Draw Hoe
How To Identify a Good Quality Tool
The head and neck are usually forged in one piece. But if not forged in one piece the blade should be welded to the neck.Avoid the cheap versions where the blade is riveted to the neck, these will not last.
The shape of the neck should be swan neck rather than straight, this avoids the build up of weeds behind the blade.
The width of the blade will vary between about 10cm (4inches) to about 15cm (6inches) wide. You can get them wider but these are not practical for the average gardener. 15cm (6inches) is the best blade width for the average gardener.
The wooden handle versions tend to be heavier and may need some maintenance to keep them in pristine condition but feel better in the hand. A gentle sand down every few years and with a couple of coats of varnish or lacquer brings them back to almost looking new.
Some plastic coated tubular steel handles have ergonomic moulded handgrips which are intended to make the hoes more comfortable to use and prevent your hands from slipping. That's fine if the handgrips are in exactly the right positions, but my experience has shown that this is not always the case.
What's This Hoe Used For?
The draw hoe is used mainly for general weeding in a "pull-towards-you" motion. This cuts weeds off at the roots and opens up the soil surface, making it easier for water to reach plant roots. You can use the draw hoe for breaking up the surface of compacted soil in small areas.Problem with this Hoe
The drawback with this hoe when weeding or breaking up the soil surface is that you end up walking over the area you have just hoed. This compacts the soil surface, undoing the work you have just done. So the best time to use this hoe for weeding or breaking up the soil surface is when you only need to do a small area and don’t have to walk over the ground you have just hoed.Ideal Use for this Hoe
The draw hoe is excellent for cutting seed drills. (A "drill" is an old-fahioned term or horticultural term for a shallow trench that you'll plant into) Use the corner of the hoe blade on an angle and you can make a drill from about 1.3cm (1/2inch) to about 10cm (4inches) deep quite easily.Another job where the draw hoe excels itself is earthing up vegetables such as potatoes, celery, leeks and asparagus.
How Do You Use This Hoe?
For ease of use and comfort the length of the handle is critical. The handle needs to be long enough to prevent you from having to bend your back too much. The easiest way to find the right length hoe for you is to select one which measures from the ground to your ear.
But, the best position for using a draw hoe when weeding or breaking up the soil surface is to stand upright, holding the hoe as you would a garden broom. In this position and holding the hoe downwards on the soil you should be able to hoe about 30cm (12inches) in front of you without bending your back and without feeling any strain or discomfort in anyway. If you do feel any strain or discomfort move to a position where you feel totally comfortable. You may need to readjust your position a couple of times to get it right.
This is why the length of the handle is critical. Get the right length and you are more than halfway to finding your most comfortable position.
Bottom Line
The draw hoe is recommended for making seed drills for vegetable seeds. It is also recommended for earthing up vegetables, general weeding and breaking up compacted soil surfaces (but only for small areas) Choose a swan neck rather than a straight version and get a good tool rather than a cheap one.Click here to ask about a draw hoe
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