Why Every Gardener Needs a Wheel Hoe
Gardening is a timeless practice, and back in the 1800s, nearly every gardener owned a wheel hoe. This versatile tool bridges the gap between hand weeding and using a tractor, making it an essential addition to any gardener's toolkit. Whether you’re loosening soil, creating furrows, or tackling weeds, a wheel hoe offers efficiency and precision.
The Versatility of Wheel Hoes
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Soil Cultivation:
Tined cultivators, one of the wheel hoe attachments, loosen soil to a depth of 4-5 inches, making it perfect for incorporating organic soil amendments. -
Furrowing:
With furrowers, you can dig trenches for planting crops like garlic and potatoes effortlessly. -
Weeding:
Oscillating hoe attachments with sharp blades slice through tiny weeds, keeping your garden beds neat and weed-free.
Types of Wheel Hoes
Valley Oak Wheel Hoe:
Made in Northern California, this model is available with steel or pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires should be softly inflated for better tracking. With adjustable handles that can be set to hip height, you can also offset the handles to avoid stepping into the bed while hoeing. Attachments include tine cultivators, hiller/furrowers, and hoe blades ranging from 8 to 14 inches.
Glazer Wheel Hoe:
Manufactured in Switzerland, this model comes in standard and professional versions. The standard model is ideal for home gardeners, allowing dual attachments like a stirrup hoe and tine cultivator for simultaneous weeding and soil aeration. The professional version caters to market gardeners with additional mounts for wide knives and other tools.
Maintenance Tips
- Sharpen blades at least once per season or more frequently in tough soil conditions.
- Clean tools after each use and lubricate with vegetable cooking oil.
- Ensure attachments are mounted tightly for optimal performance.
Why Choose a Wheel Hoe?
Wheel hoes save time, reduce strain on your body, and minimize the use of herbicides and fossil fuels, making them an eco-friendly choice. They’re perfect for gardens too large to hand weed but too small for a tractor. Whether you're a home gardener or running a small farm, a wheel hoe is a game-changer.
Invest in a wheel hoe today and grow organic for life!
In this video, Tricia introduces wheel hoes, an environmentally-friendly alternative to herbicides, and fossil fuel driven tractors. Check out our broad selection of Glaser wheel hoes and attachments for sale.
