Guide to Finding the Best Garden Hoe for Weeding Made Easy

Why You Should Get a Garden Hoe For Weeds

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Like most gardeners and veg growers, I’ve had my fair share of struggles with weeds in my small garden. I’m sure you have too!

I used to make the mistake of waiting till a lot of weeds had appeared before deciding it was time to tackle them. That meant weeding became a very time-consuming chore. I rarely got around to doing anything else in the garden. 

At times I gave up and let the weeds take over. I even convinced myself that I was making the choice to “rewild” the garden. But while there is value in letting wild flowers grow in some spaces I only have a small garden. And I want to be able to grow vegetables in it.

With a very small garden, I don’t have the luxury of giving away a lot of space to the weeds! So I decided to take back my garden and deal with the weeds.

Click here to see the best garden hoe for sale now

I’ve realised that little and often is a better approach to weeding than waiting for there to be a lot to deal with. If you catch weeds when they are tiny they don’t have the opportunity to get established. They also don’t have time to spread seeds that will make your whole garden become dominated by weeds in no time. 

Even better, I’ve discovered my favourite garden tool. A hoe for gardening has to be one of the most valuable garden tools you can get. Some gardeners say you only need a garden hoe if you have large areas to weed. But I’ve found mine invaluable even in a very small garden.

Read on to find out about the advantages of using a garden hoe. Plus check out my guide to using a garden hoe and finding the best garden hoes for your needs.

This guide shares a great selection of garden hoes for sale in the UK in 2023.

Click here to see the best hoe for weeding on sale in the UK now

Compare 8 of the Best Garden Hoes

Use my comparison chart to get an overview of garden hoes on the market. Click on the links to check the latest prices and buy. Or scroll down to continue reading my full guide to hoe types and choosing the best one for you. You’ll also find full reviews of each of the products mentioned in this chart below.

Name	Image	Type	Material	Features	Price
Kent & Stowe Stainless Steel Oscillating Hoe		Oscillating Hoe, Long-handled	Stainless Steel head, FSC Ash wood handle	Double-edged swivel head, 15-year guarantee	Check price here
Spear and Jackson Traditional Dutch Hoe		Dutch Hoe, Long-handled	Mirror-polished stainless steel head, hardwood shaft	Weatherproofed, rust-resistant	Check price here
Gardena Combisystem Hand Hoe		Hand-held Double-headed Hoe with Draw Hoe and Rake heads	Steel with Duraplast coating	Soft handle, 25-year warranty	Check price here
Shanfeek Japanese Weeding Hoe		Hand-held Japanese Weeding Hoe	Carbon steel head, wooden handle	Wear resistant, versatile use	Check prices here
Draper 14308 Carbon Steel Dutch Hoe with Ash Handle		Long-handled Dutch Hoe	Carbon steel head with Epoxy coating, Ash Wood Handle	Smooth handle, rust-resistant	Check price here
Sophie Conran Ergo Hoe from Burton & Ball		Hand-held Stirrup Hoe	Stainless steel head, Waxed FSC beechwood handle	Inner blade protects other plants, comfortable handle	Check price here
Stainless Steel Garden Hoe from Burgon & Ball		Hand-held Draw Hoe	Stainless steel head, hardwood handle	90-degree angle blade, tough, durable	Check price here
Garden Draw Hoe + Rake + Grass Lawn Border Edger Gardening Trimmer		Set with Long-handle Dutch Hoe, Edger and Rale	Carbon Steel head, tubular steel handle with rubber grip	Rust free, lightweight, durable	Check price here

Gardening Tool Hoes – Uses and Types

You’ll find lots of information about how to use a garden hoe and the best hoes for weeding in this guide. 

What is a Garden Hoe Used For?

One of the advantages of having a garden hoe is you can use them to deal with weeds at their earliest stage of growth. You might not see the weeds coming up. But using a garden hoe stops most weeds from even getting established.

You can pull or push the garden hoe over the top layer of soil or compost in your growing area in gentle sweeps. It will dislodge and cut through tiny weed seedlings, stopping their growth.

Some hoes are also suitable for dealing with more well-established weeds.

