How to use a garden hoe
Are you looking for a tool that can help you create mounds of soil or rows in the dirt for planting seeds? Or are you primarily concerned about saving your back from pulling weeds by hand?
Perhaps you want a tool that can chop hard compacted soil. Or something to pry weeds out of cracks in a concrete driveway.
All these tasks require a different type of garden hoe. Below is an overview of the major categories of garden hoes, which garden hoe works best for specific tasks and some of our favorite picks.
What is a garden hoe used for?
A garden hoe is a traditional agricultural tool used to break up soil and control weeds. Like a shovel, a hoe has a medal blade fitted to the end of a long handle and should be used from a standing position. Depending on the size and shape of the bottom blade, garden hoes work best for moving soil, cultivating, planting or weeding.
When to use a garden hoe
Think about your garden tasks. If you primarily garden in a small space or work in raised beds you may not need a full-length hoe. That said, you could benefit from a hand weeder
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or even a soil knife. Another kind of weeding tool is the Hori-Hori knife, which is a classic Japanese weeding tool. The Nisaku NJP650 is made in Japan and has a concave stainless-steel blade to dig out weeds or bulbs. It has a sharp edge on one side and a serrated edge on the other, making it a highly effective weeding tool.Different types of garden hoes
Draw hoes: Used for chopping and pulling, this iconic rectangular paddle hoe is also known as a draw hoe. It’s named after the action you make while using it. Draw hoes should be drawn toward you in one direction. They are the perfect tool for breaking up hard soil, attacking stubborn weeds and mounding soil for crops. You’ll often see draw hoes used for preparing potatoes or pumpkins patches.
Warren hoes: This type of draw hoe has a triangular blade that can reach into tighter spaces and is particularly useful for creating furrows. The Warren hoe, also known as a ridging hoe, allows you to build furrows to keep track of where you planted your seeds. This allows you to keep an eye on young seedlings so they can be nurtured and thinned as they mature.
Scuffle hoes: Unlike draw hoes, scuffle hoes require a push-pull action to slice off weeds in both directions. Scuffle hoes come in a variety of shapes, such as diamond weeders which have sharp edges on all four sides, or winged weeders.
Stirrup hoes: Stirrup hoes, also known as loop hoes, are a popular category of the scuffle hoe. Some are rigid while others oscillate, such as the popular Flexrake Hula-Ho Weeder Cultivator. The stirrup hoe gets its name from its unique look, similar to that of a stirrup swinging down from a saddle. An oscillating scuffle hoe includes a hinge that allows the sharpened blades to wiggle back and forth just under the soil’s surface, severing the weeds.
Dutch hoe: A Dutch hoe is a type of scuffle hoe that you push away from you to clear weeds. This hoe helps control weeds in relatively soft soil and is very popular among European gardeners.
Hand Hoes: If you’re working in an area with perennial plants and don’t want to disturb them, a shorter-handled hoe will help you clear small groups of weeds. This makes it much easier for you to work in between plants. Hand hoes are also incredibly handy for working in raised beds.
Comfort and fit
A garden hoe needs to stand up to the pressure of your body weight. So you’ll want to find one that is durable and made of high-quality materials. Most garden hoes have long wooden poles or handles, which typically last a long time.
Overall length
One major advantage of using a hoe instead of weeding by hand is you can work standing up. By leveraging your body weight efficiently, you can get more work done and spare your back from any strain. Be sure that the handle length is a comfortable fit for your body.
Handle material
Handles are generally made of wood but can also come in lightweight aluminum or fiberglass. You’ll find the most comfortable grip with a premium hardwood, such as white ash. While this is more expensive, it can be worth it if you spend a lot of time in the garden.
Best garden hoes
Best all-around garden hoe
Rogue Hoe Heavy Duty Garden Cultivator Field Cotton Hoe Tool: available at Amazon
Our take: Made of tempered steel and sharpened on all three sides, the Rogue’s 5.75-inch blade is balanced and easy to use.
What we like: The tool head is made in the USA and has recycled agricultural disc blades. It comes with a lifetime guarantee.
What we dislike: At 60 inches, the handle may be too long for some gardeners.
Best bang for the buck garden hoe
Nisaku Nejiri Gama Sharpened Weeding Hoe: available at Amazon
Our take: Made of Japanese steel, the Nisaku blade has one sharpened side to cut weeds but can also be used as a traditional hoe. It’s known for being easy to use.
What we like: Versatile, lightweight and affordable.
What we dislike: The handle is not long enough for the average person to work without stooping. It may not be ideal for clearing large areas.
Best garden hoe for heavy-duty jobs
Truper Tru Pro Forged Eye Hoe: available at Amazon
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Our take: This sturdy draw hoe has a forged seven-inch blade that can tackle tough jobs like chopping into compacted soil, digging into rocky dirt and clearing stubborn weeds.
What we like: Made from premium North American white ash wood, the handle provides comfort while maintaining the integrity of its shape over time.
What we dislike: May need to be sharpened before using.
Best garden hoe for weeding and maintenance
Flexrake Hula Ho Weeder Cultivator: available at Amazon
Our take: This scuffle hoe has a looped blade that wiggles back and forth just enough to dislodge shallow-rooted weeds with minimal effort.
What we like: Sturdy with a comfortable handle, the Hula-Ho is great for clearing areas on a regular basis to prevent weeds from taking over. It’s much faster than pulling weeds individually.
What we dislike: Not very effective on overgrown weeds or weeds with a deep taproot like dandelions.
Best handheld hoe
CobraHead Original Weeder & Cultivator Garden Hand Tool: available at Amazon
Our take: The CobraHead is an ergonomic hand tool with a hook-shaped blade, also known as a cultivating tine. It’s made of tempered steel designed for weeding and plowing through soil.
What we like: Thoughtfully designed, the tool feels like an extension of your hand and can even cut through heavy clay-like soil with ease.
What we dislike: Spade-shaped tip makes it easy for stubborn tap-rooted weeds to slide off of the tool. Some users wished the blade’s tip was forked instead.
Rachel Boller is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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