Issue: January 1, 2005

What is a stirrup hoe?

I received a "stirrup" hoe for Christmas. What is this thing, and how do I use it?

A stirrup hoe is so named because the working end looks much like a stirrup on a saddle but works differently than a traditional hoe. It is also called a hula hoe because it works with a back and forth wiggling action. It works by sliding just below the surface of the soil, cutting the roots of the weeds. It can then be used as a rake to gather the weeds into piles for disposal or composting.

The traditional hoe works by chopping weeds either above ground or below ground. If the weeds are cut above ground, they may often re-grow because their roots and some stem are left intact. If the chopping occurs below ground, the weeds can be raked up roots and all, but the soil disturbance that occurs may increase evaporative water loss. A greater problem is that seeds are exposed to sunlight. Many weeds have seed that can remain buried in the soil for many years without germinating. They are waiting for sunlight, which will stimulate growth if temperature and moisture are proper. By using the traditional hoe during the growing season, these seeds are brought to the surface where we are irrigating crops (or flowers), and they begin growing in response to the favorable conditions.

A stirrup hoe minimizes soil disturbance, and as a result may cause less drying of the soil. More importantly, it reduces the development of new weeds when used properly. (Weeds will grow, but the problem should be lessened.) The back and forth motion is more efficient because it works in both directions and causes less impact on your joints because it does not employ a chopping action.

There is still a use for the traditional hoe, but the stirrup hoe is a good addition to a gardener's collection of implements. You are fortunate to now have another valuable tool to use in your garden.

Please join us on Southwest Yard & Garden, a weekly program made for gardeners in the Southwest. It airs on KRWG in Las Cruces Saturdays at 4:30 p.m., on KENW in Portales on Saturdays at 10 a.m., and on KNME in Albuquerque on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m.

Send your gardening questions to:
Yard and Garden, ATTN: Dr. Curtis Smith
NMSU Cooperative Extension Service
9301 Indian School Road, NE, Suite 112
Albuquerque, NM 87112

Curtis W. Smith, Ph.D., is an Extension Horticulture Specialist with New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service. New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educator.