Sharpening Shovels
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ in a Minute
Episode Archive
Episode #387 | Original Air Date: August 24, 2021
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Transcript
Transplanting a shrub? Make the job a little easier by sharpening your shovel. It travels more easily through the soil and slices cleanly through roots.
Start by removing any surface rust or dirt from the shovel using steel wool or a wire brush.
Clamp it with the handle pointing down in a vise, and drag a metal file along one edge in a smooth, even motion. Work in one direction and try to maintain a consistent angle. Then repeat on the other side.
Your goal is to hone the edge of the shovel without removing too much metal.
You can use a bench grinder or rotary tool instead of a file. Just be sure to wear the proper protective equipment.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ in a Minute is a production of the University of Florida’s Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program, IFAS Extension, and WUFT-FM in cooperation with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
