punt weight might be too heavy for some users .
The Radius Garden Root Slayer is our better overall pick for garden spades thanks to its serrate blade , multi - purpose plan , and timbre material . This shovel is hard — specially when it occur to cutting through origin and rocks that other spades ca n’t . If you find yourself digging in the garden or planting newlandscaping shrubsoften , the Root Slayer will make the line faster and easier without delays .
Credit: Amazon
The next time you hit a tree tooth root , you’re able to pull up stakes your root tomahawk and see on the tool shelf . This shovel is design to supervene upon other garden tools with its tempered mid - carbon steel blade and gunpowder - coat tip that does n’t stop for underground obstacles . The 13 - in serrated vane also has a polypropene - encased carbon sword barb that wo n’t bend or break under press .
The round handle is made from non - latex thermoplastic elastomer that ’s over - molded onto the polypropene shaft . harmonize to Radius Garden , the Root Slayer is independently certified to be more than 150 percent stronger than corresponding spade digger . Just keep in mind that its 5 - pound exercising weight can start up to palpate heavy while you ’re using it , so it may require some strength when cutting through refractory obstacles .
If you do experience problems with your Root Slayer shovel , Radius Garden backs this tool with a lifetime warranty for client in the U.S.
Credit: Amazon
Product item : Blade Material : Carbon steel |Shaft Material : Polypropylene - encased carbon steel |Length:45 in |Blade Type : serrate |Weight:5 pound
Best Budget
Fiskars 46-Inch Garden Spade Shovel
It has an ergonomic grip and a large foot political platform , and the handle is welded to the blade for additional enduringness .
At 5 pounds , the system of weights may be too heavy for some .
For those looking for a budget - friendly option , the Fiskars 46 - column inch Garden Spade is the best option for you . Made with alloy brand , this low-cost jigaboo come with a lifespan warrant .
Credit: Gardener’s Edge
boast an ergonomic D - grip handle , the well-fixed handgrip is designed to aid boil down fatigue by contouring to your innate hairgrip . The garden spade is 46 inches recollective and has a sharp-worded , accurate vane that is perfect for landscape gardening . With a large foot platform , this spade makes it soft to dig into compacted filth .
The foresighted grip is weld to the vane for additional stability and durability , assure that it lasts for years . Thanks to its pulverisation - coated steel purpose , the spade is resistant to corrode and easy to clean .
It ’s not the heaviest nigga on our lean , but it is heavier than spades like theDeWit Short Perennial Spadeand theSpear & Jackson Traditional Stainless Border Spade , which both weigh less than 3.5 Cypriot pound . If you conceive you may have trouble with the 5 - pounding spade , a light option may be a ripe pick .
Credit: Fiskars
merchandise detail : Blade Material : Alloy steel |Shaft Material : Alloy sword |Overall Length:47 inch |Weight:5 pound
Best Splurge
Leonard Classic Full Strap Spade
The full brand shoulder strap reinforces and strengthen the hardwood jibe and protects it from break away .
This weighty spade may be a footling heavy for some user and stud on the steel shoulder strap can entrance on hands or garden mitt .
With proper upkeep , garden spades can last a lifespan , so a quality shaft such as the Leonard Full - Strap Diamond - Point Spade may be well worth the investment .
Credit: Amazon
This nigra features a high-pitched - carbon copy , estrus - treated sword blade that tapers to a pointed , beveled cutting edge to slit through dirt and root with ease . For extra unassailable terms and quilt during prolonged utilization , you’re able to tie the included rubber metrical unit launch area to the extra - wide turned step on either side of the blade .
A 2 - inch lift slant makes this spade nonsuch for digging flat down to prune beginning , organ transplant , or sharpness and the hardwood and metal D - grip handle increases leverage . The electrical shock - absorbing hardwood dig reduce stress and fatigue during employment and is reinforced by an telling full steel strap .
Riveted firmly in place , the strap strengthens stress points on the shaft to extend the sprightliness of the nigger , but the rivets can catch on hired man or garden gloves . The sword strap may also make this spade too heavy for some exploiter , however , so keep that in mind .
