The Home Gardener’s Guide To Shovels And Spades

Do you know what you’re digging with? Many people don’t know that shovels and spades are actually two different tools with different uses. There are so many garden tools out there that it can be overwhelming and hard to know which tools to use for which jobs, but if you know how to choose the right tools, your garden and landscaping projects will be significantly easier on your body and everything will go more smoothly.
This guide will teach you how to tell the difference between shovels and spades, how to properly use them, and which tool to pick for which job.

What’s the Difference?
So, what is the difference between a shovel and a spade? A spade is shorter and has a flat blade, while a shovel is longer, angled, and its blade is curved into more of a scoop.
Shovels are better for digging up, breaking apart, and lifting soil as well as for scooping and moving loose materials.
Spades are best for cutting into sod, edging, or digging trenches—anything that requires a sharp, straight edge.



Proper Use
When working with digging tools like this, be sure to wear appropriate footwear (no flip flops!). For both spades and shovels, the basic technique is to insert the blade into the ground, using one foot to push down on the ledge at the top of the blade, called the “step.”
Shovels should be inserted into the ground at an angle and pushed slightly forward, while spades should be pushed into the ground vertically to create a straight edge.
As with any outdoor work, use your common sense and be mindful of the heat, stay hydrated, stretch, and take breaks.

Parts of a Spade and Shovel
Shovels and spades are made of similar basic parts—the handle, step, and blade—but they have subtle variances which might not look like much at first, but make all the difference in what these tools can do.
Handle
Spade: shorter, straight handle with a D or T grip at the top to make it easy to hold.
Shovel: long, upward-angled handle, often no grip at the top since shovels are usually held by the handle at an angle, not by the very top. Shovels do frequently have some type of padding around the upper section of the handle to make holding it more comfortable.
Step
Spade: small ledge on top of the blade on either side of the handle, so that you can rest your foot on it and press down into the soil with the strength of your leg.
Shovel: smaller or no step ledge, as shovels are not intended for the type of work that requires as much extra force of a foot on the blade (such as edging) and a bulky step would get in the way when scooping and lifting material at an angle.
Blade
Spade: flat blade with a square-shaped end.
Shovel: curved, bowl-shaped blade, usually rounded or pointed at the end, but shovels with square-shaped blades are available as well.

Keep in mind that there are many different blade weights, which will dramatically change the experience of handling a shovel or spade. Professional-grade shovels can get very heavy, which means that they are great for heavy lifting but can also be difficult to use. Lighter shovels are less powerful, but are much more usable for many and are a good choice for those with limited abilities.
Try out the different weights and see what feels comfortable to you—I personally prefer a lighter shovel, while my partner prefers a heavier one.

Tips for Pruning in Early Spring

The New Year has passed, and winter is drawing to a close. Some gardeners may already be preparing for early spring pruning, but others are still unsure of what they should be doing.
Early spring is a great time to prune plants. But pruning is not an easy task; it requires a lot of knowledge and skill. Next, we will discuss the considerations for early spring pruning.



Early Spring Pruning Tips
Proper pruning is important, and it provides these important benefits
-To keep plants alive.
-To create and maintain good branch or plant structure
-To increase the flower or fruit production of fruit trees
-To improve overall health and air flow.
-To keep the size of the plants in line with the space in which they are planted.
Many novice gardeners get confused when deciding when to prune, how much to prune, and the appropriate type of cutting to base their planting on. A common mistake is to prune purely according to the appearance of the plant, rather than looking at its natural growth factors: size, width, shape, growth rate.
The best plan of pruning must be based on the characteristics of the plant itself. If possible, it is important to start pruning when the plant is young, as pruned trees are easier to maintain.

Before Early Spring Pruning
The first step before early spring pruning is to identify the type of plant. More pruning of young, vigorous shrubs and trees will increase the amount of new growth. This means that the more frequently they are pruned, the more attention they may need to be put in. This is not a good decision. For older trees that have lost much of their vigor, good heavy pruning often stimulates new growth and helps produce more branches, flowers or fruit.
For flowering shrubs and trees, it is important to determine whether the species is flowering on new shoots in the current season or on growth from the previous season. Knowing this will help determine the timing of pruning and avoid cutting the wrong branches and leaving fewer potential flowers.
For plants that have already flowered, pruning during the dormant season prior to early spring and removing buds that grew in the spring will help the plant produce more flowers and develop a stronger branch structure. This also helps reduce the amount of time open wounds are susceptible to disease before active growth begins.
It is always good to remove any dead, diseased or dying material at any time. This will reduce stress on the plant, reduce the size of wounds from insect and disease damage, and allow the wounds to heal properly.

