We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more. Last update on 21st March 2023 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Gardening is one of the best hobbies a person can have. It doesn’t cost much to get started, you can grow just about anything, and you can eat what you grow. But there is one big drawback to growing your own food, and that is weeding. Weeding is tedious, back-breaking work, and it requires a lot of time. That’s where a garden hoe comes in.
A garden hoe is a simple tool that is often overlooked when it comes to gardening. This is a shame because a well-used garden hoe can make a world of difference when it comes to keeping your flower and vegetable gardens clean and weed-free. A garden hoe is simply a long-handled tool with a wide, flat blade at one end and a sharp edge at the other.
In this article, I’m going to tell you what you need to know to buy the best garden hoes available. I’ll also discuss the different types of hoes, how they work, and which ones are best for which applications.
Our Recommended Garden Hoes:
| Image | Product | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Truper 30006 Tru Tough 54-Inch Welded Garden Hoe | 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | AMES 2825800 Action Hoe with Hardwood Handle, 58-Inch | 9.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Rogue Hoe 7 Inch Wide Blade Heavy Duty Garden Cultivator Field Cotton Hoe Tool | 9.1 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Emsco Group 1230-48 Cavex Workforce Hoe | 8.8 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Truper 33119 Tru Pro Forged Eye Hoe, 7-Inch Head, Ash Handle, 54-Inch | 8.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | True Temper 26097200 Forged Garden Hoe with Serrated Edge | 8.2 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Corona GT 3244 Extended Reach Hoe and Cultivator | 8 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Bully Tools 92353 12-Gauge Garden Hoe with Fiberglass Handle | 7.4 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Ashman Garden Hoe – Sturdy Hand Tiller – Heavy Duty Blade | 7.2 | Check Price on Amazon |
Last update on 21st March 2023 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What Are the Different Types of Garden Hoe?
Garden hoes are useful tools that help you with almost any garden task. They are made in several different sizes and shapes. Garden hoes are used to break up the soil, remove weeds, and prepare the soil for planting.
Draw Hoe
This type of tool has a sharp edge on one side and an “eye” (a small round opening) on the other.
Scuffle Hoe
A scuffle hoe is similar to a draw hoe, but it has only one sharpened edge that looks like half of a rounded “U.” This allows you to make both deep and shallow cuts with the same hoe. The shallow cuts help control weeds, and the deeper cuts allow you to open up the soil for seeding or transplanting.
Dutch Hoe
The Dutch hoe is a very versatile garden tool. It has a rounded blade with a straight cutting edge and an angled back, so you can use it to dig into the soil without having to rotate the hoe as you work. You can also use this type of hoe for weeding because its curved shape lets you pull out weeds without disturbing the roots of nearby plants.
Stirrup Hoe
Stirrup hoes are lightweight, sharp-edged tools that use a rocking motion to cut into the soil. This type of hoe is very useful for weeding because it slices through small weeds and cuts off larger ones close to the ground without bringing up fresh soil.
Collinear Hoe
They have a long, flat blade with a sharp edge that runs along its entire length. This makes them useful for clearing out weeds in straight rows or digging trenches for planting seeds.
Warren Hoe
Warren hoes are similar to collinear hoes. The difference is that the blade lacks a sharp edge and has two small eyes instead, so it can be pushed into the soil without pulling anything up. This lets you make shallow cuts in your garden beds and plant seedlings quickly and easily.
Heart-Shaped Hoe
The heart-shaped hoe is a classic garden tool, and few other tools can do as many different jobs in the garden. This type of hoe has a sharp edge on one side and an “eye” on the other side. Then, you pull it back toward you with a slow, chopping motion. If the blade is sharp enough, this type of hoe will slice through weeds without digging up your plants. It also works well for deep weeding on either flat or sloped surfaces.
Spike Blade Hoe
Spike blade hoes’ sharp, pointed blades make them useful for digging into hard-packed soil and weeding in tight spaces. These tools are small and not very comfortable to use while standing, but they’re perfect for weeding around established plants and other small tasks.
Nursery Hoe
Nursery hoes are designed to make it easy to plant seeds in compact soil or potting soil without accidentally slicing them into pieces. These tools often have a short handle and a wide, flat blade that’s sharpened on one side and blunt on the other.
Field Hoe
Field hoes have long, flat blades with sharp edges on one side and a bent back so you can use them for cutting shallow furrows. This type of garden hoe is used in raised beds to mix fresh soil with existing soil while also removing weeds.
How to Use a Garden Hoe
Using the right moves with your body will make it easier to use different types of garden hoes for any job in your yard.
Breaking up soil
If you’re using any type of hoe to break up soil or open up garden beds, make sure you do it right. Always keep your feet shoulder-width apart with one foot slightly forward of the other one, and push your hips back without arching your lower back too much for balance. Also, avoid twisting whenever possible.
If you’re going to be using a hoe for weeding, try to stand or kneel comfortably and pull out weeds slowly while keeping your movements fluid and steady. Avoid digging too deep because this will disturb the roots of nearby plants. Always keep your feet shoulder-width apart with one foot slightly forward of the other one, and push your hips back without arching your lower back too much for balance. Also, avoid twisting whenever possible.
