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Shovels
The right shovel for working in the garden
can make gardening chores much
easier to
accomplish, and so most gardeners
use more
than one.
- Shovels should be chosen according to the
height of the gardener and
the type of the
work to be done.
- Large shovels with long handles and squared
off blades are good for heavy digging, double
digging, ground preparation, and harvesting.
- Long handled shovels with rounded spade blades
are used for digging in and around borders,
transplanting, and mixing in soil amendments.
There are shovels of this type with long,
narrow blades that are useful for digging
in crowded or confined areas. They are especially
good for flower gardens, where they can dig
down far enough to get the proper root structure
without damaging surrounding plants.
- Short handled shovels with small spade ends
are good for precise digging where depth
is not needed. Smaller gardeners find this
type especially useful.
- Look for shovels that are made from carbon
steel or more durable, non rusting stainless
steel.
- Handles should be heavy duty plastic or kiln-dried
hardwood. The best shovel handles can take
up to 120 pounds of pressure without breaking.
- Choose a shovel with rounded foot treads
at the top of the blade that are easy on
your foot arches and won’t damage your gardening
shoes.
Sturdy forks with heavy duty tongs are also
useful for digging in the garden. |
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