hoe

A hoe is a hand tool consisting of a long handle connected to a blade or head that is used for weeding and cultivating soil. The blade is typically set at an angle to the handle, allowing the user to chop, pry, or slice weeds just beneath or at the soil surface. Hoes are common in gardens and small-scale farming for maintaining weed-free beds and for loosening soil.

Common types include the Dutch hoe, which has a flat, thin blade held parallel to the soil to slice weeds just under the surface; the scuffle or push hoe, with a blade perpendicular to the handle used for pushing or pulling through the soil; the stirrup hoe, featuring a U-shaped blade that cuts on both forward and backward strokes; and the traditional draw hoe, with a blade at a right angle to the handle used for chopping or smoothing. There are many variations such as the Warren hoe and the onion hoe, each designed for specific tasks or crops.

Materials and construction vary by design. Blades are typically steel and may be carbon steel or stainless; handles are commonly wood (such as ash or hickory) but may be fiberglass or metal. Some hoes have detachable heads or interchangeable blades. Maintenance focuses on keeping the blade sharp, removing soil and moisture after use, and storing in a dry place to prevent rust.

Uses extend beyond weeding: hoes are used to break up shallow soil, prepare seedbeds, and cultivate between rows. Safety practices include keeping the blade away from the body, using proper stance, and handling the tool with attention to the blade’s sharp edge.

History and etymology: hoes are among the oldest handheld farming tools, with widespread use across many cultures since ancient times; the word’s precise linguistic origins are uncertain but it is attested in various Germanic languages dating to the medieval period.