Other garden hoe uses include a light tilling of the top layer of soil to break up clumpy areas.

What Does a Garden Hoe Look Like?

A typical hoe gardening tool has a long handle made from wood, aluminium or tubular steel. It will have a blade tool at the end. Hand-held hoes will have a shorter handle. The tool’s appearance will vary according to the type and purpose of the hoe. There is a rich and varied history of hoe usage in agriculture and gardening. Read on to find out more about different types of hoes for gardening and their usage.

Garden Hoe Types 

The Dutch Hoe garden tool is one of the most common and easy-to-use types. It’s ideal for weeding vegetable beds and other areas of exposed soil or compost. I find this type useful in my small garden. They are sometimes called Scuffle Hoes or Push Pull Hoes. Here’s an example of a Dutch hoe you can buy. There’s a full review of this one further down the article.

How to Use Dutch Hoes: You can skim the Dutch hoe over the top layer of soil or compost in your growing area. The wide, open blade will cut weeds that are just below the surface. This is much better than digging into the soil to get rid of weeds. Digging will likely bring more weeds to the surface, making it harder to keep your growing area weed free.

The Japanese Razor Hoe or Japanese Hand Hoe usually has a short handle and a sharp razor edge for cutting. This is a versatile tool that you can use to cut away more established weed growth and dig holes for planting.

Draw Hoes have flat 90-degree blades. You can use them to chop into weeds. They are sometimes referred to as Grub Hoes. They can be hand-held with short handles or have long handles. Here’s an example of a hand-held one.

The Stirrup Hoe/Loop Hoe or Hula Hoe Garden Tool has a swivelling blade. This makes it flexible so it can get into awkward places to cut into weeds. It’s called a stirrup hoe because it looks like a riding stirrup. It is sometimes known as a Swivel, Oscillating, Loop or Hula Hoe and is very popular among no-dig veg growers.

The Heart Shaped Hoe has a heart-shaped blade. It’s useful for digging ridges into the ground and removing weeds in tight spaces. It’s also handy for breaking up clumpy soil.

Pointed Garden Hoes are useful for removing larger weeds than others might be able to manage. You can pull the pointed hoe over the soil surface and use the pointed end to ease out weeds. They can be useful for use around your established plants. Use with care so you don’t damage the roots of your plants.

Manual Rotary Hoe uses include cultivating the soil to loosen it up before planting. You are less likely to need a rotary hoe in a small garden. And you won’t need one if like me you are using no dig methods and prefer to minimise disturbing the soil.

What to Consider When Choosing a Hoe Garden Tool

Important factors when choosing your garden tools include comfort and usability. You’re likely to use your garden hoe quite often. You’ll want to make sure the tool feels right for you. Check the length and quality of the handle. The kind of gardening you are doing and the space you have can also help you decide which type to get.

1. Length

Choose a long-handled garden hoe for standing use. Or you can choose hand-held hoe tools if you prefer to work at ground level. 

For long-handled options take into consideration the length and your own height.  You’ll need a handle that’s long enough for you to stand straight while using. You’ll want to avoid bending at awkward angles which could lead to back pain. 

2. Material and Finish

Handles

There is a wide range of garden hoes on the market. Some will have wooden handles. Some will have aluminium or tubular steel handles. Aluminium tends to be lighter and you may find that easier to move around with. But it can be cold to the touch and slippery. I personally don’t mind that as I usually have gloves on when I’m gardening.

Aluminium handles might have a section covered in rubber or plastic to improve grip. If that’s the case check the covered area is in the right place where your hands will be holding the garden hoe.

Wooden handles can be heavier but feel warm to the touch. Many people prefer wooden tools because they feel more natural. Some budget options may have rougher finishes. If you’re choosing a wooden handle make sure the handle has a smooth sanded finish. 

Hoe Blade

The blade will usually be carbon steel or stainless steel.

If you’re considering a carbon blade hoe, look out for one with an epoxy or powder coating. This will protect it from rust. One without a coating will need more care to ensure it doesn’t rust, and it will need sharpening more often. Stainless steel blades will stay sharper for longer but are not easy to sharpen when needed.

