Spades FAQ
What is the difference between a spade and a shovel?
A spade has a flatter, squarer blade designed for clean digging, edging, and slicing through soil and roots, and is used more upright. A shovel has a curved, often pointed blade for digging and lifting loose material. Spades cut and define; shovels move material. For clean planting holes, edging, and dividing, the spade's flat blade does what a shovel cannot.
What is a nursery spade used for?
A nursery spade has a long, narrow blade designed for digging deep planting holes and lifting nursery stock with intact root balls, working in tight spaces between plants. The narrow blade penetrates deeply and cuts clean root balls. For nursery digging and transplanting, this specialized spade shape produces the deep, clean digging that balling and transplanting stock requires.
What makes a durable, high-quality spade?
Look for a forged blade and a strong handle with a secure connection, since the blade-to-handle joint takes heavy leverage when prying and cutting roots. Quality steel holds an edge and resists bending. A well-made spade used daily lasts for years of digging and root-cutting, while a cheap one bends its blade or breaks its handle under the leverage real digging requires.
Why does a sharp edge matter on a spade?
A sharp spade edge slices into soil and through roots with far less effort, makes clean cuts when edging and dividing, and reduces user fatigue. A dull spade requires forcing and tears rather than cuts. Keeping the edge sharp is one of the highest-value maintenance habits for a spade, since it directly affects how easily the tool digs and cuts.
How do I maintain a spade?
Clean soil off after use, keep the digging edge sharp, dry the blade to prevent rust, and check the handle for cracks before heavy prying. A sharp, clean spade digs and cuts with much less effort than a dull, caked one. Basic maintenance, especially keeping the edge sharp, improves both the tool's working life and the ease of every digging task.
Can spades be ordered in bulk for a crew?
Yes. Spades, including nursery and digging spades, are stocked in quantities for outfitting a crew with volume pricing by quote, with replacement handles available. Crews doing regular digging, edging, and transplanting benefit from quality spades that hold an edge and withstand the leverage of real digging work.