For tasks like breaking up soil in a raised garden bed or harvesting root vegetables, try to kneel comfortably with your spine straight and your feet spread apart with one foot slightly forward of the other one. Push your hips back without arching your lower back too much for balance, and keep your knees bent slightly to avoid straining them. Avoid standing if possible because this can put pressure on the backs of your legs and can injure you if you shift suddenly or kneel unbalanced.
For example, a nursery hoe is perfect for planting in raised beds or containers but would be difficult to use for weeding in normal garden beds. If possible, try using the hoe in the store to see how it fits before you buy.
Most types of hoes need to be sharpened from time to time, but some tools’ blades are made of a stronger material that doesn’t wear down as easily. If you’re not sure how often to sharpen your hoe, ask a garden specialist at your local hardware store for advice.
Things to Consider When Looking for the Best Garden Hoes:
Weight
If you’ll be working in raised beds, a lightweight tool is best because it won’t cause strain on your back. A longer handle will also help with leverage and balance when using heavy tools over a long period of time. However, if you need to chop or break up a lot of soil at a time, a heavy hoe with a shorter handle will be better because it can help you apply more force.
Handle
Handles come in different types for an assortment of jobs. Hollowed-out handles are made to absorb shock and make tools lighter, while solid fiberglass or metal handles are durable but heavy.
This feature is useful for people who are shorter or taller than average, as it can help you use a tool that fits comfortably and gives you the leverage needed to complete a task well.
Blade
There are many different types of blade materials, and each works best with a certain type of soil. Metal blades stand up to rocky soils, but they’re more likely to rust over time. Plastic blades won’t rust but bend easily in rocky soil. A tempered steel blade is durable while being lightweight enough for some tasks, while high-strength tungsten carbide blades are strong yet lightweight.
The blades of your hoes can be straight or curved depending on their intended use. A straight blade is best for weeding and cultivating among larger plants. A curved blade will help you reach between tightly planted rows without damaging flowers and vegetables. Curved blades are also perfect for slicing through weeds’ roots.
Height
A comfortable height will vary depending on which tasks you’ll be doing. For light weeding and planting, a short hoe or cultivator is best. For fertilizing, chopping up the soil, or harvesting root vegetables, you’ll want a 6-inch hoe. If you’re working with rocky soil in raised garden beds, look for something longer to reach the lower levels of the soil easily.
Shape
Shapes vary depending on what tasks they are designed for. A sharp-edged hoe with a thin blade is best for weeding and cultivating, while a gardener’s hoe has a flat edge that can dig deep into the soil for planting or harvesting root vegetables.
Use the square-edged hoes to break up dry clumps of soil and clear them away from your garden beds. The pointed spade hoe is perfect for loosening compacted soil in hard, rocky ground.
Width
The width of your garden hoe can also vary depending on the job at hand. A narrow blade will help you work more easily around vines and small plants while leaving them undamaged. Larger blades are best suited to chopping up weed patches, breaking up the soil, and clearing leaves.
Bending over to weed, break up the soil, and plant seeds can cause strain on your back. A lightweight hoe with a long handle will make those tasks easier. Since curved blades are intended for close work you’ll also want a short-handled tool if those jobs are your main concern. However, if you need to cut through hard soil, chop out small weeds from a larger area, or transplant plants into the ground, you’ll need to add some heft and use a longer-handled tool.
Look for a hoe that can do several jobs well. If you’re not sure what type of blade or handle will work best, ask a garden specialist at your local hardware store to help you choose. You may also want to ask which types of soil each blade is best suited to before making your purchase.
Price and Warranty
You can find garden hoes in a range of price points; however, when you’re deciding between spending a little and spending a lot, be sure to consider what features you need and how often they’ll be used. A cheaper tool may work for your needs, but if it breaks quickly or doesn’t do the job well, then purchasing an expensive hoe was a waste of your money.
The materials most tools are made from are important to consider. Tools that are lightweight may break, plastic ones can wear out or bend if they’re not strong enough for the job, and metal blades will rust if they aren’t able to dry out after use in damp soil. Each type of material has its strengths and weaknesses.
A warranty can be a sign of quality, but only if the company that makes the product will stand behind its product. A lifetime warranty on a poor-quality tool doesn’t make it worth purchasing.
Look for a blade made from high-carbon steel and one with an enamel finish to prevent rusting and brittleness. Stainless steel is also a good choice, but you’ll want to avoid cast iron and carbon steel blades. They’re more likely to rust and break than high-carbon steel is.
Check the handle before purchasing. Is it comfortable? Does it have a grip or brace that provides extra control? Is it easy to hold and maneuver? While wooden handles may be attractive, if they’re not made well they could break. Look for one with a metal or plastic handle that connects to the blade securely, and won’t bend or move when in use.
Maintenance
Proper maintenance will keep your garden hoe working well and increase its lifespan.
- Clean and dry it after each use so the blade won’t rust and damage the handle.
- Use a light coat of vegetable oil to protect wood handles from moisture, mildew, or cracking from drying out.
- Apply a metal coating to carbon steel blades for added protection against rust.
- If you’ll be storing your hoe for several months, apply a thin coat of motor oil to the blade to prevent rusting before covering it.