Credit: Amazon
Product Details : Blade Material : Carbon steel |Shaft Material : Hardwood ash with sword strap |Length:40 inches |Blade Type : Pointed excavator |Weight:6.5 pound
Best Transplanting
Fiskars 46 Inch Steel D-handle Transplanting Spade
This sturdy coon power shovel is designed specifically for transplant , and its 46 - inch length does n’t involve you to bend down while drudge .
It ’s not made for all garden projects like digging out shrubs or remove rock candy , so you ’ll call for another shovel for those jobs .
If you ’ve transfer flowers and other industrial plant from place to place in your garden , you have it away that a transplanting shovel is essential to make a consummate hole without take out up the ground around each works . The Fiskars 46 - column inch Steel Garden Spade Shovel gets the line done , and its long 46 - column inch design makes it easy to hollow with more comfort and less strain on your back .
Credit: Amazon
This shovel ’s weld , gunpowder - coat steel with a 14 - bore blade and 18 - gage shaft are designed to compass through thick dirt without bending like fibreglass or wearing down like Sir Henry Wood . The rust - insubordinate steel brand is also sharpen , so it drive flat through tough dirt and inure piece of dirt . Whether you ’re digging up last yr ’s bulbs or realize new planting muddle for refreshing flowers , you wo n’t have any trouble with excess idle dirt or filling in oversized holes when you ’re land up .
For good restraint , this shovel features a teardrop - shaped shaft above the blade that slew to follow the rude motion of your hands while digging . It ’s also designed with extra - turgid percentage from the foot political platform to the calciferol - handle , which leave alone hatful of elbow room for both hands when you necessitate them . When it comes to transplanting or removing bulbs in your garden , this shovelful is our top pick to cut into rich hole with relaxation and without bending down .
Product item : Blade stuff : Powder - coated steel |Shaft Material : Powder - coated steel |Length:46.88 inch |Blade case : curving transplant blade |Weight:0.28 British pound
Credit: Amazon
Best Compact
DeWit Short Perennial Spade
This small spade is decent for taking on the go and is expertly handcrafted .
The small T - grip may seem uneasy or too small for some substance abuser .
The DeWit Perennial Spade is a smart option when you need something big thana garden trowelbut smaller than a full - size nigga . Lightweight yet lasting , this small tool is ideal for world-wide garden work such as planting incandescent lamp and perennials , or for traveling to and from a residential area garden or other worksite .
The myopic shaft and handle are lightweight , shock - gripping , and easy to manoeuvre in close spaces . The small thymine - shape handle declare oneself considerable control to navigate circumscribe areas and quash strain on wrists and hands , but the soma may seem awkward or too small for some users . The B brand vane is rusting - resistant and curved to help minimize ground disturbance and damage to border plant .
At just 2 pounds and 22 inches , this compact option is more lightweight than other cream . Plus , it comes with a lifetime guarantee and stores easily without taking up too much cherished infinite in a garden shed .
ware Details : Blade cloth : Boron steel |Shaft Material : Ash hardwood |Length:22 inches |Blade Type : Perennial |Weight:2 pounds
Best Ergonomic
Roamwild Multi-Digger Spade
The clever dual - clasp handle help reduce exploiter endeavour and tiredness . Plus , taller drug user will have it off that this spade come in a long version .
It may be backbreaking to clean between the various junction and grips , and the hold grip may be too large for smaller helping hand .
It ’s gruelling to overlook the ergonomic feature of the Roamwild Multi - Digger Spade . The spade is project to transfer power directly to the crown of the steel where it matters most , which reduces exploiter exertion and mean less tiredness and back strain .
The durable coated brand boast an arrowhead shape to fathom rocky , compacted soil and clay . Cutting through roots to separate even the tough perennials is made gentle with the blade ’s serrated edge and large metrical unit plate .
This well - balanced hybrid garden spade sport convenient no - slip grip sections on the reinforced fiberglass prick . Air - cut holes relieve the ergonomic handle , which has two separate no - slip suitcase areas to admit different working techniques and minimize strain on work force and radiocarpal joint .
The large hold , however , may not be comfortable for smaller hand even when wearing garden gloves , and with various joints and traveling bag sections this spade may be challenging to cleanse .
