Contrary to what the name suggests, a garden shovel is not the only type of shovel for gardening. You need different types of shovels for various gardening tasks, from digging deep holes and trenches to removing plants and transplanting seedlings. Choosing the right shovel for each task will not only make gardening a lot easier but will also help avoid injuries.
There are various types of shovels but, regardless of the type, all shovels have three main parts: the grip, the handle, and the blade. The blade, which is the wide part at the bottom, can be of different shapes and sizes. Outlined below are the types of shovels to choose for different gardening tasks.
1. Garden Shovel
This shovel is the all-purpose shovel that every gardener should have handy. It is heart-shaped with a slightly pointed tip and is useful for a wide range of gardening tasks, including digging, lifting and transplanting. However, it is limited in the workload it can handle.
2. Digging Shovel
A digging shovel is the specific type of shovel for cutting through the soil. It usually has a curved, scoop blade and a pointed tip. The two main types of digging shovel to have are the round point shovel and the garden trowel. The former is suitable for digging large holes in tough soil, and the latter for digging in soft soil and transplanting seedlings.
3. Scoop Shovel
This type of shovel has a broad blade and rounded or squared tip, which makes it perfect for scooping and moving materials, such as manure, mulch, dead leaves, soil, and even snow. However, because the tip is not pointed at all, it is not suitable for digging.
4. Trenching Shovel
This shovel has a long blade with squared sides, and a slightly sharp pointed tip, that enables you to dig narrow holes with minimal disturbance to the surrounding soil. Thus, they are suitable for digging and clearing compost or irrigation trenches, just as the name suggests. They can also be used to remove weeds with deep roots.
Understanding these different types of shovels and their uses will help you choose the right shovel for your gardening tasks. If you need help with any of your gardening tasks, you can reach out to us at Levy’s Lawns and Landscaping today!
