Organic Farmer Network: Network Discussion Summary

Topic: Wheelhoes

Tim considers his “bicycle plow”, or “high wheel push plow” his most important tool. He says he can “use all my different plow blades for specific chores. A really great tool for my garden beds-- can get in really close for weeding, cultivating, and making furrows all without the use of tractors. It has taken me years to find neat little implements for it. I would consider it one of the most important tools that I have. It is fun to use, and still learning tricks on how to use it more. The best part is that it uses no fuel.”

Cathy has an old “high wheel cultivator”, but she often calls it the "poor woman's wheel hoe". She says, “I ordered a stirrup hoe for it and it has served us very well. I found a smaller version at an antique store a couple of years ago and it came with a bunch of implements ($25). I find that we use the stirrup hoe and the single point ‘chisel’ the most. I think some time I just don't know how to use some of the other implements to their best advantage.”

Charlie says getting a wheel hoe is “at the top of my list for my next tool” and wants advice on what kind to purchase.

Wiedigers respond – “We have a Real brand wheel hoe, purchased from Johnny's 10 years ago. It would be comparable to the Glasser model they sell now. What I really like about it is that the handle height is adjustable and they can be offset. I have an 8" and 12" center scuffle hoe attachment, as well as both 8" right and left offset scuffle hoe attachments. When the soil is loose, it's easy to work with both the center and one offset hoe attachment. We also have a set of 3 duckfoot cultivators. They work ok for breaking up a crust, but aren't good for much else. When I first bought it, I also got the double wheel kit, so that you can straddle a row, but since we mostly set out transplants anymore, we don't ever use it.

I really like it for cultivating up close to plants, especially lettuce. A shallow cultivation with a tiller throws soil up into the lettuce leaves, while the wheel hoe doesn't.

It doesn't work well on cloddy soil, and of course, it doesn't work well on BIG weeds. We use it a lot in our hoop houses. Many times, it is the only tool we will use between crops, working the soil over lightly and then raking before planting. If you're careful, you can cultivate right up against a line of drip tape with it.

I like the rubber tire but worry that I'll lose the adapter needed to air it up. The valve stem doesn't mate with American air valves, so it comes with an adaptor. It also came with it's own tool pouch and tools that hangs from the cross piece on the handlebars.

While I like it, Alison maintains that it's great in a back yard garden but has no place in a commercial setting. She says it takes too much energy for what it accomplishes.”