While this option is 40 inches long , taller substance abuser will be glad to know this multi - digger spade comes in a 49 - in distance as well .
production Details : Blade stuff : Not listed |Shaft Material : Fiberglass |Length:40 inches |Blade Type : Pointed shovel |Weight:4.5 punt
Best Lightweight
Spear & Jackson Traditional Stainless Border Spade
The richly - perform stainless steel blade is rust - resistant and minimizes soil attachment .
Tall users may find this spade too short for comfortable use .
This Spear & Jackson pick is the best lightweight pick for your solicitation . With its small head teacher size , shorter length , and weight of just under 3.5 pounds , this nigger is ideal for digging and cultivation in borders and between planting in garden bed where space is restricted .
The spade ’s mirror - milled untainted brand sword resists rusting and ground adhesion , which avail the blade fall away easily into the earth and clean up easily . The one - piece weatherproofed hardwood handle offers a smooth line from where the shaft attaches to the foresightful , double - rivet socket to where it splits to form a comfortable hold .
This timeless nigra is potent and long-lived and appeals to users who prefer a traditional look and feel , though at 37.8 inches long , it may not be comfortable for tall users .
Product Details : Blade Material : Stainless steel |Shaft Material : Stainless blade and hardwood |Length:37.8 inches |Blade Type : Border |Weight:3.34 pounds
Best for Roots
Root Assassin Garden Shovel Saw
Sharp serrated edges on both sides of the blade are designed to dig , cut , and deplume out junk all at once .
The irregular , pointed blade demarcation scooping potential .
We found the Root Assassin Garden Shovel Saw to be the best garden jigaboo for polish off stubborn roots and other hush-hush obstructions . The spade ’s carbon steel blade is overlayed with a streamlined , silvery powder coating and feature forward turn steps for secure ft arrangement .
Its long , pointed shape and curved tip allow this cock to dig deeper than most , but the shape does limit the steel ’s surface domain for moving ground .
harp serrated edges on both sides of the blade give this spade great sawing capability , though the irregular , pointed sword limits outflank potential . Overall , it ’s designed to cut , labor , and rip roots out all at once so gardening tasks are make out quicker .
The longsighted , steel ray is designed for optimum residual and digging leverage . The alloy D - shape handle is resistant to chipping and rusting and features a red rubber - coated non - slip grip which is easy to spot when limit down on a lawn .
ware Details : Blade Material : Carbon steel |Shaft Material : Carbon blade |Length:48 inches |Blade case : Pointed power shovel |Weight:4 pounds
The Bottom Line
Our best overall pick is theRadius Garden 22011 Root Slayer Shovel . The tool ’s serrate blade and carbon steel construction lease you cut through roots while digging , eliminating the need for other tools . Plus , the nigra is pretty price and total with a life-time warranty .
What to Know About Garden Spades Before Shopping
Intended Purpose
dissimilar type of spades are designed for specific tasks . “ It ’s important to keep in mind the use of the spade because that determines the best manner to purchase , ” McCoy pronounce . There are a few dissimilar types of nigga , but the most popular ace are garden and trenching jigaboo .
“ A garden spadeis the most popular case as it has straight edge [ that ] cuts through turf without damage the surrounding Gunter Wilhelm Grass , ” McCoy says . “ A trenching spadeis worthful fordigging narrow trench for irrigation pipesand water lines . ”
Blade and Shaft Material
When shopping for a garden spade , the blade and jibe material are important condition .
Look for a spade with steel steel . Stainless brand and B steel are stiff , long - lasting , and rust - resistant . carbon copy steel blades are super - durable and a little unclouded weightiness but can be susceptible to moisture and rusting if not maintained decent .
A nigga ’s pecker should be fashioned from undestroyable cloth as well . The top choices are hardwood , fiberglass , or metal . Hardwood is the most traditional putz cloth and is an excellent electric shock absorber . If properly maintained , a hardwood shaft should n’t splinter or break down , but if bequeath in the rainwater , it may puff up and deteriorate .
Fiberglass shaft also absorb shock well and are lightweight and low maintenance . alloy lance are strong and durable but do n’t absorb electrical shock well and can get hot to the touch when working in swelter temperatures .
Ergonomics
You ’ll desire to choose a spade that feel comfortable and balanced , and features that optimize leverage . Some variable quantity to consider are weight , distance , footplate , and wield grip .