Proper Spring Pruning Tools
-Hand pruners: for smaller diameter branches, or soft flowers and vines.
-Pole pruners: Pruners with extension poles for pruning branches that are out of reach from the ground or from a ladder. Also available in saw form for cutting larger branches.
-Hedge trimmer: Used to shape shrubs, ideal for large, flat pruning areas.
-Chainsaw: For larger branches that cannot be cut with a pole saw or other method.
It is very important to disinfect the tools before pruning. And it is the dormant period of the plant before early spring pruning. During this period of reduced gardening work, gardeners also have plenty of time to carefully clean and disinfect tools. The easiest way to do this is with bleach and water, which can be done in every home.
After the early spring pruning, the plants will be in a phase of vigorous growth. Therefore, during the pruning process, especially when switching between pruning of different kinds of plants, tools should also be disinfected. Although it is uncommon to spread diseases through pruning, there is some risk, and disinfecting tools will greatly reduce this risk. After all, no one wants a lot of sick plants in their spring garden.

At Gardepot, we offer a variety of wholesale garden equipment and gardening guides. Please feel free to contact us for any needs or questions.

What are the Best Gifts for Gardening Lovers?

Winter is the season of holidays. After Christmas, the New Year is just around the corner. And if anyone has gardener friends around, then it's time to get them some gifts!
What are the best gifts for gardening lovers? What would they love? What are the most useful items to give a gardener? In this list from Gardepot, we'll provide some gift ideas for consideration.

Best Gifts for Gardening Lovers
1. Hand Pruners
Maintaining a garden requires regular pruning, so hand pruners are undoubtedly the most common and desired tool for gardeners. A hand pruner as a gift should have an ergonomic handle and a sharp blade to help the gardener make clean cuts quickly and efficiently.
Hand pruners come in two styles, anvil style and bypass blades. The anvil style hand pruner has a sharp blade that closes to the bottom of the cutting board. It is ideal for cutting dead wood. The bypass pruner, on the other hand, has two sharp blades that make clean cuts in a scissor-like fashion. The clean cut minimizes trauma and allows the plant to recover quickly from the pruning. The right one should be chosen according to the needs of the gardener.

2. Loppers
This is a handy tool for gardens with lots of trees, shrubs and bushes. Loppers are cutting tools with long handles and thick, sharp blades. This tool is ideal for cutting thick branches at a certain height.
Some loppers have telescopic handles that can be extended to reach further. Telescopic loppers do not require the use of a ladder when pruning tall trees, so this is an even better gift.

3. Herb Kit
Herbs are the most popular plants in almost any home garden. Herbs are perfect for beginners or gardeners who don't have a lot of time to tend to their yards. Most are easy to grow and low maintenance. Some can even thrive with neglect, such as basil and mint. This makes herb kits the gift for garden lovers that can never go wrong.
Herb kits on the market will usually include several complementary herbs, as well as some essential gardening materials, such as planting pots and potting mixes. All gardeners need to do is plant the seeds and within a few weeks at the earliest they can harvest fresh and delicious herbs to spice up their daily dishes.

4. A Mini Gardening Tool Set
For gardeners who like to grow herbs or small potted plants, you can't go wrong with this gardening gift idea. Mini gardening tool sets usually include mini versions of trowels, shovels and rakes, and some will include more other less common mini tools.
Mini gardening tool sets are handy for tending to small gardens growing vegetables or indoor potted plants. Even some manufacturers or brands will launch mini-tool sets specifically as gifts, with unique designs on the product and packaging.

5. Garden Gear&Accessories
Garden gear&accessories refer to a variety of protective equipment including gardening gloves, rain boots, aprons, etc. to prevent gardeners from getting hurt on the job. What gift is better than caring for your fellow gardeners themselves? This is also a very practical gift since every gardening lover will need these gears to protect themselves.

6. Functional Garden Decors
Functional garden decorations make great gifts for those who care for medium to large gardens. Water features, birdbaths, bird feeders, birdhouses, barrels (to collect rainwater), and beehives are just a few of the many garden decorations that add beauty and function to any outdoor space.

