Very newbie question.

[Stu_R]

Ok, so I've got a plot of land where Im gonna grow some veg, got my Hoe, and pretty soon I'll be having weeds.


So . . .

what happens next?


Everywhere I read just says hoe out weeds, but what do I actually do.

Do I just chop them to pieces with the hoe or use the hoe to dig them out and pick them up?

[Capsid]

Depends on the weed type. Dandelions and couch grass really need digging out otherwise they will just grow from the roots again. But annual weeds just need their tops slicing off with the hoe.

[oldie]

I have seen a video somewhere about using a hoe. Have a google and look on you-tube. I'll also see if I can find it and post a link.

[pauco]

Get down get dirty, dig em up

[eospete]

my hoe has a very blunt edge, almost a 2mm flat edge to be precise. presumably i need to sharpen it to cut weeds cos it the moment it just seems to double them up in the ground. it does pull them out but certainly doesn't cut. none of my gardening books go into specifics about hoeing
YouTube - Using a Dutch Hoe to remove weeds
YouTube - Use a hoe!

v funny song this one



YouTube - Hoeing Tomato Plants

is a demo. he seems to leave the weeds i reckon to dry on the surface thou in a garden situation i would pick up the hoeings to prevent them re-rooting.

i hope this helps a bit

p

[Two_Sheds]

A hoe is basically a knife on a stick - it's meant to slice the weed off at soil level. Obviously it will only do that if it's sharp

If the weather is hot the hoed weeds will frazzle and die, if you hoe in wet weather the weeds will survive, so scoop them onto the compost heap

[francesbean]

Get a Mattock (borrowed or second hand will do) You'll probably need it to deal with those weeds with long roots - which you will definately have to dig up completely. If you just chop them off at the top - or worst still rotavate and chop them into tiny pieces - you'll end up with thousands of the rotters!

The mattock is probably the tool I use least, but the one I'm constantly pleased to have around when I need it. It's multi purpose and I don't just use it for weeding, but that's another story.

francesbean

[Stu_R]

hey thanks for the replies everyone.

I'm sure I'll be getting a bit of practice on all the methods suggested.



Thanks for the suggestion of a mattock francesbean, definitely looking in to getting 1 of them or even an Azada if I can find 1

[kalimna]

The method I used on my allotment plot, which Ive now had for 3 years and Im just about getting happy with it (!), didnt feature a hoe, just a lot of spade and fork work. Sifting through the soil with your hands is about the only way to get rid of the nasties like couch grass, dock and nettle.
It's tedious, unpleasant work, but you will have a much better plot (and probably tilth too) for it. Mind you, I do use a hoe when veggies are actually growing.

Adam