Burgon & Ball Perennial Spade RHS Endorsed – Mid-Handled Stainless Steel Dividing Spade

The middle ground that gets more done Between a full-length border spade and a short-handled hand spade sits this one, a mid-handled perennial spade that's long enough to give you decent reach but short enough to stay precise. It's the version most gardeners reach for day to day, versatile enough for general digging but purpose-built for one job in particular: splitting perennials cleanly. The pointed tip is the key feature here. Rather than the flat, blunt edge of a standard spade, this comes to a point that slices through roots rather than tearing them, so when you're dividing an overgrown clump into new plants, the parent plant and the divisions both come through with far less damage. Comfortable at ground level A lot of the work a perennial spade does happens down low, kneeling beside a border, working close in around existing plants rather than standing back and driving a full spade in with your boot. The handle length is judged for exactly that kind of use, giving you great grip and genuine digging power without needing to stand and swing the tool. It's also a natural fit for raised beds, where the mid-length handle extends your reach just enough to avoid leaning awkwardly over the sides. Stainless steel that earns its keep The head is stainless steel, chosen specifically because it resists rust and keeps its clean, polished look season after season, even when it's been left out in the rain more often than it should have been. Underneath the visible steel, the strapped socket is double riveted to an FSC certified hardwood shaft, a detail that adds real strength at the point where most cheaper spades eventually fail. RHS endorsed, lifetime guaranteed This spade carries the Royal Horticultural Society's endorsement, one of the most respected marks a garden tool can carry, awarded only after genuine assessment against the RHS's own standards. Burgon & Ball back every RHS-endorsed stainless steel tool with a lifetime guarantee, so this is a tool you buy once and keep using for years, not something you'll be replacing after a couple of hard seasons. Who it suits Anyone who divides perennials regularly, whether that's herbaceous borders, allotment herb clumps, or rhubarb crowns that have outgrown their space, will get the most from this. It also suits gardeners who prefer working at ground level and want more control than a full-length spade offers, and anyone tending raised beds who wants a bit more reach than a short-handled tool provides. If you're deciding between this and the short-handled version, this mid-length spade is the more general-purpose choice, while the short-handled option suits those who want maximum control in very tight spaces. Looking after it Stainless steel is low maintenance by design, a wipe down after muddy use keeps it looking sharp. The FSC hardwood handle benefits from an occasional coat of linseed oil to keep the wood conditioned, particularly over winter storage.