The experts at Barnsdale Gardens give their opinion on classic garden tool
It’s helpful to see what pro gardeners think of a tool – here’s how the Small Groundbreaker Spade by Burgon & Ball did at Barnsdale Gardens.
Jon Brocklebank, the head gardener at Barnsdale Gardens, put the RHS-Endorsed spade through its paces in the 38 individually designed gardens. Here’s Jon’s review…
“Burgon & Ball’s Small Groundbreaker Spade is designed for digging over and breaking up heavy ground so it sounds perfect for the heavy clay at Barnsdale. This is the small version (100cm long). Burgon & Ball also offers a large version (111cm long). It has a Y-shaped ash handle and a pointed stainless steel blade with wide comfort treads across the top which makes for easier ground penetration.
Small Groundbreaker Spade – First thoughts…
“My first thoughts are that the spade looks very strong and of good quality. I always prefer stainless steel over cheaper, lower-quality metals as they cut through the ground with less resistance, they’re easier to clean and are rust-resistant. The handle is very smooth with double rivets at the base for extra strength. This fits into the double-riveted strapped socket of the blade giving it a whopping breaking strain of 90kg; more than enough for our heavy ground.
“I used this spade to dig over an area of heavy dry clay and it performed really well. Its shorter length meant minimal flex and therefore less risk of it snapping under strain. The wide comfort treads and pointed blade definitely made getting the spade into the ground easier than with a standard-shaped spade.
Conclusion
This is a small but mighty spade which will last for many years if treated well. If I could change one thing, it would be how the shaft and blade are joined – the rivets and blade protrude out from the wooden shaft. This isn’t really a problem and wouldn’t deter me from recommending but I’d suggest wearing gloves to avoid chafing. RRP £48.99.
You can read all of the Barnsdale Gardens team’s Tools On Test blogs here: shop.barnsdalegardens.co.uk.
Barnsdale Gardens is synonymous with the much-loved former Gardener’s World presenter Geoff Hamilton. Read his son Nick’s touching book The Right Genes about his dad and look out for the sequel, available later this year. Visit the garden at Barnsdale Ave, Exton, Oakham LE15 8AH.
