Stupid question about Hoes

[clarelouise4]

This is probably the dumbest question ever, but what is the best way to use a hoe? I see all these tips about using them to clear the weeds as they grow through, but I've never seemed to have got the hang of using one effectively.

Any help gratefully received.
Thanks
Clare

[clarelouise4]

Thanks for that LJ - it did make sense - I shall go and try it out on all the weeds tomorrow.
Clare

[Hazel at the Hill]

That is a perfectly good question, and I speak as one doing first time hoeing at the weekend (I'm more of a fork kinda' gal).

I did note that if you have the angle of the hoe too shallow to the ground you are likely to skate straight over the ground and pitch yourself forward in a most undignified manner, and if you have the abngle too steep, you just jam the thing into the ground with a grunt.

I guess that you are aiming at somewhere between these two...in fact

...just push the hoe forwards on top of the ground so that the 'blade' shears off the weeds.....

[rustylady]

There are more than one type of hoe. The common one looks like a "D" on the end of a handle. This one you use as LJ says. There is another type which is similar looking, but the blade points down (did know the names but forgot). This type you use by pulling towards you and literally chopping the weeds out.

[Peter]

There are more than one type of hoe. The common one looks like a "D" on the end of a handle. This one you use as LJ says. There is another type which is similar looking, but the blade points down (did know the names but forgot). This type you use by pulling towards you and literally chopping the weeds out.

That'll be a dutch or draw hoe, used in a gentle chopping motion.
Long thin handle plus too much effort equals one short handled hoe with spare handle.

Best used for earthing up yer spuds.

Lots of the other type, one like an aircraft wing with a swanneck welded to the narrow end and sharpened on three sides is very useful

Another useful type is the "Wolf" multi-pronged device, a bit like a cross beteween a plough and a chisel plough.

[Snadger]

........................one like an aircraft wing with a swanneck welded to the narrow end and sharpened on three sides is very useful

This is the type I use most. Its called a Wilkinson Sword Swoe!

Handy for hoeing in between plants because you can use it with a pushing, pulling or chopping motion so you can hoe around all sides of an individual plant without moving position!!!
Light aluminium handle makes it comfortable to use for long periods as well!

[Snadger]

Forgot to mention another handy hoe...an Onion Hoe!! Designed for using in which vegetable bed (go on guess!!)

Basically a short crook neck handled hoe with a small half round blade. Used usually on hand and knees or stooped. Used for lightly tickling around onions which have shallow roots, but useful in any area where plant rows are close together!

[clarelouise4]

Thanks so much for all the advice guys. My plot certainly has plenty of weeds to practise on so hopefully I'll soon get the hang of it.
Clare

[Pottypotter]

pull out the perenial roots though or they will grow again ie: dock leafs

[*Feather*]

Forgot to mention another handy hoe...an Onion Hoe!! Designed for using in which vegetable bed (go on guess!!)

Basically a short crook neck handled hoe with a small half round blade. Used usually on hand and knees or stooped. Used for lightly tickling around onions which have shallow roots, but useful in any area where plant rows are close together!

This is the hoe I use the most.

The only problem with hoes is that I find them useless for weeds that are a little bit too big (and for bindweed!). I, like Hazel, prefer to use the fork and pull them out roots and all

[clarelouise4]

I do tend to use a fork - my allotment was derelict so there are so many perennial weeds to take out, but there are a few others growing back and I thought that a hoe might make it easier.

Thanks for all your tips - hopefully I'll get the hang of it !!
Clare

[Mrs Dobby]

We've been using our Hoe inbetween the onions and garlic, but when its a bit of bindweed thats coming up, then its definitely a reach for the fork and dig it out moment!

Actually, we've been quite impressed, after uncovering some of our beds (that have been double dug over the past 6 months) we've only had about 10 bits of bindweed and 7 or 8 dandelions start to grow back so far, not bad for a plot that was 8' deep and thick with the stuff! Hopefully any more that comes back we will manage to keep on top of!

[has-bean]

Any suggestions how to keep a hoe sharp??? Also any professionals in Devon who can sharpen tools??? Never seems to be a man with a grindstone on his horse and cart these days

[Two_Sheds]

I can't use a Hoe, because I don't leave any bare ground or plant in rows. Instead I plant closely thereby shading out weeds and getting more crops too. For the odd weed that comes up, I slice it off with an old kitchen knife

[rustylady]

Hoes are good for annual weeds that have just germinated, and for keeping the soil loose. They are totally useless for perennial tap-rooted weeds such as dandelions, docks, and brambles. All they do is cut off the top growth. Having said this, they do have their place in the veg garden. As for keeping a hoe or spade sharp, has-bean - get yourself an oilstone or knife sharpener (one of the rod type) and use it on the blade. Done fairly often it works well.