What's A Canterbury Hoe?
What's This Hoe Used For?
The three pronged Canterbury hoe is excellent for breaking up hard compacted soil surfaces or for cultivating heavy clay soils.
The flat blade version is ideal for earthing up rows of potatoes and will get this job done in no time. It is also ideal for making trenches for potatoes, and again, will get this job done in no time.
Used against a garden line you will get a perfect straight trench.
How Do You Use This Hoe?
To use this hoe effectively for breaking up the soil surface or heavy clay soils you need to hold the hoe with both hands set slightly apart.
Gently stoop and hold the hoe, with the head and most of the handle in front of you and slightly to your side, about 60cm (24inches) above the ground so it feels well balanced and comfortable.
Move your hands apart or closer together to find your most comfortable working position.
Stand with one foot in front of the other by about 45cm (18inches) as you would for using a broom. The hoe is used in a up and down action and when it hits the soil gently pull it towards you while walking backwards.
Depending how high you lift the hoe before you let it hit the ground depends on the depth the hoe will cut into the soil. For earthing up potatoes use in a similar manner to above, but move along the row as you earth up.
It's just as easy to use for trenching. Start at one end of the garden line, with the hoe in the soil at the depth of trench you want, draw the hoe towards you while walking backwards.
To Sum Up
The three pronged Canternury hoe is recommended for breaking up hard compacted soil and cultivating heavy clay soils. The flat blade version is recommended for earthing up potatoes. It is also recommended for making potatoe trenches.
Do you need a Canterbury Hoe?
Yes if you have hard compacted soil surfaces. Yes if you have heavy clay soil that needs cultivating.
Yes if you have a large vegetable garden and grow tons of potatoes.
Otherwise you will not need a Canterbury hoe.
Do you need any other hoes? Yes, if you need to do any weeding a Dutch hoe is more suitable and practical for general weeding and for breaking the surface of compacted soil. If you grow vegetables or have very closely planted flowers a short handled onion hoe is essential.
As a side note, buy the best Canterbury hoe you can afford, it will pay for itself year after year, after year.
A Modern Canterbury Hoe - kinda
Frankly, this tool is almost extinct in North America. You might find one in an antique store or at an auction. I include it beause there is "modern equivalent" that does some of the same things. You'll be able pick rocks, harvest potatoes but it won't work as a "hoe" to edge or dig.
Here's the picture - if you want more information about it, click on the pic.
Click here to ask about a Canterbury Hoe
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