tuinschep

A tuinschep is a garden shovel used for digging, scooping, and moving soil, compost, mulch, and other light garden materials. It is a basic hand tool in Dutch horticulture and is designed for work in beds, borders, and small plots.

Designs vary. Most tuinscheppen have a flat- or slightly curved steel blade that is wider than a spade, with a long wooden or composite handle. The blade may be straight-edged or have a slightly pointed tip for penetrating soil. Handles can be straight or slightly curved; common variants allow users to work while standing, helping to reduce back strain.

Common tasks include digging holes for planting, turning and loosening topsoil, scooping compost or mulch, filling pots, and leveling soil. A tuinschep is generally considered a light- to medium-duty tool for garden beds rather than heavy-duty trenching work.

Care and maintenance: after use, clean soil from the blade, dry it to prevent rust, and apply a light coat of oil to metal parts. Sharpening is usually unnecessary; check joints for looseness and store the tool in a dry place.

Origin and usage: the term tuinschep translates to garden shovel in Dutch and is widely used in the Netherlands and Belgium, where many households maintain small gardens and allotments.