7. Plant Stand
A plant stand is a decorative shelf that is usually used to display different potted plants. It's a great gift idea for gardeners who need more space. It's practical and looks great when set in a corner.
In addition to being a gift idea, this list can also be used to provide gardening supply retailers with ideas for preparing goods to sell during the holiday season.

Gardepot is a leading manufacturer and exporter of gardening tools in China. Customers can find cheap wholesale products and various gardening guides on our website. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or needs.

Garden Hoses: What To Know Before You Buy

Your garden hose is probably working overtime this summer as you water plants, irrigate a vegetable garden or wash the car. According to hose manufacturer Teknor Apex, a good garden hose will last five to 10 years if properly maintained. A bad garden hose, as most of us have already found out, will waste water, function poorly and cause bouts of frustration.
So to keep the kinks out of your relationship with your garden hose, let’s take a look at what to consider before you buy a new one.




Types of Garden Hoses
Lightweight or heavy-duty? Standard or coiled? Flat or expandable? Who knew there were so many types of garden hoses? Here are some of the most common types of hoses you’re likely to find at your local garden center:
-All-purpose hose. An all-around basic hose for watering and cleaning is available in different sizes and materials, and may be lightweight or heavy-duty.
-Flat hose. These compact, easy to coil hoses expand when filled with water but lay flat when not. Because they have to be flexible to collapse when empty, they’re usually made of lightweight material that typically won’t last as long.
-Coiled hose. If you’re tight on space or just hate fighting with your hose when it’s time to put it away, this type of hose retracts into a neat coil. They usually come in shorter lengths (see below for more info) so are suitable for watering small areas.
-Expandable hose. Another option for small yards or patios, an expandable hose looks petite, but its length doubles or triples when it’s filled with water. These lightweight hoses are for light-duty jobs, and generally don’t last long.

Garden Hose Features
Here are the garden hose features you should consider:
-Length. Hoses typically come in lengths of 25, 50, 75, and 100 feet. Consider the size of the area you need to water, or how far away your birdbath or dirty car are from the spigot/outdoor faucet, and choose a length based on that.
-Diameter. According to Lowe’s, hoses range from 3/8- to 3/4-in. in diameter, with most being 5/8-inch. The bigger the diameter, the more water a hose can carry, but the hose will also be heavier.
-PSI. The flow rate or water speed and pressure in a hose is measured in pounds per square inch, or psi. The hose packaging will be marked with the maximum psi the hose can handle. The tougher the hose, the higher the psi.
-Flexibility. The more flexible a hose, the easier it is to coil and uncoil. But if a hose is too flexible, it will kink easily, which can cause it to split and deteriorate faster.
-Material. With a few exceptions, garden hoses are made of rubber, vinyl or a combination of the two. Vinyl hoses cost less and weigh less, but they’re generally not as durable as rubber hoses. Rubber hoses are heavier and costlier, but are more durable and less prone to kinking than vinyl hoses. Hoses made of a combination of vinyl and rubber are a good mid-range solution — they cost less than rubber hoses but last longer than vinyl ones.

How To Choose the Right Garden Hose
Your garden hose purchase is likely to boil down to a few considerations, including:
-Usage and durability. If you need a hose for occasional watering, you’re probably okay spending less on a light-duty hose. For regular sprinkling or watering of a large lawn, go with a heavy-duty hose.
-Type. The amount of storage space you have will determine whether you want a coiled or expandable hose, or if you want to stick to a standard type.
-Length. Consider the dimensions of the area you’re watering, and buy a hose that’s slightly longer than the farthest point your hose has to reach.
-Budget. A 25-foot garden hose can cost anywhere from $18 to $60 at The Home Depot. Price usually correlates to quality.

Garden Hose Maintenance
Improve the lifespan of your hose by taking care of it using these tips.
-Put it away after each use. A hose left stretched out on the ground can get kinked, run over by the car and damaged by the sun’s UV rays.
-Wind it up. Don’t leave your hose in a heap — roll it onto a real or caddie to reduce kinks, or at least coil it up neatly.These
-Stow it in the winter. Disconnect your hose when gardening season is over, drain it and store it in the garage until next year.

