A garden fork and a garden spade are both essential gardening tools, but they serve slightly different purposes:
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Garden Fork: A garden fork has multiple tines (usually 4 to 5) and is primarily used for loosening, lifting, and turning over soil. It is ideal for aerating the soil, breaking up clumps, and mixing in compost or fertilizer. The tines of a garden fork are usually wider apart, making it easier to work with loose or rocky soil.
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Garden Spade: A garden spade has a flat, sharp-edged metal blade that is used for digging, cutting through roots, and edging. It is designed for tasks that require cutting through soil and digging deep holes for planting trees, shrubs, or bulbs. A garden spade is also useful for creating straight edges on flower beds or vegetable gardens.
In summary, a garden fork is more suitable for tasks that involve turning and aerating soil, while a garden spade is better suited for tasks that involve digging and cutting through soil.