Weeding is generally one of the gardener’s least favourite tasks, but a good hoe can make the task not only easier but often, in my experience, actually enjoyable.
Now, I had better qualify that last statement. A lot depends on the type and quality of your hoe. So, let’s look at these points below.
When to use a garden hoe
Hoes are designed to clear weeds by skimming just under the soil surface and cutting the weed off at its roots. It follows, therefore, that the hoe is most effective when used to clear annual or very shallow rooted perennial weeds.
For weeds that have a taproot or which spread through their root systems (through rhizomes or stolons, for example), hoeing will remove the surface growth but will not prevent the weed from regrowing at the root. However, continual hoeing of perennial weeds in this way will weaken them over time, because the removal of the top growth prevents the plant from being able to photosynthesise.
Hoeing is best carried out in warm and dry conditions because the uprooted weeds can be left to shrivel up and die off on the surface of the soil. If conditions are damp, there is always a risk that the weed will re-root. So in that case, you need to make sure you pick up and dispose of the uprooted weeds.
But when conditions are right a good hoe will make short work of a weedy patch of ground, allowing you to make a big improvement in a relatively short space of time.
Choosing the best garden hoe
There are several different kinds of garden hoe (including some used specifically for digging, which I’m not covering here), and to add to the confusion they tend to be called different things in different places.
So, for the sake of simplicity and to illustrate the main garden hoe types, I will focus on a selection produced by the Dutch company Sneeboer. My lovely wife bought me a Sneeboer hoe (pictured above) – and a Sneeboer garden rake – about 15 years ago, and (along with my Felco number 2 Secateurs) these are probably the best tools I’ve ever had. In the UK, Sneeboer tools are available from Harrod Horticultural. In the USA, they are available here.
The pull or draw hoe
The pull hoe, unsurprisingly, is designed to be pulled towards you as you scrape under the surface of the soil. The angle of the blade and, in the case of the Sneeboer, the swan neck, ensure the blade can be positioned to gain good traction as you drag it towards you through the weed roots.
As you can see, the pull hoe comes with different shaped and sized heads. These Sneeboer hoes come with 10, 15 or 20 cm rectangular heads, and even with a half-moon shaped head. This means you choose the kind that suits you based upon the areas you will be working in and the use you want to put the hoe to. The narrower headed hoe, for example will be useful for working between narrowly spaced rows of vegetables.
Another advantage of the pull hoe, if it is of sufficient quality and strength, is that it can be used for some digging tasks, such as breaking up a hard surface, drawing out furrows or drills for seed planting or hilling up the soil around potato plants.
The push hoe
The push hoe – and here is another surprise – is designed to be pushed through the soil to cut off the weeds at their roots. This pushing action means you can put a lot of force behind your hoeing, which can be can be an advantage with particular overgrown areas, tough weeds, or hard ground.
This Sneeboer push hoe is available in 3 different widths – 15.5cm, 22.5cm and 27.5cm and like all Sneeboer hoes has an ash handle and a toughened steel blade. The push hoe’s blade is sharpened on all four sides, so you can clear weeds as you pull the hoe back or move it from side to side, as well as with the pushing motion.
The Dutch hoe
As you can see from the pictures at the tope of the page, the Sneeboer Dutch hoe is the hoe I favour.
It has a fairly wide, 14cm, blade. So you have to be carefully if weeding in narrow spaces between plants. But the sharpened steel front and rear blades cut effortlessly through the soil – and the weeds roots – making weeding a genuinely satisfying experience.
The Ash handle is solid but smooth and comfortable to hold. The angle of blade to handle means that with a slight adjustment of the height at which you hold the handle you can easily find a position that is both efficient and comfortable for you to work in.
The whole tool has a balance to it that makes it feel quite weightless as you use it. So I have no hesitation in recommending these hoes.
Main points to consider when buying a hoe
- Based on the descriptions above, think about the kind of hoe that is likely to suit you personally and the kind of hoeing you are likely to be doing.
- A hoe should reach between the heigh of your armpit and the top of your shoulder to be suitable for you. Some shorter handled versions are available – usually called ladies hoes.
- Choose the best hoe you can afford. Look for hardened steel, solid handles and extended manufacturers guarantees.
Alternative hoe selection
The hoes below are generally a bit cheaper than the Sneeboer hoes recommended above, but worth investigating. If you clink on the links you’ll be taken to the Amazon site where you are located.
- ▲【Push Pull Hoe Garden Tool】Our garden hoes are designed with push-pull motion which is safer and more efficient for weeding, cut weed roots or cultivating around live growing plants with ease.
- ▼【Weeding Hoe Long Handle】Hoe Length is adjustable to be 30″, 43″ and 60″ which provides maximum comfort for tall gardeners and protect you from bending over.
- ◀【Sturdy Quality】Weeding tools for garden are made of Commercial grade & extra thick 1.3″ diameter premium steel which is sturdier and made to last for years.
- ▶【Easy to Install】1 mins to assemble this collinear hoe by screwing 3 pieces together with no extra tools required. Exactly different hoes gardening!
- ▲【Service Best】DonSail provides 1 Year limited maintenance or replacement so that feel free to contact us whenever! Enjoy this all steel hardened hollow hoe for weeding!
