Landscape supplies like shovels are vital tools when you have a garden because they enable you to perform a variety of functions like digging, trenching and scooping up garden soil. Shovels typically come in different styles for performing varied gardening tasks more efficiently. This guide is designed to help you understand the different shovel styles catering to specific functions in your garden.

Digging Shovels

Digging shovels typically feature a relatively curved scoop with edges that are upturned. They are characterised by long wooden or metal handles, while the scoop either has a flat or pointed tip. This makes it easier to dig through soil for planting flowerbeds, shrubs and trees. Pointed-tip shovels are usually used for digging soft soil, while the sharper flat-tip shovels are used for hard-packed soils requiring more penetration force. Apart from digging soil, landscape supplies like square-point shovels can also be used for edging lawns, cutting small roots and uprooting small bushes, making them a versatile choice for many homeowners.   

Scooping Shovels

Scooping shovels are characterised by their flat tips, slight curves and broad scoops. They are useful when you are attempting to dig large holes or if you're transporting large amounts of compost or manure to your garden. Steel scoop shovels tend to be slightly heavier than aluminium scoop shovels, but are less likely to warp. These are usually most ideal when you're working with bigger volumes, so are more suited to homes with plenty of landscaped garden space.

Trenching Shovels

Trenching shovels are generally used for creating and clearing trenches to provide water for your plants and vegetation through the soil. Trenching shovels feature sharp and pointed tips with upturned sides to create even trench walls, while preventing any disturbance to the soil around. These shovels work well for creating deep compost trenches, removing deep plants roots and for placing irrigation pipes.

Drain Spades

Landscape supplies like drain spades are much narrower than trenching, scoop or digging shovels. They have rounded tips with slightly curved edges, which makes them a good choice for working on smaller areas requiring precise garden intervention. For example, if you are planning to add flowers to an open area around your existing flowerbed, then drain spades will allow you to work neatly without disturbing surrounding flowers and soil. The choice of buying a drain spade with a long or short handle is left up to you based on your specific garden needs.

Understanding the differences in shovel landscape supplies will help you choose the right tool for your specific garden function.