Topic: I need a new hoe??

[MrsKP]

Oh no !  That's  private.   :D  and seeing as I'm the one that takes the pics, it'll be staying that way.

 ;D

[caroline7758]

I was watching on old episode of GW on UKTV gardens last night. A chap on there swore by his "blade hoe" which seemed to work on a similar principle to the oush-pull one but the blade was much thinner. Anyone got one of these?

[Curryandchips]

I made my own, a stirrup hoe with a blade made of 1mm stainless steel. It is a fabulous weapon, and chops the weeds a treat ...

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=18171.20

Derek :)

[Obelixx]

I'm dangerous with a Dutch hoe and don't get on too well so I'm thinking of making it a "sculpture" in my veggie patch along with a similar old fashioned 2 prong fork and a narrow spot weeder tool.   

I love my Wolf push me -pull you head so much I bought a second so OH and I can both play at the same time.  We have a selection of handle lengths from hand for close work on my knees, to waist high T bar for the half-moon, chest high straight handle for use with the pruning saw attachment in trees (and for Possum when she was shorter) and long for hoeing, raking, cultivating etc.   I find the long wooden handle sits well in my hands but the long aluminium one is lighter. 

We also have Wolf loppers and a fertiliser distributor dooberry (lawn weed and feed and so on) but my secateurs are trusty Felcos.

[tim]

Forgot to answer the question of wood or aluminium shaft.

Accepting the problems that folk have in lifting, I think it is fair to say that the wooden ones are best - because their weight does the work for you. Both in the drawing & push-pulling modes.

[MrsKP]

The decision was made for me tim, they didn't do the wooden one in the length I wanted therefore I went for the aluminium one.  I realise that I could have cut the top of the wooden one, but I didn't want to do that.

Waited for everyone to disappear tonight and had my first go at hoeing.

Thought I did ok.  Seemed easy enough, like using an upright hoover (?) - ish ! and it definitely worked.  However, I do think I need the smaller head, which I'll purchase when I can think of something else that I need to take me to free delivery (and when they've got it in stock).

How you getting on with yours Jeannine ???

 ;D

[katynewbie]

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Am loving this thread! Work mates would have their opinions of me confirmed if they knew I was avidly reading about hoes!

Just checked your blog KP...it looks great! Such a lot of hard work in a short time, you have done really well

 ;)

[Jeannine]

Hi Mrs KP. I am doing fine with mine,much better than anything I have had before.

2 things though. We bought both sizes and two handles, one about a foot longer than the other,one for me and one for John......wrong.

I started with  the smaller one and the shorter handle, within a few minutes I realised it was too short and swapped it for Johns. Next I tried the bigger head on the longer handle. Much better.

So the short one is at the back of the shed along with the shorter handle.

Ain't life funny !!!

XX Jeannine

[MrsKP]

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Am loving this thread! Work mates would have their opinions of me confirmed if they knew I was avidly reading about hoes!

Just checked your blog KP...it looks great! Such a lot of hard work in a short time, you have done really well

 ;)

Gasp !!!!!  How blase have I got ? I planted things tonight and DIDN'T TAKE PHOTOS !!!!!!   :o

[MrsKP]

Hi Mrs KP. I am doing fine with mine,much better than anything I have had before.

2 things though. We bought both sizes and two handles, one about a foot longer than the other,one for me and one for John......wrong.

I started with  the smaller one and the shorter handle, within a few minutes I realised it was too short and swapped it for Johns. Next I tried the bigger head on the longer handle. Much better.

So the short one is at the back of the shed along with the shorter handle.

Ain't life funny !!!

XX Jeannine

I must admit that I found myself stooping with the 120cm working as far away from me as I would a hoover.  Once I'd straightened myself up, I found it unusual working so close !  Maybe with a bit of practice, I'll get used to it !   ;D

[Jeannine]

Nah...John will have to learn to stoop.

[tim]

I really must apologise for being so tunnel-visioned on the push/pull hoe.

Here, & here http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,34483.0.html & probably elsewhere.

Virtually all my hoeing is in cultivated ground & the PP is great for that. But - come to ground that is trodden down, especially with tufty grass in it, then a Draw Hoe, & a heavy one at that, is a must for hacking into it.

And, of course, for earthing up.