Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
weeds like thistle or dandelion. The fact that the head is very thin allows you to get into small
spaces between established plants.
The cobrahead cultivator makes weeding easy and lets you get in next to other plants already growing.
(Photo courtesy of Baker Creek Seeds)
One of my husband's favorite weeders is the push-style, draw, or scuffle hoe. These have heads that
are parallel to the ground and can be pushed along the ground just under the surface of the soil,
severing the top of the weed from the root. We have a triangle-head weeding hoe that fits easily
between growing plants. It's used a lot at the beginning of the season when grass weedlings (what
we call weed seedlings) are just starting to sprout and the vegetable transplants aren't yet large
enough to shade them out.
A stirrup hoe is another style that is usually used in a push-pull motion just under the surface
of the soil. Again, it works to separate the leafy parts of the weeds from the roots, and is most
effective before the weeds are well established. By chopping off their heads when they are still baby
weedlings, you break up their growing cycle and starve the weeds out until your healthy veggies
grow big enough to block the sunlight. Just picture yourself as the Queen of Hearts and run
through your garden shouting, “Off with their heads!” and you'll be alright.
Traditional hoes are great for digging furrows if you are planting crops in rows. They can be used
to move mulch out of the way or hack a stubborn weed root. We have a wider-head hoe that we use
both early in the season, and later in the season to cut up spent vegetable plants for adding to the
compost bin. We also have a thin, angled hoe that my husband uses for miscellaneous garden chores.
Sometimes we select a particular tool for a specific area or job and sometimes we just grab whatever
is close at hand. Regardless, you want your garden tools to have quality metal heads that won't rust,
bend, or resist sharpening when needed. And you want your handles to be the right size (shorter if
you're shorter and longer if you're tall) and a high-quality material that is shaped comfortably for
your hand.
