On Fri, 8 Nov 2013 14:33:13 +0000 (UTC), HerHusband
wrote:

A shovel is for digging, not prying; for that
you use a spud bar or a pick.

We have very rocky soil. Everything from pebbles up to boulders 6 feet
across. It's virtually impossible to use a shovel here without doing a bit
of prying.

Even more reason to not use a shovel for prying. Loosen everything up
with a bar first, then clear the hole with the shovel.