Crisp edges are the secret to beautiful lawns and garden beds. So, how can you get clean lines without the backbreaking work? The best edging shovels make cutting perfectly straight lines easy. Not all shovels and spades are the same, but with a bit of research and comparison, you can find the right tool for the job.
Keep reading and we’ll let you know about the best edging shovels and how to decide which one meets your garden needs.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Hoss Tools “King of Spades”
Best Ergonomic Option:
Radius Garden Root Slayer
Budget Option:
Fiskars Garden Spade Shovel
Best Electric Edging Tool:
WORX WG896 7.5″ Electric Lawn Edger & Trencher
Best Edging Shovels for the Home Gardener
Best Overall Premium Option
Hoss Tools “King of Spades”
When you need an all-purpose garden spade that can cut clean edges, look no further than Hoss Tools’ “King of Spades” Garden Spade. The blade is ultra-sharpened and comes with a left-right interchangeable footpad to give you extra digging power.
Pros:
- Ultra-sharp blade
- Interchangeable foot pad
- The square edge keeps lines straight
Cons:
- Premium Price
Best Ergonomic Edger
Radius Garden Root Slayer
The Radius Garden Root Slayer is a versatile and robust garden edger that simplifies your landscaping tasks. With its 13-gauge mid-carbon steel blade and unique “inverted V” design, this tool easily slices through sod and roots, creating clean, crisp edges.
The ergonomic Natural Radius O-Handle Grip ensures comfort during use, while the lifetime guarantee offers peace of mind.
This manually-powered, multi-purpose edger is perfect for walkways, driveways, and garden borders. Its powder-coated carbon steel blade and resin-encased shaft promise durability, making the Root Slayer a reliable partner for maintaining a neat and tidy garden.
Pros:
- Robust design
- Ergonomic
Cons:
- None
Budget Option
Fiskars Garden Spade Shovel
Fiskars is a trusted name in quality, inexpensive tools. This affordable garden spade is an all-purpose shovel that can handle most edging projects.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Versatile
Cons:
- Not very durable
Best Electric Edging Tool
WORX WG896 12 Amp 7.5″ Electric Lawn Edger & Trencher
Do you want to get crisp, clean edges on your lawn with minimal effort? You might look into this electric edger from WORX. Electric edgers don’t allow the same precision as manual edgers, but they can help you get big jobs done fast.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Great for large yards
Cons:
- Expensive
- Less precise
Edging Shovel vs. Garden Spade
Is there actually a difference between an edging shovel and the humble garden spade? You can indeed get straight edges with any gardening shovel, but buying the right tool will make this task much more manageable.
There are many shovel designs to choose from, and this is for a good reason. Different shovels have their own benefits and drawbacks. Digging shovels have a more convex head and angled shaft to make it easier to scoop dirt. This design is great for digging holes but not the best for carving crisp edges.
Suppose you need to cut through heavy, hard-packed soil. The best edging shovel for this job should feature a sharp saw-tooth head. This is not a feature commonly seen in traditional garden spades. There are many other unique spade designs to consider when shopping for the best edging shovel.
Types of Edging Shovels
There are dozens of types of edging shovels to choose from. Knowing what features to look for helps you find the best edging shovel for your yard. Do you need a wider blade for long, straight edges? Should you buy a heavy-duty stainless steel shovel or a lightweight aluminum edger? Learn more about the different lawn and garden edgers to narrow down your ideal choice.
Blade
The blade or head of a shovel is the most identifiable difference between shovel types. The blade shape determines how effectively a spade can tackle various tasks.
Square shovels make the best edging shovels that can double as all-purpose garden spades. The flat-tipped blade makes cutting straight lines easy.
Spear and v-angled heads require careful placement for crisp edges, but they take a lot of effort out of edging grass lawns. These point-tipped blades are more effective than flat blades when you need to cut through hard-packed soil and tangled weeds.
A saw-tooth border edge on a rounded blade is the best edging shovel for especially tough jobs. This type of blade is only suitable for edging, so you will need a separate garden spade with a trowel head for digging.
Material
The material an edging spade is made of impacts its durability, weight, and cost. When shopping for the best edging shovel, you should balance quality and price.
Sturdy stainless steel blades made with high-quality steel will stay sharp after years of use. Lightweight spades with inexpensive aluminum blades may need to be replaced sooner than those with carbon steel blades.
