How to sharpen a spade ?

I usually grind the front edge, but you'll also want to make sure the front itself is flat and square with the rest of the blade. Better to use a file--slower but less chance of destroying the temper in the blade.
 
You don't GRIND it at all. You get a half round file and sharpen the "front", cutting away from the handle end. Use a steep angle, the edge will last longer.
 
Several years ago I bought two heavy duty steel handled shovels at Menard's for a larger hand dug drainage project. Both shovels came beveled on the back (outside curve) of the blade.

Both shovels cost about $30 before tax. One shovel has a long straight steel handle, the whole shovel is almost 6 feet long, I forget the brand, dark green color. The second is a Fiskars (spelling?) D-handle shovel. It's goofy looking with bent black steel handle and a wide orange D-handle, but I like using it! Both shovels are welded, have inch wide diamond plate foot pads on the top of the blade, and the blades are a little wider and longer than a regular shovel. For me it's been much easier to dig with those new shovels than with my older wood or fiberglass handled shovels.
 
I'd disagree, sort of.

I wouldn't use a grinding wheel.

But I'd use an angle grinder with a sanding disc. Maybe 120 grit.

One quick pass and done with a professional edge.

Should take you longer to plug the grinder in than to sharpen the shovel.

Use the file to knock the burr off the back edge.
 

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