Garden-Spades

A shovel is the most basic garden tool, and the one that matters most. A good shovel cuts through soil, transfers your body weight, and leaves your hands intact after 20 minutes. A bad one bends on the first rock, snaps on the third dig, and makes everything harder than it needs to be. We tested 6 shovels and spades — round-point digging shovels, flat spades, trenching models, and ergonomic options — from $25 to $80. ...