When it comes to garden tools, forks and spades are two of the most common options found in most sheds and backyards, but many amateur gardeners aren't quite sure when to use one or the other. In general, garden forks tend to be better at penetrating tough and rocky soil, due to the smaller surface area of their tines on the soil compared to the longer and larger shape of a spade. Basically, since forks have tines, rather than a long blade, they make it easier for the user to put pressure on the ground and break through the tough areas. This is a lot harder with a spade. So if you're dealing with rough and rocky ground, it's best to use a fork. However, if you have looser soil, a spade might suffice.