A hoe will remove weeds, and allow the vegetables to grow without competition.

It is easier to hoe the weeds when they are very small, before the roots have grown to anchor them in the soil.

The first leaves to emerge from a seed are called cotyledons. Try to hoe weeds at this stage. Hoe as soon as you see weeds emerging, then it does not become a chore.

Make life easy & leave the hoe at the end of the veg plot, so you can pick it up as you go to inspect the vegetables.

Hoe when the soil is dry. Then the weeds will die quickly.

Make the rows wider than the hoe, so hoeing can be quick with no fear of chopping up the vegetables.

Hoe shallow

• to make it easy
• to avoid disturbing the roots of the vegetables
• shallow hoeing is possible if hit weeds early

The ideal hoe is sharp & shiny, so the soil does not stick to it. A good quality stainless steel hoe will keep shiny & sharp. Most people do not have time to maintain tools - so get a good one, that will look after itself.