All about the hoes

The assortment of garden tools is impressive in its variety. Each summer resident chooses his own set of favorite tools that facilitate the process of working on the site. However, even the most powerful and modern devices may be unclaimed in a barn or garage. Whereas the classic tools for earthwork in the form of a hoe will be sure to be used by both the gardener and the summer resident. Not a single summer season can do without such a device.

Since ancient times, people have used various devices for cultivating the land. The change and improvement of the instrument was very slow. The equipment was very heavy, cumbersome and at times only complicated the process of cultivating the land. The question of inventing a more perfect tool for cultivating the land was brewing. So that he quickly helps to cope with work, be quite comfortable and not heavy. Then the hoe was invented, which was one of the first devices for cultivating the soil. It looked very interesting and was a long stick with a knife sharpened at the end, and instead of a stone, mammoth tusks, shells or horns of large animals could be used.

Nowadays, a garden or country hoe looks very standard. This is a handy tool because you can work with all 3 sides of it. While in the soil, the tool processes the top layer and also creates grooves. These furrows are then very necessary for sowing. High-quality metal must have a special sharpening. During operation, self-sharpening is carried out. Due to its low weight, it can cut dense thickets, but not touch the soil.

Every expert knows that a versatile triangular tool is ideal for land cultivation. This model has sharp corners, due to which it is very easy to make tick-shaped furrows. For the lawn, use a hoe with a thin blade. The comfort of using the tool depends on the angle of inclination. To remove grass, you must also perform all actions at a certain angle. Many gardeners like to use a hoe with a curved, concave blade. Before purchasing a tool, you need to choose for what purposes it will be used.

It seems that the hoe for cultivating the land is extremely simple. It is often also called the hoe. Due to the different sizes of plots, many summer cottage owners need to get work done quickly. For the garden, it is very convenient due to the long handle. Its length should be proportional to the height of its owner. It is very comfortable and versatile. Due to its design, it has a solid work surface.

The variety of hoes implies different applications, namely:

• a Dutch tool in a metal mount has a hole that makes the hoe much easier, but due to such a hole, the soil is sifted in the process of weeding or hilling;
• a hoe with a wide base is very necessary for the garden; if the ground is rather soft, then such a tool is perfect for the garden;

• for stony ground you need a tool with a narrow blade;
• to remove weeds, you should pay attention to the option with a narrow working surface;

• a hoe with a rounded surface has greater strength and is much more convenient during operation;

• if desired, you can make some upgrades to this hand tool; some engineers suggest making a special bend or a round knob;
• using a hoe, it is very easy to clear the path from the grass, which is possible due to the pointed edges on the sides;

• the small format of the hoe in the form of a plow tine is necessary when loosening the earth, hilling vegetables or collecting weeds with roots;
• to make a beautiful lawn, you should pay attention to the tool with an oval tip;

• a small hoe, which does not exceed 7 cm in width, is extremely necessary for work between the rows at their initial emergence.

A hand tool can have two working ends, but of different shapes and widths. It will help cultivate the soil in the vineyards. Simplicity and ease of such work is provided by a compact and comfortable handle. Some gardeners can make the tool themselves. To do this, you will need a classic bayonet or a shovel with a rectangular tray. It needs to be aligned and trimmed at a 45 degree angle, and then sharpened around the edges. Due to the heavy handle, the tool will be quite effective.

Hoes have a wide variety of characteristics, since the work in the garden is completely different. There are several types in specialized stores.

• A hoe for various types of work. She has a working part in the form of a drop, blade or trapezoid. The size of the cutting surface can vary from 70 to 200 mm. It is very easy to work with such equipment on soft and fertile lands. She perfectly handles the distance between the beds.

• The Dutch hoe has a hole in the middle. This design is very light and sifts the ground quickly. This tool can replace a cultivator. It simply removes all weeds and also creates seed furrows.

• A small hoe that combines two tools in one. Small in appearance, on the one hand, it performs the function of a hoe, and on the other - a rake. Due to the presence of three prongs, it easily rakes the ground and leaves.

• Lawn edge straightening tool has a crescent-shaped working surface and very easily penetrates even into deep soil layers. Due to this structure, the hoe creates a clear edge and an even edge.

• Rechargeable electric shovel is one of the varieties of land cultivation equipment. No need to think about a special cable and carrying. Just push a button and start working. This is a very convenient option for those spaces where there are no outlets or electricity. Of the disadvantages of such equipment, one can note their significant weight due to the presence of a weighty lithium ion battery, which must be carried along with the equipment. The electric hoe needs to be charged from the battery, and it can be discharged at any time.

