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Border or digging spade

Maria BartonMaria Barton Posts: 11
in Tools and techniques

Hi there. I have a relatively small raised flower bed. Don't know whether to get a digging or a border spade. I like the border spade but have some perrenials to dig up as they are now too big and need split. Do you think a border spade is up to the job

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  • Maria BartonMaria Barton Posts: 11

    Meant to say it was a spear and Jackson one I was looking at 

  • Maria BartonMaria Barton Posts: 11

    I'm about 5ft 4. do u think a border spade is capable of digging up these perennials. Would they be as strong as a digging spade

  • Matty2Matty2 Posts: 4,817

    Border spade any time along with a border fork - but my OH broke my border fork at the weekendimage

    It is a good excuse to visit a GC and weigh up  the weights and balances of the spades to get one that suits me. I'm 5ft 3 by the way

    and ..... well..... GC.........................

  • Maria BartonMaria Barton Posts: 11

    That's great thanks Edd, pansyface And Matty2. i will go for the border one.

  • Maria BartonMaria Barton Posts: 11

    Haha. Mind you I don't have a fork nor would I know what to use it for ! If I can get these massive daisies dug out ill deserve a shopping spree in a garden centre

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,138

    I'm a retired female of 5'7" - I've always been quite strong (farmer's daughter and ex-smallholder) I've always used border spades and forks - perfectly up to most jobs if you use them sensibly.  I value my back image


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Matty2Matty2 Posts: 4,817

    Sorry - OH broke my border spade, not border forkimage

  • KT53KT53 Posts: 9,012

    Border versions.  Big 'uns are great for open spaces and digging over veggie plots.  Border are more practical if you're working between plants or in restricted spaces.

  • hogweedhogweed Posts: 4,053

    I've got a normal spade and love it. I am 5'5''. Use it for everything.

    'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller
  • Maria BartonMaria Barton Posts: 11

    No no Edd I'm definitely not going for a shovel lol. I was just looking at the old one that broke it was a digging spade. My own fault cus I left it outside on all weathers.

    all my plants are in a raised flower bed quite cramped together. Just theres big  perrenials in there like leucanthemums and day Lilly's that need dug out and split

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