A spade is a digging tool with a flat, rectangular blade designed for cutting straight-sided holes, edging, and transplanting. Unlike the curved, scoop-shaped blade of a shovel, a spade's flat blade is optimized for cutting clean lines through sod and soil.
The distinction between spade and shovel is the primary functional difference in digging tools. The spade has a flat blade with a straight or slightly rounded edge intended for cutting and lifting soil in neat blocks. The shovel has a curved blade that creates a scoop for moving loose material. In practice, many gardeners and builders own both: a spade for edging and planting holes, and a shovel for moving bulk material.
The standard garden spade has a rectangular blade approximately 20 × 25 cm with a flat tip. It is the most common spade for general digging, edging garden beds, and turning soil.
A smaller version of the garden spade with a blade approximately 15 × 20 cm. The reduced size makes it ideal for raised beds, tight planting spaces, and gardeners who prefer lighter tools.
Also called a loy, the Irish spade has a long, narrow, heart-shaped blade. Traditional versions have a single foot rest on one side. It was historically used for manual cultivation of heavy, rocky Irish soils.
A drain spade has a narrow, long blade (approximately 12 × 35 cm) designed for digging deep, narrow trenches for drainage pipes. The narrow profile minimizes soil disturbance.
Spade blades generally range from 15 to 25 cm in width and 20 to 30 cm in length. The blade is usually tempered steel with a sharpened cutting edge. A rolled foot step at the top of the blade allows the user to drive the spade into the ground with foot pressure.
Spade blades should be cleaned of soil after each use. The cutting edge benefits from regular sharpening with a flat file, maintaining a 45-degree bevel on the back side. Wooden handles should be treated with boiled linseed oil annually. Steel blades can develop rust if stored damp; a light wipe with oil after cleaning prevents corrosion.