 Whatever the size of your garden, quality is of paramount importance when selecting tools — be they for cultivation, digging, pruning or cutting. These tools will be in regular use for many years and it is worth investing in the best quality available. A cheap fork that bends on contact with compacted soil is frustratingly useless and a complete waste of money.
It can be galling to spend large sums on basic tools when there are so many other, more immediately exciting temptations on sale in the garden centre, but sturdy, comfortable and effective tools really will turn basic gardening functions into much more pleasurable tasks. |
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- You will be using spades and forks regularly so it is vital to select models that are comfortable for you to handle. Great demands will be made on both items in terms of lifting and leverage, so look for designs that combine lightness with strength.
- Consider the material of the head carefully before purchase. Stainless steel does not rust but is expensive; coated steel blades are more affordable and will last well if kept clean, but beware of inexplicably cheap tools - the coating is likely to be so thin that it will lift away almost immediately.
- Non-stick coatings are available, and undoubtedly make cleaning the tool and working the soil easier, but may wear off after lengthy use.
- As with all tools, check that all the joints are secure - particularly where the head of the tool
meets the shaft, as this joint will be under a lot of pressure in use.
- For optimum strength ensure that the head and neck are moulded from a single piece of metal. Shafts may be of wood or metal, possibly covered with plastic. Both are generally strong. Wooden shafts have the advantage of being easy to replace and warmer to handle in winter than even plastic-coated metal. Ensure that the tines or blades are smooth, for ease of working and cleaning.
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- Handle shapes differ so don't be afraid to experiment with the varying types - D', Y- and T-shapes - in the garden centre, until you arrive at a model that feels right in the hand. The Y-shape, formed by splitting the shaft wood, may not be as strong as the D-shaped hilt.
- Although there are various sizes of spade and for available — for example border (small, sometimes called 'ladies'), medium and digging (generally the largest) - do not feel that you need a whole selection for different tasks. A fork is useful for turning heavy soil, dividing or transplanting plants, spreading mulch, applying manure and lifting root vegetables.
- The addition of a tread on a spade makes digging easier, and less hazardous to footwear, but also adds weight and cost, which it may not be necessary to incur if you have only minimal digging requirements. Be guided by the head size, length and weight that feels most workable for your stature and strength.
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