The Best Landscaping Spade

The results of a decades long search for the best spade from a former landscaper and current active gardener. Landscape Spades are the tool that crews use most often. A good spade is invaluable, especially one that cuts down on labor and lasts a long time. We have found three landscape spades that we highly recommend.

Best in class garden spade for sale at gardening tools.supplies

Spear Head Landscape Spade

Why We Think It Is The Best Digging Spade

  1. The pointed blade makes all the difference in the world when planting or transplanting in poor, rocky soils. This is no design gimmick - this shovel really works differently and saves you time and effort.
  2. Equally good for initial planting or transplanting. Penetrates deep into tough soils, but the tapered tip makes it a great finese tool for lighting planting and transplating of things like annuals, bulbs, ground covers.
  3. Very well designed and constructed - this is a landscaper spade that will last.
  4. The perfect weight for a spade. Since a spade is both a raw digging tool and a finer finesse tool - weight and balance are important. Some spades are too heavy or too light - this one gets it just right for men and women.
  5. Strong handle - steel reinforced fiberglass - I have never been worried about breaking it.
  6. Fairly priced. This tool could last for decades. No doubt you can spend $10 - $15 less on a decent spade - but we feel this tool is a well priced, quality investment.

Detailed Specifications & Features

  • The blade is made of carbon manganese steel that is 33% thicker and 25% harder than normal shovels.
  • The blade of the spade (head) are beveled from tip to tail at a 35 degree angle to give them a soil penetrating, durable sharpened edge.
  • The spade head (blade)is coated with an epoxy resin after sharpening. This coating is designed to wear away gradually to make the tool sharper with use.
  • Steel reinforced fiberglass handle.
  • Beveled from tip to tail at a 35 degree angle to give the spade an effective and durable sharpened edge.
  • Light weight cushioned D-grip end of handle with UV inhibitors that allow it to withstand the harshest outdoor conditions while being very comfortable to work with.
  • Forward bent foot rests make digging more comfortable, prevent entanglement with roots, and enable the blade to hold more soil.
  • Obviously is not a great spade for cutting bed edges.
  • Digging Blade - 9"(wide) x 11"(long), Overall Length 40", Total Weight is 3.5 lbs

Purchase The Spear Head Spade

Our bottom line review on this garden tool

Final Thoughts On This Spade

It really is an innovative design that can significantly reduce the effort required to dig and transplant. Built like a tank. Could well be the last garden spade you'll ever have to buy. Has really made life easier working our rock and shale NJ soils. A great garden gift.

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Honorable Mention Landscaper Spades

1) Radius Root Slayer Garden Spade

Excellent garden spade that excels at cutting roots

Why We Like This Garden Spade

  1. The two points on the blade are excellent at cutting through soil and roots in tough clay and shale soils.
  2. Serrated edges really work - they cut roots cleanly which I feel can reduce transplant damage.
  3. The step is the right size and rock solid - no worries about applying your full weight on the step.
  4. The circular handle is not some gimmick - it allows up to 4 times the surface area to grip. Digging quickly with a garden spade can require some odd angles, leverage points, etc. The handle easily accommodates two hands and the flexibility and power that allows is a great feature.
  5. Well built. Built to last.
  6. Handle offers a good deal of flex. I like flexibility in a garden spade handle - it gives me good feedback at what is going on down below. The Root Slayer spade has a real nice flex to it, without worry about breaking the handle.
  7. Makes a great gift. The design and handle instantly get people's attention and can show the care that went into finding such a unique and effective garden gift.
  8. A really solid product that consistently gets 5 star reviews. If you dig in the soil, and if in particular you transplant - this is an excellent garden spade.

Specifications

  • Blade Length = 13", Blade Width 10.5" at top of step, Total Length = 44.5",
  • Weight: 5 lbs. 8 oz.,
  • Blade Material: Tempered Mid-Carbon Steel blade,
  • Polypropylene encased carbon steel shaft
  • Comfortable thermoplastic elastomer (sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubber) grip.

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2) A.M. Leonard All Steel Edging Spade

Why We Like This Bed Edging Spade

  1. We do not use garden spades for traditional digging or transplanting - there are better tools for that (best garden spade for digging is listed above). We use garden spades for for edging beds, and maybe to square off some trenching work - but it is primarily for cutting and cleaning our garden bed edges.
  2. Weighs 7 pounds. Steel alloy construction provides high strength without adding excessive weight.
  3. Welded construction offers a one piece construction, no connection areas to fail over time.
  4. Large turned steps reduce fatigue and are foot pad compatible.
  5. Bright orange color keeps the tool visible on the job site or in the garden - making it less likely to be left behind.
AM-Leonard-All-Steel-Garden-Edging-Spade-Review

Garden Edging Spade Specifications

  • Dimensions: 13-inch blade that tapers from 7-3/4 inches to 6-5/8 inches (width), with a 27-inch long D-grip handle.
  • Weighs 7 pounds.
  • All-steel alloy construction for strength and durability.
  • The powder coating resists rust and corrosion.
  • The orange color makes the tool easy to find in the garden.
  • Pre-drilled holes on the step make it easy to attach a rubber foot pad.
  • Flattened back prevents soil buildup.
  • Large steps gives you great power and leverage.

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