How to Use a garden Hula Hoe (Stirrup or Action Hoe).

This is one of those garden tools that can turn a non weeder into a happy weeder. Here are a few tips:

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. This tool glides under the soil, severing the roots of weeds. When you have one of those garden beds that has grass blades relentlessly creeping back into your perennials, use the Hula Hoe to cut away the grass.
   
   The tool is used in a back-and-forth motion, just under the soils surface. (like you're scrubbing out a stubborn spot with a mop)

2. This is a great tool for keeping that clean sharp edge on the lawn. Run the Hula right along the cut edged side of the grass and cut away any escaping roots.
   
   You can also remove the chucks of lawn left behind after you’ve edged. The strip between the edging cut and flower bed has to be narrower than the Hula Hoe.

3. Slices under all of those shallow rooted weeds that start to cover bare soil. Rake the debris away and you’ve just weeded out an entire bed, without having to be on your hands and knees.

4. Use the blade to cut in and cultivate shallow soil.

Tips & Warnings

• The Hula Hoe is a better working tool if you keep the blade sharp. Use a file or a sharpening stone to give each side a sharp edge and smooth out any nicks or dents.
• The weeds will return, but the Hula Hoe makes the weeding so easy.
• Doesn't work so well on those deeply rooted "tap root" kind of weeds like dandelions and California poppies.

Resources

• If you like the Hula Hoe, you'll love the Weed Hound.

[LilacGirl]

on 8/25/2008 What a great idea.

[WriterGig]

on 8/25/2008 That looks like a great garden tool, are they hard to find?

[Cherst1031]

on 8/25/2008 Thanks for explaining how to use this handy tool.

[Cherst1031]

on 8/25/2008 Thanks for explaining how to use this handy tool.

[acole]

on 8/25/2008 Neat! Thanks!