Not all shovels are created equal. There are really only three types of shovels that you'll use most often in your do-it-yourself gardening and landscape projects.
The first is called a round point shovel. This shovel is best for digging through tough soil, digging holes, and removing larger plants.
The second shovel is called a square point shovel. It is great for scooping out loose dirt and shoveling material like sand or mulch.
Finally, there is a garden spade, which has very straight edge. This is the tool used to cut through sod and create perfectly straight lines for edging.
Whatever your job is, there's a shovel that's perfectly suited for it.