• Electric hoe with cutter differs from the classic version in its work surface. Due to the operation of the motor, pressure is applied to the triple cutter and the soil is cultivated. Such equipment penetrates deeper into the soil thanks to an unusual nozzle. The disadvantages of this model are the longer time spent on processing the site.

A modern hoe can be self-sharpening, which greatly facilitates the process of working at a summer cottage. In shape, there is a straight, needle or wedge-shaped model. All homemade hoes are presented with a handle.

Tools with several types of purpose have only been gaining popularity lately. All gardeners and gardeners are attracted by the idea of ​​having a small but multifunctional number of summer cottage tools. It is worth considering in more detail the main varieties of country tools.

• Progressive cultivator. This device loosens the soil, weeds the beds using special, rotating gear wheels.

• Firefighter's ax or tool. This design has a long service life and, thanks to its compact size, can be taken anywhere with you. This is a great tool that will come in handy both at home and in the country. With its help, you can not only chop, but also loosen the soil.

• Combisystems are selected for the dimensions of the owner and the necessary attachments are additionally selected. Such equipment takes up little space and is much cheaper than buying a few newfangled tools.
• Fokin's flat cutter represents equipment for the cultivation and processing of soil. It is made in the form of a bent plate, all three edges of which are sharply sharpened. The inventor assures that such a tool can replace a pitchfork, hoe, rake and even a cultivator. The tool will rather shallow and loosen the topsoil.

• Tyapka Zholobov used to kill low weeds and grass. It is very easy and simple to work with such a tool. It is only necessary to do reciprocating movements, during which the soil is loosened and the weed is removed with a knife. It is a budget and easy-to-manufacture tool. Thanks to the comfortably designed handle, the load is distributed evenly on both hands. The gardener spends much less energy when doing the same work with a hoe. The tool is distinguished by its high working speed. During use, you do not need to bend too much, the back can remain in an upright position. However, such a hoe is very heavy and can weigh up to 10 kg, it can only be used on level areas, and it is extremely inconvenient to work between beds with plants. Due to these disadvantages, the equipment is much inferior to hoes and hoes.
• Hoe is a tool that is suitable for hilling potatoes or tomatoes. He makes combs and bumpers well. For the rest of the summer cottage, this tool is ineffective.

• The chopper is a hoe compact size for loosening soil or dumping weeds. This name of the hoe is often used in the southern regions of the former USSR.

• Manual weeder has a narrow and sharp working edge. It is suitable for controlling small weeds and weeding in very narrow places.

When choosing equipment for agricultural work, it is necessary to follow a number of rules and pay attention to key details. The features of the choice are as follows:

• the toolkit must be reliable and sharp-edged;
• the working part must be made of high quality steel;
• it is advisable to choose options in stores with an ergonomic handle, because in the process of work, constant pressure is exerted on the hands; it is worth choosing cuttings from hickory or ash, and the base should be very smooth so that there is no injury to the hands;
• the nozzle must be cast together with the fixing fasteners;
• the thickness of the cutting surface should not be less than 3 mm.

When buying a summer cottage tool, it is important to decide on the purpose of its subsequent operation. To work between small gaps in the beds, you should choose a tool with a narrow blade.To create a beautiful lawn, you should look at the options with an oval blade shape. If the hoe is bought for hilling or creating furrows, then it is worth looking at equipment with a semicircular or trapezoidal tip. These hoes work the soil perfectly to a depth of 60–80 mm. For work on clay or rocky soil, it is worth looking at the options with a narrow knife. For soft soils, options with a large working surface can be used.

It is important to choose and prepare the right tool. Often, summer cottage tools are made of carbon steel, since they can be sharpened at home. The main thing is to properly sharpen the tool before starting work. A sharp tool will greatly simplify the work process and protect your hands from the appearance of blisters and calluses. Experience and a clear sequence of movements are the basis for a fast and efficient tillage activity. The tool very quickly lends itself to rust, therefore, the following rules for caring for summer cottage tools must be observed:

• after all work is completed, the blade must be well cleaned of soil and grass;
• then the base is oiled and stored in a dry place;
• Before use, it is necessary to examine the instrument for integrity and sharpness; if necessary, it must be sharpened using special tools;
• stainless steel hoes are quite easy to care for, so they are most often purchased by gardeners and summer residents.

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