I can't remember when we had an August this wet. Instead of the usual parched grass and the gibbon-like arms from carrying watering cans, we have lush grass needing constant mowing, a population explosion amongst slugs, and weeds, weeds, weeds.
 Click on the pic to go to the RHS article on hoeing | The old saying was "never let them see a Sunday" or, more prosaically, "always keep the hoe moving constantly between the rows". Or, to put it another way, "one year's seeding, seven year's weeding". You can often tell a beginner's plot by the lush weed growth. Beginners buy a spade, a fork, a trowel, maybe a wheelbarrow - but a hoe??? Experienced allotmenteers will tell you that a hoe is at least as vital as a spade and a fork. |
| The chap above is using the hoe from the Wolf Multichange System - a good choice. But for real old-fashioned forged strength that will last you a lifetime, take a look at the Bulldog range of hoes - some brilliant designs and proper wooden handles - a joy to use and own. |  Bulldog's 'Paxton' hoe cuts at the sides as well as the front and back - one of my favourites and a fantastic price for the quality. |
Hoeing weeds at the seedling stage means they never get to sow their seeds. At first, you will see fresh weed growth after hoeing as you expose buried seed. But with continued hoeing, you will find the weeds get less, and less, and less. That is why you will see well-run allotments with very few weeds, even if the plotholder has been on holiday!
Hoeing is very staifying, MUCH easier than hand-weeding, and also trims the waistline!
Hoeing is very staifying, MUCH easier than hand-weeding, and also trims the waistline!
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