Testing long-handled hoes
Geoff tests slicing hoes for accurate, speedy weed control, especially in tight spaces
There’s no doubt that a good trusty hoe is the best weapon in any gardener’s armoury when fighting the war on weeds. While a Dutch hoe is a great stalwart, other types of hoes with smaller and thinner blades are also worth adding to the battle lines. I tested several different types on beds full of weed seedlings.
For any hoe to work correctly – to slice through weed stems – it needs a sharp edge to the blade, which these all have in varying forms of triangular, pointed edging.
Slicing hoes can be more efficient, making weeding easier and putting far less pressure on your lower back. You’ll be able to slice through those tough weeds faster!
1Haxnicks SpeedHoe, £29.99
The 12cm (4¾in) long and deep stainless steel blade has very sharp edges all round, so it literally sliced through plant stems. The large, flat head is at the perfect angle for keeping it close to the soil surface. The 1.7m (5ft 7in) long ash handle was absolutely brilliant for me – and anyone taller – ensuring I could hoe without stooping, and at a distance.
2Kent & Stowe Stainless Steel Long Handled Multi-Weeder, £29.99
The 13cm (5in) long stainless steel blade has reasonably sharp edges on all sides and dealt with weeds easily. The ash shaft is tapered for extra grip and comfort and provides a working height of 1.47m (4ft 8in). The pointed, angled blade helped ensure an easy push-pull action through the soil surface.
3Burgon & Ball Weed Slice, £24.99
The front edge of the 11cm (4½in) long, high-carbon steel blade is fairly sharp and it did slice through the stems of weeds it came up against. It’s fairly light (560g/19¾oz), so was easy to move around the beds, and the narrow blade got into many tight spaces. The ash shaft gives a working height of 1.45m (4ft 7in).
4Darlac Vintage Bamboo Weeding Spear Hoe Long Handle, £19.99
The unusual stainless steel blade is 9cm (3½in) long and has a V-shaped weed lifter – perfect for ge ing into very tight areas. The shaft is made from bamboo, which is strong and light – it weighs just 415g (14½oz) – and produces a working height of 1.24m (4ft), too short for me to use without stooping as I’m 1.75m (5ft 9in) tall.
5De Wit Diamond headed Hoe, £39.99
The 19.5cm (7¾in) long, carbon steel blade has extremely sharp edges, ensuring great cu ing with a push-pull action. The narrow tips ensured I could get into awkward corners and hoe close up to wanted plants without damage. The ash handle has a working weight of 1.5m (5ft) and it has a P-grip handle that’s comfortable to use.