For the next several months I’ll be spending a lot of time with these three. I have yet to find the ultimate hoe, but these three are my favorites. Each has their own individual strength, and when used as a team, they are perfection. The one on the left, the curved collinear hoe is perfect for cutting off weeds just below the surface of the soil. Its shape allows you to get into tight spaces between plants and rows, and the tapered ends allow you to use the hoe from a variety of angles. I use this hoe the most. Next, in the center, is the stirrup hoe. This hoe allows you to take out weeds with both a back and forth motion. That’s twice the progress for your effort. This hoe is hands down my dad’s favorite, my only drawback to this hoe is that it really works best in light, well-drained soil. If your soil is damp, or has too much clay this hoe is not nearly as effective. The hoe on the right is a narrow collinear and is ideal for getting very close to plants. It is lightweight and angled to allow the user the dexterity to work in tight spaces, however, its size does mean that it is not as suitable for between row work or large areas.
Each of these hoes in readily available at your local gardening shop. And if you are really into hoes and handtools online sources such as Johnny’s Seeds have enough sizes and varieties to satisfy the most particular tastes. To get the most out of your hoe you need to keep them sharpened in order to remain at the top of their game. Also remember that the wooden handles can be replaced and come in a variety of lengths. If you happen to live in an area with a lot of wood workers you may even be able to have one custom fitted.
My 3 Favorite Hoes.
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