Burgon & Ball GTB/SPSRHS RHS Stainless Perennial Spade

Product Information

Riveted securely in place, the strap strengthens stress points on the shaft to extend the life of the spade, but the rivets can catch on hands or garden gloves. The steel strap may also make this spade too heavy for some users, however, so keep that in mind.

As passionate gardeners ourselves here at Creeper & Knotweed we are more than especially delighted to bring you the most comprehensive range of these fabulous Sneeboer tools, featuring FSC certified Ash and/or Cherry wood handles. Choose from our large range of Sneeboer hand tools, dig into our range of Sneeboer Spades & Forks and savour our Sneeboer hoes, cultivators, edgers and bulb planters… These good-looking and exceptionally hardworking tools have been designed to make light work of digging and cultivating, and are manufactured to last for years. Burgon & Ball garden spades and forks are endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society, one of the world’s foremost horticultural organisations and the UK's leading gardening charity. We are confident of the quality of our tools: each RHS-endorsed tool comes with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects. Hand tools are part of our history having been in use by humans for some 3.3 million years. Starting with the stone age when their function was basically for hammering and cutting. Over time there was the Bronze Age when tools were made by casting alloys like tin and copper making them much sharper and harder than stone tools. Following this the Iron Age which meant that tools became even stronger and more durable, the Romans then developed tools which are quite simular to the ones we use today. Since the Industrial Revolution the manufacture of tools has largely changed from being made by craftsmen to being produced (mainly as cheaply as possible) often in huge volumes in factories right across the world. I’m hopeful that the filming for a new series on European gardens which was shelved by the pandemic will still happen. I’ve got a couple of books being published this autumn – one about the wildlife in my garden and at the farm, the other about American gardens – and another one next year, as well as a memoir to write. I’m signed up to do two more years of Gardeners’ World after this one, plus I’ve got projects on the farm. So there’s a lot to do. The Wilkinson Sword gardening tool collection is a totally unique, innovative range of products developed by E. P. Barrus Ltd; a British company with over 100 years trading experience. Barrus has a strong sales, distribution and engineering focus and is the power behind leading brands in the garden machinery and tools sector, marine, vehicle and industrial engine markets.Most spades have a traditional D-grip or T-grip handle to help hold and manage the spade. Both styles perform well, so the choice is mainly personal preference. If the handle is fiberglass, metal, or plastic, look for cushioned, rubberized coatings that offer a no-slip grip for optimal control and reduced impact on the hand and wrist. Look for a spade with steel blades. Stainless steel and boron steel are strong, long-lasting, and rust-resistant. Carbon steel blades are super-durable and a little lighter weight but can be susceptible to moisture and rusting if not maintained properly. The blade of the Great Dixter planting spade is forged and sharpened on both sides and is formed into a point making it very easy to drive into the ground. The Great Dixter planting spade has a V-shape in the length of the blade, making it more suited to digging holes and scooping up material compared to the regular perennial spade. The short size of the planting spade, measuring 57cm overall, makes it the perfect tool to work with precision in a kneeled position. The planting spade, a smaller version of the Sneeboer pointed spade, is equally suited to dividing shrubs, lifting bulbs, digging planting holes and working in areas where a full size spade would be too cumbersome. The Great Dixter planting spade is fitted with a 42cm ash T-handle.

I have twice as many wellies and gardening boots as I do other shoes. Between October and April it’s always wellies, and then boots when it’s dry. About 15 years ago, Sarah gave me a pair of handmade gardening boots made by a John Lobb bootmaker, which I love. This timeless spade is strong and durable and appeals to users who prefer a traditional look and feel, though at 37.8 inches long, it may not be comfortable for taller users. This mid-handled perennial spade is simply perfect for the task of splitting perennial plants. The pointed tip slices easily through roots to divide into new plants, with minimal disturbance to the rest of the roots and plant. It’s also really handy for digging while kneeling, offering great grip and enhanced digging power if you like to get up close to your plants. And it’s perfect to use with raised beds, extending your reach to avoid working at an awkward height. E. P. Barrus has a trade mark licence agreement with Wilkinson Sword Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of Energizer Holdings Inc) to sell and market the Wilkinson Sword range of garden tools in the UK and Eire.We found the Root Assassin Garden Shovel Saw to be the best garden spade for slaying stubborn roots and other underground obstructions. The spade’s carbon steel blade is overlayed with a sleek, silver powder coating and features forward turn steps for secure foot placement. Most important when choosing a garden spade, it must be well-made,” Hughes says. “I rely on my spade to do a lot of the tough work around my garden, so it must be well-made, preferably with a white oak handle and a forged, heavy metal blade.”