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Using the wrong tool for the right job can have you thinking that the tool is not effective.
For example, using a classic draw hoe to dig out small weeds in your garden will not work. It will feel cumbersome, and the results will be hardly pleasant.
However, if you use it to break up clumps of dirt and dig out bigger weeds, it will work like magic! Finding the best hoe for weeding comes down to understanding the types of hoes in the market.
Let us discuss these before zeroing on some options that will have your garden looking like it is straight from a magazine spread!
Which Hoe is Best for Weeding?
We cannot quite say that one hoe is better at weeding than the other. Of course, there are hoes suited for this task and would be amazing at it.
However, once you have compiled a list of good weeding hoes, you can only narrow in on the best choice by looking at:
The Height of the Hoe
Unless you want to strain your back when weeding, a long-handled hoe should meet some requirements.
First, their top should reach your shoulder when you hold the hoe vertically against your body.
Secondly, when using the hoe, its end should reach your stomach. Finally, it should be possible to use the hoe without bending to the point of straining your back.
The Handle
A comfortable hoe should have a good grip; else, you will spend most of the weeding time struggling with your implement.
Wood handles are soft and are the most common. If you care for them well, they will not splinter. Metal handles are durable.
However, they tend to be rigid and can induce fatigue after a few hours of use. You can also use fibreglass handles which are amazing at absorbing shock or go with cushioned handles for the ultimate grip.
The Blade
The quality of the blade determines how effective your efforts will be. Stainless steel features corrosion resistance but only works for small weeding tasks.
In addition, you cannot sharpen such a blade. Tempered blades, however, are stronger and can be sharpened. On the downside, they have no corrosion resistance.
What Types of Hoes are There for Weeding?
Now that you understand that not all hoes can weed, which options do you have? Surprisingly, you have a ton of hoes you can use for the same job. They include:
1) Multi-Purpose Garden Hoes
These hoes, as the name suggests, work for various tasks. They feature a large blade that curves to the inside.
Their scraping technique makes them ideal for using less energy and yet covering a wide area. When weeding between plants and even in nooks, you need a hoe like this which takes one pass to get it right!
2) Scuffle Hoes
Did you know that weeding is not as hard as it may seem? All you need is the right tool. Scuffle hoes come in different finishes with the same purpose- cutting weeds below the soil surface.
Their shearing technique cuts weeds even before they have had time to establish. You can use them to eliminate small weeds and even reach plants in tight nooks.
Also, you can use the hoes to break up soil clogs in preparation for planting.
3) Enclosed Blade Hoes
When weeding around mature plants, it is often hard to avoid injuring the plants. These hoes have enclosed blades which makes it easier to work around plants and not hurt them.
The sides do not feature any blades, and you can easily work over an area without fear of avoidable injuries, even to yourself.
4) Short-Handled Hoes
Working with long-handled hoes works great when you are covering wide areas on your feet. However, working with a long handle can be frustrating if you need to get closer to the action.
Instead, you require a short handle you can easily manoeuvre as you weed out smaller plants.
5) Swoes
Weeding unwanted running plants can be a very challenging task. On the one hand, not removing them can deny nutrients to your plants.
On the other hand, removing them can injure the wanted plants. Striking a balance often becomes hard. Luckily, you can always use a swoe.
It slides under the running plant and enables you to uproot the whole thing. You can then get rid of all the plant parts and leave the wanted plant in place and unharmed.
These hoes also work in nooks and cracks where reaching the weed proves to be hard.
6) Stirrup Hoes
You may have noticed that most hoes work in one direction. Stirrups, though, feature hinges or loose handles, allowing you to move them to and fro. You can cover more distance this way without using a lot of energy.
7) Warren Hoes
With sharp points, these hoes can dig out weeds with deep roots. They are quite light on the hands and feature triangular shapes that allow them to move deep into the soil.
You can also rely on these hoes for planting seeds by running the hoes over fresh soil and creating furrows for the seeds.
The opposite side of the hoes features some ears, and if you flip the hoes, you can use them to cover the seedlings with soil. Some warren hoes feature shapes other than triangles, but the working mechanism is the same.
8) Serpentine Hoes
Sometimes, you need a small, curved tip to get to weeds in nooks. It could be on a pavement, between other plants etc. Such spaces call for flexibility which other hoes may not afford you.
With its head shaped like a snake head, a serpentine hoe is what you need in this case. It works great in reaching tight spaces and might be what you need to eliminate all small and hidden weeds in your garden.
9) Draw Hoes
These classic hoes are amazing at loosening soil and digging up weeds over large sections. They are especially useful if the weeds have strong roots and are deep-set in the ground.
Most gardeners have a form of draw hoe in their shed. You never know when you will need to go ham on those weeds.
10) Dutch Hoes
Most hoes pull the weeds towards you. Dutch hoes, on the other hand, push the weeds.
You lay the hoe on the ground and move it away from you, giving it the push to etch its place beneath the soil surface. As it moves through the soil, it cuts weeds from their roots. It works on soft soil.
11) Spike Blade Hoes
When working with weeds in tight spaces, smaller blades are always the better option. These hoes feature blades that resemble knives that cut deep into the soil.
They might be the answer if you have a narrow garden bed or need to work between congested plants.
If you are enjoying this article you may want to check out our article on action hoe vs garden hoe.
Our Top 5 Best Hoe for Weeding
It is now time to zero in on some of the best weeding hoes in the market.
1) Truper 33119 Tru Pro Forged Eye Hoe, 7-Inch Head, Ash Handle, 54-Inch
The wood handle ends with a large, tapered end, making it easy to grab on the head and use the hoe for long without tiring.
Uses include weeding, clearing grass and even making furrows on the ground.
2) DeWit Right Hand Dutch Hand Hoe
It comes with both right hand and left-hand options to help you choose what feels most comfortable.
With a total weight of about 0.75 pounds, you will barely feel its weight as you move through the weeds.
While it is lightweight, it is in no way weak and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
3) CobraHead Original Weeder & Cultivator Garden Hand Tool
It features a small build which makes it easy to use.
At its end, it has a tempered steel blade that moves easily through any soil and any weed.
The handle is plastic and feels comfortable regardless of if the gardener is left or right-handed.
With a comfortable grip and minimal weight on your hands, you can weed for hours on end.
4) Truper 30002 Tru Tough Welded Warren Hoe
It gets to the roots and cuts them at the source, making it harder for weeds to sprout again.
You can choose the size of hoe you want with options starting at 48 to 60 inches.
5) AMES 1985450 Mini Action Hoe
Its triangular head relies on a forward and backward motion to cut weeds from their roots.
With a gel grip on the hoe coupled with a hardwood handle, using this hoe should not be an uphill task.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! Weeding unwanted plants from your garden should not be a headache-inducing task.
Instead, it should be enjoyable, enabling you to give your live plants the care they deserve. If you have the right garden hoe on your side, you will be good to go.
Happy gardening!
If you enjoyed this article check out our article on when should you use a tiller?