Garden Tools and Equipment for Your Gardening Business

Planning to build a gardening, lawn mowing or landscaping business? It's always a good idea for people who have a passion for gardening. However, starting a gardening business requires a lot of preparation - such as the purchase of gardening tools.
In this guide, GarDepot will help those looking to build a gardening business gain insight into the various basic gardening tools necessary.

What tools are needed for the gardening business?
There are many different kinds of gardening services such as planting, landscaping, lawn care, etc. Although different gardening businesses require investment in different tools, there is always some equipment that can be used for all gardening tasks.

Long Handle Garden Tools
Shovel: A great tool for gardeners, the spade is a versatile tool for use in and around the garden. Shovels are used to dig and move materials. Use a shovel to dig holes, shift plants, pry up rocks and stumps, or break up compacted soil. When purchasing shovels remember to choose products made of corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel, as well as having sturdy, balanced handles.
Rake: The teeth of rakes are designed to spread and collect material around or level the soil. Rakes are commonly used to spread, collect or level soil, mulch, compost, gravel, fallen leaves and other garden debris. Rakes are usually made of steel or hard plastic materials, the former designed for tough jobs and the latter for lighter work.
Fork: Gardens are designed to break up soil before planting, move material, and remove plants without damaging the roots. Garden forks are commonly used to apply fertilizer, manure and compost around plants, move hay, and collect large garden debris into a neat pile.

Short Handle Garden Tools
Hedge Shears: Hedge shears have long, narrow blades and short handles. This tool is designed to cut and trim hedges, as well as shape bushes and shrubs into topiary. Hedge shears are quite versatile and are an essential tool for landscaping services.
Hand Pruner: The hand pruners are used for pruning, trimming and cutting fine branches, twigs, live and dead bodies up to 1CM in thickness. It is commonly used for propagating cuttings, transplanting, repotting, and pruning small plants such as succulents, bonsai, etc. For gardening endeavors that include growing flowers and potted plants, it is always worth investing in hand pruners.
Trowel: The basic trowels are small gardening tools that are commonly used to clear gaps between plants, pull out plants, and remove old stems. If someone asks what tool is best for growing and caring for small fruits, vegetables and plants, hand trowels are definitely the best answer. They enable gardeners to till the soil or transplant plants without damaging their roots.

Is a gardening business profitable?
Today, more and more people are turning their hobby into a career. This is certainly the case with gardening, which can be a business that brings in profit - as long as it is managed properly! With the quest for natural and organic living, the demand for gardening services will predictably increase as well. Remember, gardening tools will always make the job easier.
When it comes to choosing the best gardening tools for your business, choose equipment that is versatile and built to last. Choose tools with coated metal handles and those forged from corrosion-resistant materials. Avoid tools with flimsy handles or thin metal materials.

Gardepot is dedicated to providing quality wholesale gardening tools, and you can find various gardening guides on our website. Feel free to contact us with any questions or needs.

Cleaning and Sharpening Pruning Tools

After investing in a quality trimming tool or shears, it's worth taking a little time to keep them in good working order. Cleaning and maintaining your pruners isn't just about improving the life and usability of your tools, it's also important to disinfect your pruners if you're dealing with plants or trees that are at risk of infection.
It's also important to sharpen knives regularly, as dull blades tend to tear through plant tissue and cause jagged cuts. Now that it's winter and there's not as much pruning gardening to do, there's no better time to clean and sharpen your pruning tools!

Cleaning and Disinfecting Pruners
Cleaning - Pruning shears should be cleaned before they are disinfected, as dirt and residue on the blades will interfere with any disinfectant you use. It is usually sufficient to wipe the blades with a dampened cloth, and even better to add a small amount of detergent to the water. Cleaning should be done regularly to prevent pruners from jamming. If it has not been cleaned for a long time, we recommend taking the tool apart and wiping it down thoroughly.
Disinfection - Medical alcohol, the kind you can buy at the drugstore, is ideal for disinfecting pruners. Disinfection with alcohol does not require soaking, a simple wipe will do the trick, and there is no need to rinse it off.
Oil - After cleaning, oil the tool to keep it moving freely and to prevent corrosion. A generic mineral oil can be used. A thin vegetable oil should do the job well. Put some oil between the blades, on the springs, and a little on the latches that hold the chainsaw closed when not in use. Then move the parts so that the oil gets to all sliding surfaces and wipe off any excess oil.

