Preparing the Garden: Tools to Use
Spring is over, and the garden is in full bloom; now is the time to think about buying a few tools. Right now is a great time because they will be on sale or special. Planning is a large part of saving money when gardening and because you are nearing the end of the spring growing season, you can start planning on what you need to make gardening next spring so much easier.

Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006

One tool that is often used in the garden is the hoe. A hoe turns dirt, makes rows, and cultivates even in the smallest areas to keep weeds down to a minimum.

The hoe that you have been using is most likely any where from four to six inches wide, angled to one side with a long wooden handle. If you haven’t purchased a new hoe in a number of years, you are going to be surprised to see the many changes made in this product that benefit your back, arms, and how you do your work. Fiberglass handles, rubber grips, and even changes in the angel of the hoe make your tasks so much easier on your body.

Hoes today are lighter in weight and is going to be easier to use, with less stress on your body, requiring less of your muscles. You can actually end up working longer in the garden without all the pain! A hoe is used to dig ditches, or small holes, to get deep roots out and to cultivate nutrients into the soil when you are ready for planting in the garden.

Hoes are useful in working your soil, cutting back plants in the fall, and working fertilizer into the soil no matter what portion of the growing season you are in. A hoe can help you loosen up tough rocky or tough dry soil as you prepare to plant your vegetables or flowers.

A hoe for edging is one that has a pointed edge like a triangle. This is a very narrow type hoe that is going to give you an advantage when working along the edge of a garden or cultivating the soil next to a plant.

No matter what your gardening needs, the fall season is a great time to find the best prices on the tools that you want for your gardens as retailers don’t want to put items back into storage! In the fall months you can sharpen your hoes for a good clean tool that will be ready for use in the spring!