Garden Shovels: There's One for Every Job

Long Handle Round Point Shovel

• Round-tipped blade is made of steel and is forged or hot-formed to the front strap as a single unit.
• Has better cutting power than a square point shovel.
• Handle may be wood, fiberglass or metal.
• Best for digging, mulching or dirt removal.
• The top of the blade may have a turned lip called the foot pedal

Long Handle Square Shovel

• Square blade is made of steel and is forged or hot-formed to the front strap as a single unit.
• Best used for scooping and removing materials.
• Broader blade has a higher holding capacity.
• The top of the blade may have a turned lip called the foot pedal.

D Handle Round Point Shovel

• End of handle is shaped like the letter "D."
• Best for ordinary garden digging jobs.
• Available in light and heavy weights.

D Handle Square Point Shovel

• Best for removal of loose soil and handling light materials such as sand and asphalt.
• Not for heavy digging.
• Available in light and heavy weights.

Garden Spade

• Has a square point blade usually about 7" wide and 12" long.
  
• Has a D handle.
• Some have a rolled shoulder on the top of the blade so the user can

Drain Spade

• Also called a tilling spade.
• Used for digging ditches.
• The top of the blade may have a turned lip called the foot pedal.
• May have a D handle or long handle.

Roofing Shovel

• The straight edge style is used for removing tar and rolled roofing.
• The notched edge style is used for removing shingles.
• May have a D handle or long handle.

Ditching Spade

• For digging and clearing trenches.
• Has a pointed square blade.
• Best for use in heavy soil or rocky surfaces.
• The top of the blade may have a turned lip called the foot pedal.

Scoop

• Has a deep blade for moving loose or bulky materials. Not recommended for digging.
  
• Most have a D handle but some may have a long handle.
• An aluminum scoop is light, durable and best for removing snow, grain or any loose material.
• A heavy-gauge steel scoop is the most durable and can be used for nearly any loose material.
• An ABS resin and poly scoop is designed for light duties such as snow.

Mattock

• Has a blade at a right angle to the handle.
• Available with long or short handles.
• Different models are available for cultivating, planting and picking.

Auger

• Used to burrow into soft ground to create holes for setting posts, footings or for planting trees or shrubs.
• Some models have an adjustable yoke that can be locked into position or changed to drill different sized holes.
• Operates by turning in a downward motion.
• Has a T handle for easier turning.
• Common sizes are 6", 8" and 10".

Post Hole Digger

• Used to dig into the ground to create holes for setting posts, footings or for planting trees or shrubs in all soil types.
• The user plunges the tool into the ground with the handles together. The user then pulls the handles apart which brings the blades together to remove the soil.
• Heavy-duty models have sharp steel blades riveted to a heavy steel frame.
• Light-duty models are made with blade and handle socket rolled from one piece of metal.
• Typical spread point ranges from 5-1/2" to 6-1/4".

Scraper

• Used For scraping debris off of floors, sidewalks or hard surfaces.
• Good for removing ice.
• Has a flat, steel blade.

Sod Lifter

• Used for loosening and lifting sod.
• Removes sod at the root level and saves it for transplanting.
• Blade is beveled for cutting in both directions.

Courtesy of NRHA.org