© 2024 WGLT
A public service of Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

GLT's Grow: The Smart End Of A Shovel

Adam Greig
/
Flickr via Creative Commons

The need to dig comes to every gardener.  But when it comes to wielding a shovel, are we doing it right?

  • There's several types of shovels, such as spades, round point, flat, and grain or scoop shovels.  Round point is popular and handy for everyday piercing the ground, plus cutting and scooping simultaneously.
  • Wooden handles and a stamped forge head shovel is the way to go.  Cheap shovels are never worth your time.
  • You've got to keep your shovel sharp to get the job done right. Put a nice sharp edge on your shovel with a file, a grinder...or somebody who specializes in filing and grinding.
  • Keep a bucket of coarse sand in your garage or tool shed.  After using your shovel, push the head down into the sand to clean it.  Keeping your shovel clean will help it last and help you be a better digger.
Reporter, content producer and former All Things Considered host, Laura Kennedy is a native of the Midwest who occasionally affects an English accent just for the heck of it. Related to two U.S. presidents, Kennedy appalled her family by going into show business.