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A garden hoe is an agricultural tool used for cultivating, weeding, and loosening soil. It typically consists of a long handle with a flat, wide blade attached at a right angle. The blade of the hoe varies in shape and size, but it is generally flat, and pointed or squared off. 

Users can push or pull the hoe through the soil to break up clumps, remove weeds, and create furrows for planting.

Garden Hoe Uses

Here are some of the uses of a hoe in gardening:

• Breaking Soil: Hoes are effective for breaking up compacted soil and preparing it for planting. The flat blade is good for chopping and loosening the soil.
• Weeding: Gardeners can also use the tool’s blade to cut through the roots of weeds just below the surface of the soil.
• Cultivating: You may use a garden hoe to cultivate the soil around plants, promoting aeration and nutrient absorption. 
• Harvesting: Hoes are also useful for harvesting certain crops, especially root crops.
• Creating Furrows: Hoes are useful for creating furrows or rows in the soil for planting seeds or seedlings. This helps in organizing and spacing plants properly.
• Edging: Hoes are suitable for creating clean edges along pathways and garden beds, giving a neat and organized appearance to the garden.
• Mulching: Gardeners can use the flat side of a garden hoe to spread and level mulch around plants. Basically, mulching helps retain soil moisture, suppress weed, and regulate soil temperature.

Types of Hoes

There are different types of hoes for various tasks. Here are a few common types:

• Draw Hoe: This garden hoe has a flat blade that is drawn through the soil towards the user. It is useful for weeding and breaking up soil.
• Dutch Hoe (Push Hoe): The Dutch hoe has a flat, sharp blade that the user can push forward just below the surface of the soil to cut weeds. It is effective for weeding in larger areas.
• Warren Hoe: This variant has a triangular-shaped blade and is suitable for cultivating soil and breaking up larger clumps.
• Onion Hoe: Also known as a circle hoe, this variant comes with a circular blade. It is suitable for precision weeding around plants.
• Scuffle Hoe (Stirrup Hoe): This garden hoe has a loop-shaped blade that you can push and pull just below the soil surface.