Choosing the right garden tools for weeding

The most common long-handle weeders are variations on the hoe. With all the motion a hoe allows--chopping, drawing, and pushing--any garden-variety hoe can be a decent weed fighter. However, there are specialized hoes that excel at weeding. Here are some examples.

Warren hoe

This is a draw hoe, meaning the head is designed to be pulled back toward your body. The Warren hoe's pointed, arrowlike blade gets to the deep roots of weeds such as dandelions. It's good for breaking through hard ground and working in tight spots.

Dutch hoe

Also called a scuffle hoe, the Dutch hoe features a flat, splayed blade attached to the handle with a horseshoe or V-shape shank. The blade skims along the top of the soil as you push the blade away from your body, slicing weeds as it goes. Because the pushing action requires more effort than pulling, this tool is a good choice for fine, sandy soil that offers little resistance.

Oscillating hoe

The hinged, stirrup-shape blade of the oscillating hoe moves back and forth as you push or pull it along the soil surface. The double-edge blade cuts in both directions for greater weeding power; its flexible nature makes it easier to push and pull. It works well on young weeds in loose soil, where it can separate foliage from roots, but it tends to get hung up in tough, rocky soil.