Any Recommendations for a Hoe?

[Helgalush]

I would like to invest in a hoe...but not sure whether there is any advantage in buying a good quality one over a B&Q value one? I'm not really sure what things I should be looking out for when choosing tools like a hoe...can I make do with a cheap one? (Sorry if this is an odd question)

[chris]

I've heard great things mentioned about 'swoe's, I think wilkinson sword make it, but I don't use them so not sure of makes etc...

[sewer rat]

Depends on so many things!! I have a Wolf Garten handle that I buy the attachments for and I love their push pull hoe, but thgis is an expensive way just to buy a hoe (I have a heap of other attachments)
I have used a number of hoes and if I didn't have my WG set up and I was going to be doing a lot of hoeing (which I do) then I would opt for a Swoe.
If your budget allows, this is an excellent tool.
If you don't do a lot of hoeing, then a cheaper model is perfectly sufficient.
When buying, check that you are comfortable with the length of the handle, and the angle at which you will be working the hoe (no point in getting a bad back through weeding), and think about the weight of the head -the lighter the better!

[VirginVegGrower]

Depends on so many things!! I have a Wolf Garten handle that I buy the attachments for and I love their push pull hoe, but thgis is an expensive way just to buy a hoe (I have a heap of other attachments)
I have used a number of hoes and if I didn't have my WG set up and I was going to be doing a lot of hoeing (which I do) then I would opt for a Swoe.
If your budget allows, this is an excellent tool.
If you don't do a lot of hoeing, then a cheaper model is perfectly sufficient.
When buying, check that you are comfortable with the length of the handle, and the angle at which you will be working the hoe (no point in getting a bad back through weeding), and think about the weight of the head -the lighter the better!

I would second the Wolf Garten stuff although I also like my copper bronze hoe. Try googling PKS

[Bigmallly]

If you have a local B&M, I picked one up last week as a spare for £2.99 end of season sale.

[Two_Sheds]

I don't like hoes, don't use one.

My neighbour does, and his weeds are always out of control (each time he hoes he disturbs the soil, allowing more weed seeds to find the light and germinate)

[Helgalush]

Thanks so much for the recommendations and explanations on what to look for, very helpful, thanks.

I don't like hoes, don't use one.

My neighbour does, and his weeds are always out of control (each time he hoes he disturbs the soil, allowing more weed seeds to find the light and germinate)

Two Sheds, please could I ask why you dont like or use a hoe? I would like to know if there is an easily-explainable alternative method you use? Does this tie in with using green manures as weed suppressants and No-Dig type approaches? Thanks in advance if you see this, just a little confused thats all.

[alex-adam]

Generally there are two basic types of hoe (Not counting the propriety brands like Swoe and Wolf-Garten)

The Dutch (or push) hoe and the Draw Hoe, each have different, if ovelapping roles. The most popular is the Dutch hoe, used with a pushing motion with the blade just below the surface of the soil to slice through weeds etc., The Draw hoe is used with a chopping action to destroy weeds and is also used for earthing up crops such as potatoes and for drawing wide drills for peas etc.

As mentioned by other contributors, go for as light a hoe as possible. The overall length should enable you to work standing straight, a rough guide is that the hoe standing upright should be level with your nose.

The most impostant thing to remember that the hoe must be kept sharp at all times.

There are plenty to choose from in garden centres and tool shops and another good source might be your local flea-market or car-boot sale, where really good hoes from famous makers can often be had for just a few ££'s

a-a

[Two_Sheds]

My neighbour does, [use a hoe] and his weeds are always out of control (each time he hoes he disturbs the soil, allowing more weed seeds to find the light and germinate)

Two Sheds, please could I ask why you dont like or use a hoe?

For the reason given above

I would like to know if there is an... alternative method ..?

Mulching is superb at suppressing weeds (look up Supersprout's thread for the superlative method of mulching). Mulching also keeps moisture in your soil, so you need to water less.

Then you've got living mulches (like green manures) which do the same job but provide you with compost material too.

Planting your crops close together (where suitable) also keeps weeds down, because it denies them light (think of how spuds & pumpkins do it with their large leaf canopies). I keep my beds really full, I have no truck with growing in single rows with lots of wasted space in between

I do get weeds of course, esp. after a few days of rain. I try not to stress about it: I let the weeds grow until they either flower or start to compete with the crops, then I pull them out and treat them like any green manure: I compost them.
There isn't the time or energy to destroy every single little weed that appears.

I have hoed, and it seems remarkably quick & easy to do and satisfying. However, I quickly noticed that the hoed areas became infested with weeds again really quickly

[Aberdeenplotter]

Hoeing does disturb the soil and the odd use will encourage weeds. Regular hoeing however does keep the weeds under control and when the summer sun arrives it's amazing how 5 minutes in the morning can result in shrivelled weeds come tea time. As to the kind of hoe to buy, whatever you do, do not buy stainless steel. Far too soft and the edge comes off far too quickly. best if you can source a really old hoe from a junk shop or local auction and then spend some time dressing up the blade to areally sharp edge. Old hoes are made from the best of steel, not the junk that is supplied, engineered to fail quickly, these days

[Glutton4...]

Whilst I do agree with TS regarding the re-emergence of weeds, I find that hoeing does have a place, especially in the flower garden, which is where I spend most of my time. (Not mine, I'm talking paid work.) I have found that hand-weeding is best, and the first and second years are the most intense, after which, if I've done it properly, the job is far less, and a quick hoe-off periodically, is all that is required to keep on top of it, and this allows me to tackle other jobs.

In the vegetable garden, I see hoeing as a quick-fix, until I have time to get back in there and deal with the area by whatever method I choose.

I have actually put the Wolf-Garten set on my CHRIIIIISTMAAAAAS!!!!! list, so, fingers crossed.

[adamhartree]

ive heard theres a few good ones in birmingham red light district if thats the type of hoes your on about although i wouldent know myself. on a seriose note though i have a cheap silverline hoe and aslong as it is kept sharp i find it every bit as good as a expensive one, the only different is buying a expensive hoe costs 5 times the price and the only different is the name on it.

[Alison]

I don't get on with hoes either, I prefer to do a really good hand weed and clear it properly rather than having to hoe every other day.

[Helgalush]

Well I am now in two minds, and have no idea if I want a hoe anymore!! Seems the camp is divided and I am not sure which one I belong to yet. I will have a think but if I do get a hoe, I will keep all your recommendations in mind, so thank you very much everyone for recommendations and suggestions. Much appreciated for a little mind like mine that doesnt know what its doing half the time!

[Glutton4...]

Just to confuse you further, I have taken the Wolf-Garten set of my Christmad list - I bought a new handle for my old Hoe, that had woodworm in the original handle. Having studied the W-G tools, I think my old tatty Hoe is far easier to sharpen!