What is a shovel used for?

What is a shovel?

A shovel is a garden tool with a handle of variable length and a wide, spoon-shaped head.

The handle is most often made of wood (sometimes of lighter composite materials, which are more expensive) and its length will depend primarily on gardener. A long handle prevents excessive bending, but a short handle provides better stability when moving heavy materials. You just need to find a good compromise between the two. It is fairly rare on shovels, but some handles feature a kickstand (a “T” handle) which makes it easier to push the shovel into the material to be moved.

The shovel head can have different shapes (see below) and can also be made from various materials: heavy hardened steel, very durable; light aluminium, but not very durable (especially for snow clearing); or aluminium alloy, which is light and durable but much more expensive. The choice of shovel will depend on how often and for what purpose you will use it.

A shovel is primarily used for shovelling! That is to say, this tool is mainly used to turn or move materials (gravel, sand, soil, compost, woodchip, dead leaves…) from a pile into a wheelbarrow, for example, and then from the wheelbarrow to the desired location. A shovel is also useful for removing soil from a hole or for replacing it when planting a bush or a tree. Some people use a shovel to dig planting holes or for earthmoving work, but that is not its proper function. In such cases it is better to use a spade.

Remember! If the shovel head is large, you will work faster because you will move more material at once but… each scoop will be very heavy. Think about it!

Different types of shovel

There are several types of shovels depending on intended use:

• Round-point shovel or swan-neck shovel : this type of shovel, whose head ends in a point, penetrates soil or the material to be moved effectively. It is the most used shovel in gardens, particularly for planting tasks. Here are two examples : Pollet swan-neck shovel and Leborgne terracotta shovel ;
• Deep-headed shovel: best shovel for moving heavy loads. In addition, thanks to its raised sides the material moved is held securely during transport ;
• Square-headed shovel or spade-shovel : this flat, sharp shovel sits between shovel and spade (like this Pollet narrow “cable-laying” shovel). Use it to dig and cut roots. This type of shovel can move a larger quantity of material than the round-point shovel, but it also requires more bending. Mind your back !

Some manufacturers innovate by offering more… atypical shovels. This is the case with De Pypere’s 5-tooth shovel. A spade-shovel with a footrest and five very sharp tines. An ideal tool for heavy, compact or even stony soils.

Classic round-point shovel and an innovative 5-tooth shovel

How to use a shovel?

To avoid back and shoulder injuries, using a shovel, like any garden tool, requires proper technique.

• Grip handle firmly with both hands : right hand at top of handle, left lower down (reverse if left-handed) ;
• Place shovel in front of you, almost horizontal but slightly tilted up towards you ;
• Handle rests against right thigh. Bend knees to get closer to soil. Do not round back! ;
• Drive shovel into soil or material to be moved with a sharp downward thrust ;
• Using leverage — push with right hand and lift with left, and combine with leg flexion, shovel should fill ;
• Move with shovel loaded keeping back straight and shovel against your hip ;
• To empty shovel, simply rotate left wrist.