The workhorse of the garden, the digging spade is often a gardener's most cherished tool. In this Buyer's Guide video we explain how to choose the best spade for your needs.

We begin by considering the different weights and sizes of garden spades and how these affect their use.

Then, we look at:

Blade material
Shaft material
Handle shape and material
Tread
Sockets and rivets

Next, we demonstrate how to prevent back injury through good digging technique.

We wrap up by explaining how to look after your garden spade to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

Brands featured in this video:

Bulldog
Burgon and Ball
De Wit
Draper
Greenman
Kent & Stowe
McGregor
Pedigree
Sneeboer
Spear and Jackson
Wilkinson Sword
Wilko
Wolf Garten

Many thanks to the team at Richmond Park for their generous help in making this video.

All products featured were chosen independently by our editorial team. This video page contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.

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In-depth reviews of digging spades

How did the spades featured in this video perform in our On Test product reviews? Find out:

Digging spades - product reviews

Plus, see our On Test feature in the September 2019 issue of BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for an at-a-glance comparison of the spades tested.

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In-depth reviews of digging spades

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