Tool Tips
The Right Spade for the Job
The Spade (square blade)
The spade is incredibly handy, it cuts fine straight edges for a bed at the edge of lawn and loosens the soil, prying out rocks and reducing clods to pea size. And it can take off slices of turf when you’re setting bulbs to naturalise beneath them.
In the vegetable garden, the spade is excellent for beginning to double dig – use the back of the tool to smash heavy clods. And where the onions are already up and growing, use the spade’s edge like a scuffle hoe, cutting off weeds with a short, jabbing motion. Its versatility is practically limitless in the garden, where improvisation is often necessary.
The Shovel (round blade)
This shovel is present for many garden tasks and the one you can’t do without. It’s easy to break stiff ground with a shovel because the “round point” of the blade focuses the thrust of the tool on a single point. The dish of the blade holds dirt that has been broken without spilling making it easy to carry or throw a load. Its curved edge is convenient for when digging around perennials for transplanting. Whether its moving soil, compost, transplanting a perennial, the shovel is a very handy tool.
One point to remember: it is always tempting to carry too much of a load in one single scoop.
Tool Maintenance
One of the benefits of owning Digadoo tools is being stainless steel, they require little maintenance. To keep stainless steel handled tools in good order just give them a hose from time to time and keep the blade sharpened.
Timber handled tools require oiling a few times per year depending on whether they’re left outside or put under cover.
Most garden tools perform better if kept sharp which results in the tool doing more of the work for you, less energy is required which reduces fatigue which means you can garden longer! Less obvious is that sharp cutting edges are actually safer as they are more likely to cut cleanly with less momentum and effort.
How to Sharpen your Digadoo Tools
Tally-hoes, Hand Tools and all Forks
We recommend all of the above tools be sharpened with a quality file.
If you choose to use a power grinder avoid overheating as the edge will become soft (discolouring is an indication of overheating).
Shovels/Spades
These tools can be sharpened with a file or a power grinder.
This grade is not softened by excessive heat.
More Maintenance
Tally-hoe Head
In dry climates the timber handle may lose moisture and shrink , resulting in the hoe head loosening. Our tally-hoes use a double tapered eyelet to attach the hoe head to handle, similar to a hammer or axe head attachment.
If loose, simply Re-align handle so that wedge runs across the tool, and check that hoe head is fully re-seated on handle, before lightly tapping in wedge to re tighten – as shown in sketch.
Keep up the Oil
Mix 2 parts boiled linseed oil (boiled dries and absorbs faster) to 1 part mineral Turps.
Or just use any other non toxic outdoor wax or timber oil -such as Organoil.
If leaving tools in the garden for a length of time stand them upright as they will be less exposed to the elements and handles won’t become hot.
