A hoe is a long-handled tool with a flat or angled blade used primarily for weeding and breaking the soil surface. The gardener stands upright and draws or pushes the blade through the top layer of soil, slicing weed seedlings and creating a loose tilth that reduces moisture loss.

Styles vary. A Dutch hoe has a sharp rectangular blade that cuts on the push stroke. A draw hoe has a broader blade for pulling soil and creating furrows. Collinear and stirrup hoes offer refined designs for precise work among closely spaced plants. Sharpness is everything; a dull hoe merely scrapes.

Regular hoeing while weeds are small prevents them from establishing deep roots. The tool is also useful for incorporating amendments and shaping seedbeds. Combined with mulching, consistent hoeing keeps cultivated ground clean with relatively little effort.

• Tool with flat blade for weeding and tilling
• Allows upright working posture
• Various blade styles for different tasks
• Most effective when weeds are young