Do you like gardening a lot and, thus, are looking for some suitable shovels? Then, here are a few options that can help you out in this aspect.
Well, in truth, unlike a few other things, buying shovel does not really seem like an exciting purchase. However, if you are a gardener by heart, then it is something that you definitely need to keep under your shed.
However, before you make your purchase, you would, first, have to know about the types of shovels that are available in the market. It, in turn, will help you to find the one that suits perfectly for your purpose.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started with it!
What are Garden Shovels?
As you can already understand from the name, these types of shovels are primarily used for doing garden works. They usually come with conclave, rounded blades, which meet at a point. Due to this reason, they can dig holes, especially if you are doing so in the dirt. Shovels used for trenching purpose also.
Moreover, the blades of the garden shovels tend to be a lot spacious. Therefore, you can also use them for moving snow, soil, or any other loose components. Garden shovels also come with a huge handle section, which is pretty ergonomic and, thus, can be grabbed properly.
Parts of a Shovel
Most people tend to think that a shovel usually comes with two parts. However, if you take a close look at their anatomy, then you will be able to find six different sections of the same. Let’s take a close look at them.
- Blade: The blade is actually the most crucial part of a shovel. It is sharp and, thus, can help you with the digging purposes. It usually comes with a curved or pointy shape.
- Shaft: It is the non-grip section of a shovel. The size of it generally varies on the shovel’s type.
- Handle: The section, which you usually hold with your hands, is known as a handle.
- Step: in essence, the backside of the blade of a shovel is known as a step. It tends to feature a more flattened surface.
- Socket: The meeting junction of the shaft and blade is known as a socket. Mostly, it comes as a single piece of wood.
- Tip: The topmost section of a blade is known as the tip. It is usually pointy and helps the same to go through the soil.
Different Blade Shapes of Shovel
Do you want to know about the different shapes of blades as well? Then, here is some information that can help you out in this aspect.
- Round Mouth: As you can understand from the name, it usually comes with a rounded shape along with a pointy tip. You can use it for general shoveling and digging purposes.
- Taper Mouth: The taper mouth blade looks quite unique in its own accord. The upper section of the same seems to be pretty broad. However, as you go down from the top, you will find that it is becoming narrower. It is ideal for working with concrete and tarmac.
- Square Mouth: Due to its perfect square shape, this type of blades generally works perfectly with the shifting and scooping purposes. However, they are not really that good in the digging department.
Different Types of Garden & Lawn Shovels with Their Function
Currently, we have a fundamental idea about garden shovels. So, let’s take a look at their different types now and understand their uses or benefits.
Edging Shovel
When talking about the most popular models in the market, the first name that comes to the mind is Edging Shovel. It usually features a long shaft with a straight footplate. Hence, with it, you can sweep up a large chunk of soil without putting up any force.
The blade of an edging shovel tends to be quite sharp. Therefore, if you want to, then you can also press it down the ground to make a bigger hole there. Moreover, it can also help you in breaking up the shallower roots of the trees and plants.
Flat Shovel
As you can understand from its name, these types of shovels usually feature a flattened blade. Therefore, in a way, it goes perfectly well with the scooping procedure. As it is pretty broad and extensive, you can also carry the soil from one place to another quite easily.
Due to the flatter blade, these shovels usually do not do well in the department of digging. Nonetheless, you can comfortably put some pressure on it to dig up some decent holes in your garden. You can also take care of other tasks, such as spreading and moving, with it.
Handheld Shovel
Unlike the previous two options, the handheld shovels generally come with a shorter size and a small amount of weight. Thus, you can comfortably use them with only one of your hands. Thus, with them, it will become a lot easier for you to complete all the daily gardening tasks.
For instance, with a handheld shovel, you can do digging, remove plants, shorten the size of branches, and many more. The design of the blades of these tools can differ from one another. However, mostly, you will find the pointed ones in the market more than anything else.
Root Shovel
Among the other types, the root shovels tend to be highly versatile and functional. They usually come with a lot of different designs and a variety of shafts. Hence, you can use them almost anywhere you want. However, for more convenience, we would suggest you opt for the models with flattened tips.
They can help you to dig up a huge-sized hole and transfer the soil from one place to another without putting in much effort. Additionally, with it, you can also cut down the roots of almost any smaller to moderately-sized plants. Therefore, in a way, it will aid you in the plant removal procedures as well.
Transplant Shovel
Do you have a lot of rose bushes or shrubs in your garden? Are you thinking about eradicating them as soon as possible? Then, owning a transplant shovel should prove to be quite invaluable for you. With it, you can quickly dig up smaller holes and plant the tiny saplings in them.
Moreover, it can also help you in picking up the smaller plants from one section and place them in the other without making much effort at all. Also, as they usually come with a flatter blade, you can use them for spreading fertilizers on the ground.
Nonetheless, unlike the others, the blades of the transplant shovels tend to be somewhat petty. Therefore, you may not be able to do a lot of soil-work within only a few minutes. Nonetheless, it is, indeed, a decent option for the gardeners, to say the least.
Square Point Shovel
The blades of these shovels generally come with a perfect square shape. Furthermore, to make things easier and convenient for the users, the manufacturers also tend to make them a lot flatter than usual. Hence, in a way, they can be an ideal option for you to do the scooping works.
However, they generally do not come with a separate handle section. Therefore, you may have problems with holding them or grabbing them properly. Besides, they cannot carry high volumes as well. Thus, using them all alone would not be the right idea for you. In turn, you can pair them with any other options here and use it when needed.
Mulch Scoop Shovel
Are you more of a landscaper than a gardener? Do you frequently try to change the shape and appearance of your garden by removing soil from one place to another? Then, the mulch scoop shovels should be perfect for your cause.
They usually feature an elongated shaft and a large blade, which makes it easier for you to dig up your ground and reshape it. Moreover, you can also spread fertilizer on the plants without wasting anything or putting your hands in it. However, the shafts of these models tend to be a lot bigger. Thus, if you are a short person, nonetheless, then you may have problems using it.
Tree-Planting Shovel
As you can already understand from the name, these shovels are perfect for planting trees in your garden. They usually come with a narrower blade, which features either a pointed or a curved tip. Hence, with it, you can successfully dig up different types of holes.
The shaft of these models generally varies in sizes. So, you can choose up any one among them in accordance with your height and purpose. For example, the longer shafts work perfectly on the flatter grounds. On the other hand, the shorter ones are ideal for slopes or hills.
Gardening Trowel
The gardening trowel is one of the smaller variants of garden shovels. Due to their tinier size, you can use them with only one hand yours. These types of shovels generally excel at digging up smaller holes on the ground and planting trees in them.
Besides, if you want to, then you can also cut up the root of small saplings and unwanted bushes to make your garden look cleaner. The tool can be quite handy in spreading fertilizer, especially if you want to do the same on a single or a small group of plants.
Besides using it for gardening, you can also dig up holes for tenting with it. Thus, if you are going on a journey to know the unknown on the backcountry, then using a gardening trowel should be your ideal companion. However, for an efficient gardening experience, make sure to use it by pairing it up with another shovel.
Conclusion
So, as you can see, there are a wide variety of shovels available out there in the market. Each of them is somewhat unique on their own accord and, thus, can serve different purposes. Hence, before you go to the shop and start shuffling through them, we would suggest you determine your choices beforehand. It, in turn, will help you to understand your requirements.
Thus, you will be able to choose the product that suits your cause perfectly. Also, before buying the tool, you would have to make a proper quality check. It, sequentially, will aid you in averting fraudulent cases and buy a low-quality product in the end.