3. Use

The type of hoe you choose will depend on what you need it for. Light hoe uses include dealing with weeds and loosening the top of vegetable beds. Dutch hoes, stirrup, loop and swivel hoes are ideal for this kind of use.

If you need a heavy duty garden hoe for more heavy weeds you may want to consider a more powerful hoe. You could try a draw hoe, grub hoe or razor hoe. They can have long or short handles. A sturdy hand held hoe can be useful for dealing with stubborn well-rooted weeds. You’ll be able to get closer to the surface for more targeted weeding.

8 of the Best Weeding Hoes Reviewed

Kent & Stowe Stainless Steel Oscillating Hoe – Best Swivel Head Hoe

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Specifications:

This quality hoe has a double-edged oscillating swivel head. It cuts weeds in both directions when using a push-and-pull motion. This reduces effort and deals with weeds fast.

The blade head is stainless steel and rust-resistant with minimal soil cohesion. The handle is ash wood. Its tapered structure provides a comfortable ergonomic grip.

Users who favour an oscillating hoe find it makes weeding quick and easy. If you have a lot of weeds to deal with in a considerable space this is a great option.

Benefits:

• The efficiency of the oscillating head
• 15-year guarantee
• Ergonomic grip
• Rust resistant

Drawbacks:

• A little on the expensive side

Click here to see the latest prices.

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Spear and Jackson Traditional Dutch Hoe – Best Dutch Hoe

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Specifications:

• Long-handled
• 132.08 x 12.7 x 12.7 cm; 740 Grams

Spear and Jackson is a well-established brand. Their traditional style of tools appeals to many gardeners. They established themselves in Sheffield, famous for its steel production.

This Dutch Hoe has a mirror polished stainless steel head and hardwood shaft. The wooden handle is comfortable to use. The traditional Dutch hoe edging is sharp. It’s ideal for sliding between plants and tackling stubborn weeds like dandelions.

It boasts weatherproofing for durability and is rust-resistant with minimal soil adhesion. It was a gold award winner at the Grow Your Own 2022 Great British Growing Award Winners. So it comes highly recommended.

Benefits:

• Easy to use
• Quality manufacturing 
• Good value
• Lightweight
• Sturdy

Click here to see the latest prices.

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Gardena Combisystem Hand Hoe – Best Double-Headed Hoe

Rating: 4.7 out of 5

Specifications: 

• Hand-held
• Available in three widths – 5cm, 6cm or 6.5cm

Double headed hoes can provide the flexibility of two tools in one. With this Gardena one, you can use the draw-style hoe head to remove weeds. You can switch to the raking side of this tool to loosen the soil. You can also use the fork ends to create seed drills.

This garden digging hoe has a high-quality steel construction. It also has a Duroplast coating. The tool has a very utilitarian appearance. But its handle is soft and has ergonomic shaping for comfortable use. It’s lightweight but sturdy so it’s easy to use but suitable for tough jobs. It’s one of the best grub or draw hoes around.

This is a hand-held tool, but you can adapt it to use standing. You can remove and replace the short handle. It’s part of a Combisystem, so you can buy other parts separately like a long handle. The tool has an easy-to-use locking nut for changing the handle.

The 6cm width option has a heart-shaped hoe end, ideal for digging ridges.

Benefits: 

• The angled end helps prevent slipping
• Corrosion resistant coating
• Versatility of use
• 25-year warranty

Drawbacks:

The light weight of this tool makes it easy for most people to use, but some gardeners may prefer a heavier feel.

Click here to see the latest prices.

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Shanfeek Japanese Weeding Hoe – Best Razor Hoe

Rating: 4.7 out of 5

Specifications:

• Hand-held
• 33 x 12 x 3.5 cm; 210 Grams

You can use this hand-held Japanese razor-style hoe for weeding at the soil surface. It’s also great for cutting away high growth of weeds or grass. You can also use it to loosen soil, prune branches and harvest some crops.  It’s particularly useful for getting rid of weeds in awkward spots like rockeries.

Its blade is carbon steel, and its handle is wood.

Benefits:

• Versatile uses
• Wear-resistant with long-lasting sharpness

Drawbacks:

The handle is quite thick and can be difficult for users with small hands to use.

