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The Garden Shovel

The shovel is primarily a digging tool. This tool which usually has a handle, a stem and a concave, scoop-like blade with sharp edges, is an invaluable working tool in the garden.

Use Of The Shovel

The garden shovel can can be used for a variety of tasks including

1. Digging planting holes.

2. Loading heaps of soil unto wheelbarrows.

3. Moving heaps of soil or debris to another nearby spot or unto a wheelbarrow to move to a distant location.

4. It could also be used for mixing-in compost, organic matter or fertilizers into soil

5. It could also be used to dig up seedlings and smaller plants when transplanting.

Safety Tips

This versatile tool should be used carefully as improper or careless use of this tool could lead to some preventable garden accidents.

It is usually used inclined at an angle with one hand wrapped around the hole in the handle(the right hand for right handed individuals and the left for left-handed individuals) and the other on the stem to give stability.

The tool should always be used with the sharp working end ( the blade) pointing downwards and away from you.The concave part of the blade facing upwards and forwards.

While working(shoveling) , it is safer to keep your hands to the side of your body and not directly in front as this prevents you from falling forward if you suddenly hit an obstruction. Keeping your hands to the side while you swing from back to front also gives you more leverage and makes the job easier.

It helps to wear boots to protect your feet. Better to be safe than sorry.

Hand gloves especialy the cloth and leather ones prevent blister formation which commonly follows shovelling.

When working on hard ground, wear safety glasses that prevent sharp/flying objects from harming your eyes.

Care Of Your Garden Shovel

1.After each gardening session, wash metallic parts of tool while you clean the wooden part with a damp cloth. Then hang to dry.

2.Some can be assembled and dismantled after used. Those shovels should be dismantled as this makes storage easier.

3.Metallic parts (especially those not made from rust proof metal) can be stored in oil or sand mixed with oil, if you intend to store them for prolonged periods e.g if you want to travel, or in winter. This prevents them from rusting.

Shovel Selection Tips

1.Get one with a stem that is long enough to prevent you from bending too low when you work. This will prevent backaches.

2.Those with adjustable lengths are good especially if more than one person works in the garden. Like a family garden.

3.Select one with handles that have a good grip.

4. The hole in the handle should not be too small for your hand. The wider the better. If your hand and fingers feel cramped up , you will not be able to use the tool for long garden tasks without causing uncomfortable pain.

5. The lighter the tool, the better it is. Heavy ones just add a lot to the work you do but nothing at all to the job done.

However thick/heavy blades are preferable for digging in hard ground.

6.Those that have blades made of rust-proof metal usually last longer.

7.Having a shovel with replaceable parts is a big plus.

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