The best hand tools to move earth

A big part of a gardener's life involves digging, moving or reshaping soil. Are you using the best tools for the job? Here are some of the handiest tools for moving earth, whether you're digging a whole new garden from scratch or just making a small hole for a pumpkin seed.

A garden spade is a multipurpose tool with a broad, slightly curved blade. A spade's sharp edge and pointed end help it bite easily into rocky or heavy soil.

• Use a spade to dig holes, turn over soil, chop roots and pry up rocks.

Shovels are a little different in that they have a flatter blade, so they're better for scooping materials from flat surfaces or cutting a clean edge around beds or lawns.

A digging fork has four flat or square tines.

• It's used for turning and aerating soil or compost, mixing in soil amendments, lifting perennials and bulbs for division and harvesting root crops.

Spades and shovels come in many blade sizes and handle lengths.

• Before buying, try one for size to make sure that it feels comfortable.

Handles on garden spades and forks range from about 70 to 100 centimetres long. Tall gardeners can spare their backs a lot of pain by using longer-handled tools, while shorter gardeners may find smaller styles with their shorter handles easier to work with.

Spades with narrow blades are easier to use in heavy clay, while wider regular blades are more efficient in sandy soil.

Long, thin blades are good for careful thinning of crowded perennials.

• For working in tight spots, a small, short-handled spade called a border spade is easier to use than a full-size garden spade.
• Or use a spade intended for children.

If a corner of the spade blade has been bent by hitting a rock, hammer it back into shape while holding it against a flat surface. File a new bevel on the dull edge.

• Straighten a bent tine in a digging fork by driving a sturdy metal pipe — one metre long and 2.5 centimetres in diameter — into the ground so it protrudes about 25 centimetres above the soil.
• Slide the damaged tine into the pipe and press slowly until it returns to its original position.

Use a steel file to sharpen the edge on your spade from time to time. It will make digging much easier and help your spade do a much better job of slicing through roots and other obstructions.

• Use a flat file, drawing it smoothly along the original bevel from top to bottom; don't saw back and forth.
• File until the edge is evenly tapered and any nicks are removed.
• Make only a shallow bevel, since a blade that has been honed knife-sharp will chip.
• When you're finished, run the file along the back of the edge to remove the burr that has built up.

• Rub off debris with a rag.
• Use steel wool or a wire brush to loosen encrusted dirt.
• Wipe metal surfaces lightly with oil.

Before storing tools for the winter, wipe wood handles with boiled linseed oil to keep them from drying out.