How to Buy a Ditch Spade

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

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Using a ditch spade is a faster, cheaper way to create a ditch in your yard for small irrigation projects. If you buy a good ditch spade, you will have good results without hand pain.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Padded gardening gloves

Step1

Determine how large your ditching project is. If you're planning to use a ditch spade on a project that is more than 1/8 of an acre, consider using a shovel or hiring a ditching service instead.

Step2

Choose a ditch spade that fits comfortably in your dominant hand. Do not pick a spade with a handle that is too thin or too thick or else your hand will become strained while using it.

Step3

Buy a spade with a large enough trowel for your project. If you are not sure about what size trowel to get, buy a slightly smaller trowel than you need. It will be easier to go back and dig out a larger ditch than patch in a giant one.

Step4

Purchase a spade that you can drop. If the spade can handle a drop from your hands onto the floor without denting or bending, the spade will probably last if you thrust it into tough clay dirt. If you don't want to try damaging the spade before you buy it, ask a customer service representative about their experiences with the product.

Step5

Get gloves with grips to use with your ditch spade. By using a pair of comfortable, padded gardening gloves, you will reduce any remaining risk of injury to your hands while using your ditch spade.

Tips & Warnings

If you plan to store your ditch spade in a shed or outside, buy one with a treated wood handle, a plastic handle or a metal handle. An untreated wood handle will splinter and break more easily if left out in the elements.
Prepare the dirt for ditching before using a spade. The spade won't break up the soil easily, so use an aerator or another device first.
Don't buy a ditch spade that doesn't have a triangular handle at the end. Spades with smooth, straight handles are more liable to slip out of your hands while you are using them.
Don't buy a ditch spade that is too long or short for your body. If you're not sure about the proper sizing, try using the spade outside the store with permission. If you don't do this, you may end up with a spade that will put more pressure on your back when you are using it.