Removing weeds and loosening the soil isn’t necessarily pleasant work, but once in a while it should be done to keep your garden ‘tidy’. And in this area, the range of tools is extensive. For each activity, there is one that fits perfectly. The equipment obviously depends on the size of your garden, but also on the nature of the soil and the type of plantations.
Remember that the better the quality of the tools, the longer you can use them. Ergonomically shaped tools not only make work easier, but also avoid damage to your body and health. So taking care of your soil is an important part of the annual gardening job – a stable bed with a sufficient amount of soil and humus is the basis for the growth and development of your plants.
What is the hoe?
It is the tool that is most generally used to loosen the soil, so that it is best worked. Weeds can be removed with a hoe, and a hoe can help you prepare the soil so that it is ideal for your new plantings.
And the double hoe?
The advantage of a double hoe is that it combines several properties in one and the same tool. Its flat end identical to that of the classic hoe is perfect for weeding, hoeing and leveling. The tines, however, usually two or three, are used to loosen and aerate the soil. Due to its small size, the hoe is a garden tool that allows you to work certain narrow areas with precision.
Removing weeds is a proven and environmentally friendly way to keep the garden airy. Regular hoeing will keep the soil loose and free of weeds. Hoeing is one of the oldest ways to control weeds in the garden. In a well-ventilated soil and nutrient medium, living biological activity can develop – earthworms and other organisms are delighted!
Why use a hoe?
By hoeing your plants, you kill two birds with one stone: furnishing the soil and aerating it. Hoeing breaks up compacted earth and crusts in the upper part of the soil. This improves the air and moisture balance, an important prerequisite for healthy plant growth. If garden soil is ‘chopped’ regularly, weeds can be easily eliminated at an early age. This avoids the laborious weeding that becomes necessary when weeds can grow and spread undisturbed over a long period of time. Even stubborn weeds are weakened in the long term when you regularly cut the ends of their shoots and can then be eliminated more easily.
What type of hoe to use?
There are different types of hoes that are suitable for different uses. It is important for all types of hoes that the handle is long enough to allow vertical work and that the holder is securely attached to the handle. Also pay attention to the quality of the blade or teeth. Inexpensive materials chip quickly and bend easily. For most gardens, standard equipment consisting of a double hoe or a hoe for weeding and loosening the soil is sufficient. Only purchase additional devices if they are needed for specific applications. Attention ! Never leave a hoe on the ground, especially with the blade pointing up. You could step on it and injure yourself. Always keep the tool upright when working in the garden. When the job is done, clean your hoe and put it away.
When is the best time to hoe your garden?
The best time to weed is immediately after a light rain. Weeds are the hardest to get rid of after a long dry spell because the ground becomes very hard. If necessary, moisten the soil before hoeing. Conversely, if the soil is too wet, it should not be tilled. Let it dry first.
And for the little story…
The word binette would come from Monsieur Binet who was the wigmaker of King Louis XIV. He called himself the artist who makes the king’s wigs. He was keen to find throughout the kingdom hair of the same color as that of Louis XIV. The wigs in question were somewhat extravagant. From there would be born the expression: “what a funny hoe! “. Because colloquially, the hoe is the face. It’s the mug or the trombine. Similarly, “to break the hoe” is a colloquial expression that is equivalent to saying “to fall”. And not exhaust yourself hoeing the earth!