Click here to see the latest prices.

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Draper 14308 Carbon Steel Dutch Hoe with Ash Handle – a Good Value, Quality Garden Hoe

Rating: 4.6 out of 5

Specifications: 

• Long-handled
• Length: 1520mm
• Width: 120mm
• Carbon steel with epoxy coating

This quality Dutch Hoe makes light work of removing budding weeds from the top surface of the soil. Draper is a respected UK-based tool manufacturer. This is a long-handled hoe so you can use it without having to bend down. 

The Hoe has an ash handle with a clear lacquered finish. Its blade is from pressed carbon steel. The ergonomic handle makes the hoe easy to manoeuvre. An epoxy coating gives it great rust resistance. 

Benefits:

• Tough, durable and lightweight
• Smooth handle

Drawbacks:

• Difficult to sharpen

Click here to see the latest prices.

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Sophie Conran Ergo Hoe from Burton & Ball – Best Stirrup Hoe for Stylish Small Gardens

Rating: 4.6 out of 5

Specifications: 

• Hand-held
• 22 x 7 x 5.8 cm; 358 Grams

This is a great garden hand hoe from Burgon & Ball. It is perfect for gardeners who like to get to the bed level and garden on their knees. This hoe works with a blade on the inside of its curved head. This helps avoid cutting into your plants when weeding between them. 

The Ergo Hoe is a neat and small garden hoe and comes in an attractive gift box. Sophie Conran’s design brings country house style to a range of gardening equipment.

It’s still a very practical tool. Its sharp polished stainless steel edge makes it easy to cut through hardened soil to get to weeds. It has a comfortable Waxed FSC beechwood handle. 

Benefits:

• Handy, compact and stylish
• Ideal for targeting weeds where you have a lot of plants. The design prevents you from taking them out too.
• Comfortable to use

Drawbacks:

• The handle is shorter than many hoes, so those with larger hands may find it awkward.

Click here to see the latest prices.

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Stainless Steel Garden Hoe from Burgon & Ball – Best Hand-held Draw Hoe

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Specifications:

• Hand-held
• Width 10cm
• Overall length 25cm

This short handle hoe is an ideal option for when you need to tackle tough weeds in tight corners. The hardwood handle has a comfortable shape, making a tough job feel smoother. Its stainless steel head offers rust resistance. And its sharp edge is great for tackling well-rooted weeds. 

It has a 90-degree angled Draw Hoe head. It can get into narrow gaps in your veggie beds. You can use it to dig into and take out weeds at the root. Burgon & Ball is known for its classic designs, durable and quality tools. This a great garden hoe for heavy-duty use.

It also features a leather cord to hang up the hoe tool when stored at the end of the gardening day.

Benefits:

• Sturdy and high-quality finish
• Its small size means it’s good for getting into tight corners

Drawbacks:

• Some users may find it heavy to use

Click here to see the latest prices.

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Garden Draw Hoe + Rake + Grass Lawn Border Edger Gardening Trimmer – Best Rake and Hoe Set

Buying a tool set can mean that you have to compromise on all the features you are looking for. But you can often find good value deals on tools when you buy them in sets, so it can be worthwhile. 

Here is an example of a set that includes a long-handled Dutch hoe, a rake and a garden edger.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Specifications:

• Long-handled
• Total length of the Dutch hoe – 1380mm
• Total length of the rake – 1300mm
• Total length of the edger – 36” (3 feet or 91.44cm)

The hoe in this set has a tubular steel handle which makes it strong and lightweight for easy handling. It has a rubber grip on the handle for comfort and to improve grip. The hoe handle is extra long for greater reach without having to lean in an awkward way.

The tools in the set are durable and sturdy. The hoe has a carbon steel blade. This is a handy buy for those looking for a good value toolset including a rake, edger and a Dutch hoe.

Benefits:

• Rust free
• Lightweight
• Durable

Click here to see the latest prices.

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I hope you found my guide to garden hoes useful. If you liked this read my guide to choosing a compost bin for a small space. Find more great ideas to make the most of your small garden here on SmallSpaceGrowing.com.

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