If you want a lightweight edging tool, consider the material that the shaft is made of. A rugged wooden handle is much heavier than a fiberglass shaft.
Ultimately, the best edging shovel should feature a sharp, rust-resistant blade and a durable handle with a comfortable design.
Design
The best shovel design boils down to personal preference. You should compare the feel of different handles to understand what is comfortable for you.
D-ring handles allow you to adjust your grip easier than solid t-style handles but may offer less leverage. Similarly, a shorter shaft will enable you to exert more force when digging than a longer handle.
Edging spades with ergonomic handles and footplates are a favorite among experienced gardeners. This design is comfortable for repetitive use, and the footplate lets you put your full weight into difficult cuts.
How to Find the Best Edging Shovel for Your Lawn
Shovels are simple tools, and a new gardener may think all shovels are essentially the same. In truth, there are many types of shovels to choose from. How do you select the best edging shovel from so many options?
There are a few essential features you should look for in a quality shovel. First, you need to ensure that it provides a comfortable grip. An ergonomic design minimizes fatigue and reduces your risk of injury.
Another crucial factor when looking for the perfect edging tool is a sharp edge. The blade of your edging shovel should be sturdy and sharp to make cutting straight lines a breeze.
Additional features you want to look for include the material and design. These are down to personal preference, and this guide will help you understand which option is best for you.
What Makes an Edging Shovel the Best One for You?
When shopping for the best edging shovel, you should consider your specific needs. The perfect tool for a small garden bed may not be the best edging shovel for a big lawn.
Make a note of the shovel type and construction material when shopping for an edging tool. You might look into high-quality steel for durability or fiberglass for a lightweight, cheaper option.
How to Get Clean Edges with a Shovel
The crisp edges and borders of beautiful garden beds might look intimidating if you are new to lawn care. Fortunately, with the best edging shovel and a bit of know-how, cutting straight edges is easy and satisfying.
Learn how to edge your lawn and garden in five easy steps.
Step One: Mark the Layout
If you want straight, crisp edges, you need to plan ahead. Use string or spray chalk to clearly define the layout of your garden bed. If you skip this vital step, you may end up with crooked and uneven lines.
Step Two: Cut the Edges
Take your edging spade and cut into the grass all along the boundary you laid out. You don’t need to dig deep yet. Just make sure you cut the sod evenly.
Step Three: Dig in Deep
Once you have perforated the border, it is time to dig deep into the soil. Get a firm grip on your edging spade and cut the ground all along the edges to the same depth.
Step Four: Slice at an Angle
If you did step three well, then step four will be a breeze. Simply dig your edging shovel in at an angle to pry out the wedge of loosened soil. You should now be left with rough but well-defined edges.
Step Five: Clean the Lines
The final step to the perfect garden edging is cleaning up the lines. Use a garden rake to remove excess soil and clip back any overgrown grass to reveal crisp edges.
FAQ
How do you edge grass with a shovel?
To edge grass with a shovel, simply cut deep straight down into the ground and then carve the grass wedge out at an angle. Clean the edges up with a rake and weed trimmer to reveal perfect lines.
Should you edge flower beds?
If you want beautiful flower beds, then edging is a must! The clean lines are not only attractive, but they also help prevent weeds from crowding your flowers.
Can you edge with a flat shovel?
Flat shovels are a great way to get straight edges without purchasing a specialty step edger. Flat shovels can serve as both an edging shovel and an all-purpose garden spade.
Choosing the Best Edging Shovel
This guide should have you well on your way to finding the best edging shovel for you. You’ll be amazed by what a difference clearly defined edges make in the overall look of your garden!
Shopping for your garden can get overwhelming, fast. So if you’re looking for advice on garden tools and garden supplies, then you’re in the right place!
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Max Loel is a seasoned writer with a unique life journey that spans across diverse landscapes.
Beyond the realm of words, Max has carved out a different kind of haven—a 15-acre homestead in the Midwest. This sanctum represents their testament to resilience and commitment to sustainable living.
With a penchant for storytelling that reflects personal growth and cultural exploration, Max brings a fresh perspective to the literary world, blending the experiences of a global wanderer with the grounded roots of a Midwest homesteader.