Weightier spade can optimise leverage to make digging and lifting more effective . Lighter - weight nigra are preferred if you have back problems , your strength is compromise , or if you ’ll be working several 60 minutes .
Using the right length shaft for your height can also reduce back song by requiring less bending over . “ I often feel like my spade is simply an reference of my arm , ” articulate horticulturistMegan Hughesfrom Hughes Nursery and Landscaping .
“ So it ’s critical that it fit my dead body , " she says . " I ’m small in height and have found that a little spade is the good fit for me . ”
A footplate or step is an appealing feature article at the top of the blade . Here users can mistreat with their foot to employ soundbox weighting to push the vane down into the ground . “ nigga with a invertebrate foot pad on the top of the vane make it easier to apprehend in hard , compacted grease , ” Hughes says .
Most nigra have a traditional vitamin D - grip or thyroxin - grip handle to help have and handle the spade . Both styles execute well , so the option is principally personal preference . If the handle is fiberglass , metal , or charge plate , look for cushion , rubberized coating that provide a no - shimmy grip for optimal ascendence and cut back impingement on the hired hand and articulatio radiocarpea .
Blade Type
While many nigger are multi - purpose , some are designed to work well for specific tasks . The most rough-cut types of spades are digging , transplantation , and delimitation spades . jab spades have a flat brand with a rounded and sometimes orient sharpness ideal for working with a multitude of dirt types .
“ I use my nigga alone for digging maw and root out grass , ” say Hughes . “ I always choose spade with a round point brand because I find a round blade sinkhole into the ground much easier than a straight - tipped brand . ”
Transplanting spades have an elongated , minute blade for cutting through roots , and are used for dividing and move flora and shrubs to new locations . mete spades are smaller and light than a dig spade and are designed to dig directly down into the grunge . They lick well in raised beds or confined areas .
Your Questions, Answered
How long does a garden spade last?
With proper maintenance and function , a garden nigger can last a lifetime , particularly I construct from satisfying , reliable material . “ Never put a nigger away dirty , ” Hughes tell . “ Use a conducting wire brush — a grill brush is great — to take away any loose soil from the vane before storing the spade . put in your spade and all garden toolsin a clean , ironical place . ”
Regularly cleaning and drying your spade and on occasion embrocate it helps deter rust on the steel and splintering of the handle . Keeping the blade sharpened can also extend the nigger ’s animation .
calculate for spades made of sword , hardwood , and fibreglass and use the tool for its intended purpose . Using a lowly border nigger to regularly outdo loads of heavy rock — a business for a digger — can shorten its lifespan .
How much does a good garden spade cost?
Though some spades can go under you back a few hundred dollar sign , you could buy a spade for a lot less without sacrifice calibre . As our good garden spade selections illustrate , a top - pass spade can be purchased for around $ 50 to $ 60 . That said , weigh how much break and tear the nigger will get .
devouring gardeners impress bush and digging deep day by day may desire to invest in a more expensive tool that will withstand years of daily use . Those who use a spade for episodic or unclouded work can be sure-footed select a lower - priced tool fashion from long-lasting materials .
Do I need a garden spade or a shovel?
spade and shovels are both gardening necessity , but they have slightly unlike purposes . A shovel has a more rounded steel , while a coon has a orthogonal vane that is flat . The rounded blade of a spadeful is more useful for moving dirt , and a nigger ’s orthogonal build add it to create precise holes .
If you need to move materials around your yard or dig a shallow cakehole , a digger is the perfect puppet . However , if you ’re plan on landscape gardening , planting , or doing outside labor such as instal a sprinkler system , a spade is the best choice .
Who We Are
Pamela Porteris a writer with more than 20 years of experience writing and researching intersection and home design stories for Better Homes & Gardens . For this clause , she search fundamental performance factors such as materials , weight , length , and mean purpose to select the best garden spade . She also interviewed horticulturistMegan Hughesfrom Hughes Nursery and Landscaping .
This clause was updated byBrandi Fuller , who has been a shopping editor for Better Homes & Gardens since 2022 . She has also compose about spadeful , birdhouses , mouse traps , lift garden bed , greenhouse kits , and more . To update this article , she researched various spade and spoke with Lowe ’s entrepot manager , Gary McCoy , for more sixth sense on garden spades .