Sharpening Pruners
It is important to keep your pruning tools sharp. First, a sharp blade makes the cut easier and the gardener works less easily to fatigue. Second, a clean cut will heal better and faster, making it less likely that the plant will become infected through the wound. Therefore, blades should be sharpened regularly and replaced if deeper scratches or nicks appear. Most hedge trimmers and pruners on the market are sold with replacement parts and there is no need to eliminate the entire tool.
It is beneficial to sharpen your pruning tools after use to keep them in top condition. Keeping up this habit isn't really as easy as you might think, but it's a fairly simple task. If you do this regularly, the life of your pruning tools can be greatly extended, and you can save money on new equipment. And, they'll always give you clean, fast cuts!
It is important to remember that common pruning tools such as hedge shears and hand pruners can only be sharpened on their single bevel. That is, not the "back" of the cutting blade, which needs to be kept flat. Cutting board pruners, on the other hand, usually have a double bevel, so sharpen on both sides.

Sharpening a Bypass Pruners
Grinding Stone - With the flat side of the diamond grinder, grind the bevelled side of the blade with a rotating movement at an angle of 20-30° (like a sharpening stone).
Sharpener - Pull the concave sharpening edge gently along the blade edge at an angle of 30-50°. Use either of the corner edges of the sharpener, i.e. do not try to have the sharpener ‘flat’ against the blade. Work only with one side of the sharpener. One light pass on the back of the bevelled side will remove the burr which has formed.

Pruning means more than just the work of cutting off branches! Proper cleaning and maintenance of tools is also an important part of gardening, and only then will you be able to create your garden better.
Gardepot is dedicated to providing wholesale gardening tools, as well as sharing gardening knowledge. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Garden Jobs for Fall and Winter

As days shorten and temperatures cool, the pace of gardening slows along with plant growth. But there is still plenty to be done during the fall and winter months. In fact, much of what is done in the garden now will set the tone for the following year.

Cleaning up your garden is an important task. Remove any dead plant material from your garden and add it to your compost pile. Pick up any fallen fruit from around the fruit trees. These actions will eliminate habitats for overwintering diseases and pests. 

Clean up fallen leaves with rakes. Matted leaves left on the lawn can choke the lawn. Instead, add your leaves (chop up the largest ones) to your compost pile.

Pruning is done during the dormant period of deciduous trees and shrubs. However, it is worth doing a little research on each plant to become familiar with its pruning requirements. 

For example, pruning early bloomers such as azaleas, flowering quince or forsythia in the fall will remove flower buds and reduce the spring bloom display. If these plants need pruning, it should be done after they have finished flowering.

Pruning tools: hedge shears, hand pruners, loppers

Consider planting a winter garden. Radish, spinach, pea and onion seeds can be planted in October or November. Cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce and radish seedlings can be planted in November. If you don't want a winter garden, clean up your summer garden by mulching it with straw, grass clippings or chopped leaves. Mulch will discourage weeds and provide soil nutrients for next year's garden.

Planting bare-root trees and shrubs during the winter dormant period allows for a healthy root system to develop before spring germination. Fall is also the time to plant bulbs and perennials. Disguise your work by flooding the soil surface with water and then covering the soil with mulch.

Renovate flower beds by weeding, adding organic matter and tilling the soil to a depth of at least 6 inches. Refresh the existing mulch around planted plants.

Conduct an irrigation review to adjust your watering schedule to reflect the lower water needs of the fall and winter months. If you have an automated system, make sure it is working properly.
Watering accessories: garden hoses and nozzles, sprinklers, watering cans, sprayers

If you are planning to start a new garden bed, fall is a good time to do so before you face the rush of spring gardening. If you plan to start a new bed on an existing lawn, a good way to do it is to cover it with a thick layer of newspaper and put down a layer of mulch. This will kill the lawn and the bed will be ready for work in early spring without the effort of manually removing the turf.

Finally, clean and sharpen your tools. Keeping your tools clean helps prevent the spread of disease and prolongs the life of your tools. 

If you prune sick plants, disinfect your shears, loppers or saws with a dilute bleach solution, dry them off and apply a thin coat of oil. Sharp tools will produce a clean cut, and clean cuts heal faster. 

If you have empty pots that you plan to reuse, remove the dirt with a coarse brush and then rinse them well with water.