- Stirrup Hoe and Cultivator: This is a 2 in 1 hand garden hoe and cultivator combo with adjustable handle, perfect for weeding,ditching,seeding,loosen soil,cultivate vegetables and flowers, uproot weeds
- Heavy Duty Garden Hoe and Rake: Constructed of 1.3″ thick diameter premium steel, this garden tool does most jobs around the garden,lawn. Work with the toughest roots,bricks and soil without bending, cracking or falling apart
- 73” Adjustable Handle: Adjust the handle length of this garden hula hoe and rake from 37 to 73” by adding or taking out extensions. 1 1/8” Rod diameter makes it strong enough for heavy duty gardening work. For kids and adults, for weeds difficult to reach
- Easy to Install and Organize: Our garden hole with cultivator takes up less space in your garage. Perfect for on the go transport and outdoor camping activities with easy assembly design
- Warranty: Each garden hoe and rake come with 12 month warranty. Replacement and refund are available without return once you message us. All hardware included for the installation
- ATJ-PE, 48-inch premium grade waxed hardwood handle for strength and economy
- Welded 6 inch garden hoe
- Matt-black painted head
- Handle length is 48-inch
- Truper 30003, for occasional user looking for reliable tool
- 54-inch professional grade premium north american white ash handle
- White ash handles give optimum ratio of resistance and flexibility
- 7-inch eye hoe head
- Use on farm or ranch for a lifetime of use
- Tru pro is the contractors choice for professional use
- Corona’s new line of EXTENDED REACH hand tools are designed for working in raised -bed gardens small garden and tight access locations
- ComfortGEL grips deliver comfort to gardeners who seek an easier more therapeutic gardening experience
- Optimal 36-in length for long reach and balance – ideal for gardeners who find many long handle tools to hard to manage
- Country of Origin China
- Hoe and Cultivator: This is a 2 in 1 hand garden hoe and cultivator combo with adjustable handle, perfect for gardening,landscaping,weeding,digging,seeding,loosen soil,cultivate vegetables, uproot weeds
- Heavy Duty Hoe and Cultivator: Constructed of carbon steel, this garden tool with sharp blade does most jobs around the garden,lawn. Work with the tough roots,bricks and soil without bending, cracking or falling apart
- Long Handle: Adjust the handle length of this garden hoe and tiller in 16” or 31” by adding or taking out extensions. 1 1/8” Rod diameter makes it strong enough for heavy duty gardening work. For kids and adults, for weeds difficult to reach
- Easy to Install and Organize: Our garden hoe and cultivator takes up less space in your garage. Perfect for on the go transport and outdoor camping activities with easy assembly design
- Warranty: Each garden hoe and cultivator has 12 month warranty. Replacement and refund are available without return once you message us. All hardware included for the installation
- Multifunctional Garden Hoe: This handy all around garden tool holds up through a season of gardening, perfect for cutting weeds, breaking up compacted soil, loosening the top layer, digging small hols, mixing, ridging
- Hoe with Long Handle: You can adjust the handle length of this garden hoe in 25”, 40”, 55″ by adding or taking out extensions. 1 1/4” Rod diameter makes it strong enough for heavy duty gardening work
- Sharp Edge and Pointed Corners: Constructed of carbon steel, this garden hoe with sharp blade and point corner does most jobs around the farm, garden, lawn, especially for dry hard soil and huge backyard. Please keep away from pets and children
- Beautiful Craftsmanship and Welds: Our hardened hollow hoe with long handle is of excellent craftsmanship as well as effective at doing the job, withstand frequent use without bending, cracking or falling apart. Coated surface prevents the hoe and handle from rusted
- Easy Installation and Organization: The hollow garden hoe takes up less space in your garage. Perfect for on the go transport and outdoor camping activities. Each garden hoe come with 12 month warranty. Replacement and refund are available without return once you message us
- Rogue Hoe line are professional quality tools built from recycled agricultural disc blades
- Designed extremely durable with long lasting sharp edges
- 7 inch wide cutting blade edge breaks up sod, cultivates, and clears waste trees up to 1 inch diameter
- Durable and holds up to heavy use, the socket and blade are welded together
- Blade measures 7 inches wide (along cutting edge) x 6.5 inches
- Ideal for hopping, weeding, and clearing garden growth
- Non-slip grip added for comfort and control
- The blade is notched at the edges for cleaner cutting
- Made with a high carbon steel head and wooden handle
- Multifunctional Garden Hoe: This super handy all around garden tool holds up through a season of gardening, perfect for uprooting weeds, breaking up compacted soil, loosening the top layer, digging small hols, mixing, edging where manual cultivation and weeding are necessary
- Wide Sharp Blades: Blades in size xxx of allows you to weed your garden in minutes not hours, gets deeply down into the soil and roots. Excellent metal edge and pointed for easy weeding even when the soil is dry or rocky
- Adjustable Handle Length: Adjust the handle length of this garden hoe in 15”, 30”, 45″ or 60” by adding or taking out extensions. 1 1/8” Rod diameter makes it strong enough for heavy duty gardening work
- Heavy Duty Triangle Hoe: Constructed of carbon steel, this garden hoe with all sharp edges does most jobs around the garden,lawn. Work with the tough roots,bricks and hard soil without bending, cracking or falling apart
- Compact and Warranty: The detachable design of this hoe makes it convenient for taking out or organization. Each garden hoe has 12 month warranty. Replacement and refund are available without return once you message us
Last update on 2023-09-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Note – As per our general disclosure notices, all product links are affiliate links which mean I can receive a small commission if you purchase an item after clicking one of these links.
Martin Cole has been an avid gardener for more than 20 years and loves to talk and write about gardening. In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition. He is a member of the National dahlia Society.
He previously lived in London and Sydney, Australia, where he took a diploma course in Horticultural studies and is now based in North Berwick in Scotland. He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012. The website is aimed at everybody who has been bitten by the gardening bug and wants to know more.
Gardening Step by Step has been cited by Thompson and Morgan, the UK’s largest mail order plant retailer, as a website that publishes expert gardening content.
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