Spade application

1. introduction

The spade is an indispensable tool for every gardening enthusiast. Whether digging beds, planting trees or laying out lawns – a spade makes a lot of work in the garden easier. To ensure that you can enjoy your spade for a long time and use it efficiently, we have put together some tips on correct use and care.

2. which spades are available?

Spades are available in many different designs. The form depends on the desired specialization. The most common spade types are as follows:

Gardener’s spade
- Classic spade for cutting and digging
Gärtnerspaten für Frauen
- like the classic gardener’s spade, only slightly smaller in design. Also very popular with senior citizens, as less effort is required.
Gardener’s spade “English shape”
- Slightly narrower blade design
Rodespaten
- Solid, sturdy spade for heavy-duty work. Maximum stability but also a high weight.
Shark spade
- Spade with sharpened cutting edge. The sharp blade can cut through roots, making work easier in many areas.
Pointed spade
- Spades with a pointed blade are particularly suitable for stony and hard soils.
Ladies spade
- Women’s spades have smaller blades than the classic gardener’s spade. Depending on the design, these are better suited to harder soil types and closely planted beds than regular spades. Due to the smaller blades, ladies’ spades are generally more resistant to leverage.
Root spade
- Root spades have a narrow blade and are specially developed for working in rooted soils.
Steel pipe spade
- Spades with tubular steel handles are particularly sturdy. The weight is slightly higher than for versions with wooden handles.
Hollow and planting spades
- The blade of a hollow and planting spade is optimized for digging out soil thanks to its curvature. The strongly curved blade can withstand significantly higher lever forces than a classic gardener’s spade.

3. the correct use of the spade

A spade is versatile and can be used for various gardening tasks. Here are some basic applications:

Digging up and loosening: Use the spade to dig up and loosen the soil in beds or on lawns. Dig about a spade’s width into the soil and tip the clod of earth over.
Planting and moving: When planting shrubs, trees or flowers, the spade is ideal for digging planting holes. Make sure you make the hole large enough so that the roots have enough space.
Cutting and shaping: Use the spade to cut off lawn edges or clearly define beds. This ensures a neat appearance in the garden.
Removing weeds: The spade can also be used to remove larger weeds together with their roots. Insert the spade deep enough to cover the entire root.

4 What is important to ensure that the spade lasts a long time?

To prolong the life of your spade, you should observe the following care tips:

Do not pry with force: The primary function of the spade is to pry. Leverage forces stress the spade blade and handle. In principle, any adult is capable of destroying a spade using leverage. So leverage very consciously. If there is clear resistance, do not use any force to break it. It is better to remove a little more soil to loosen it and then lift the soil around or out.
The right spade blade – Use the right spade: For hard and stony soils, you should use a spade with a smaller blade. The softer or sandier the soil, the larger the leaf can be. Due to their strongly curved shape, hollow spade blades are structurally more stable than a rather smooth spade blade.
Cleaning: Thoroughly remove soil and dirt from the spade after each use. Use a brush and water for this. Dry the spade well afterwards to prevent rust from forming.
Storage: Store the spade in a dry place or in a barely heated room. Ideally in a shed or garage. Hang it up or place it so that the blade is not in direct contact with the floor. In heated rooms, the wooden handle dries out and will break more easily than if it is stored correctly.
Blade sharpening: Sharpen the spade blade as required. A sharp spade makes work easier and reduces the strain on the tool.
Wood care: If your spade has a wooden handle, you should treat it occasionally with linseed oil or a special wood care product to keep the wood supple and resistant.

5 What is a spade used for?

A spade is a universal garden tool that can be used for a variety of tasks:

Soil cultivation: Digging, loosening and aerating garden and lawn areas.
Planting work: Digging planting holes for trees, shrubs and flowers.
Design work: Cutting off lawn edges and bed borders.
Weed control: Removal of stubborn weeds together with the root.

6. conclusion

A spade is an indispensable tool for gardening. With the right use and care, you can ensure that your spade will give you many years of loyal service. Make sure you clean the spade regularly, store it correctly and keep the blade sharp. This means you are ideally equipped to carry out all gardening work efficiently.