It’s October, so before our thoughts turn to rakes and raking leaves, we should have one last celebration for the garden hoes. Yes, it’s time for…
A Hoe-tober Fest!
What do we do for a Hoe-tober Fest? We celebrate this ageless gardening tool! We show the garden hoes a little love and respect for the hard work they do during the growing season.
If you are at a loss as to how to do that, here are some suggestions:
Use a hoe to help dig up a new vegetable garden or flower bed. Fall is a great time to dig up a new bed and get it all ready for early spring planting. A hoe can be used to help remove sod or break up clods of dirt.
Put away your hoes for the winter, especially if you’ve been in the habit of leaving them outside in the summer time. Hoes, really all garden tools, should be stored in a dry location that stays above freezing temperatures.
Clean the hoes up before you put them away. Knock off any dirt and mud, either with a wire brush or a damp cloth. If you use a damp cloth, be sure the hoe is dry before storing it for the winter. You can also check for any nicks or burrs on the hoe head and file those down.
Wipe down the handles. Some people like to use linseed oil on the wooden handles to keep them from drying out, but I generally don’t. If the wood seems to be drying out, I just use regular lemon oil on them, but you can do whatever suits you.
Vow that you will not use your hoes to chop ice in the wintertime. Most hoes were not made to chop through ice, so don’t use them for that purpose, no matter how desperate you are in the middle of winter.
Buy a new hoe. If you don’t own a hoe or would like a new hoe, you may be able to get a new hoe in the fall at a “marked down, close out” price. Maybe.
And finally,
Take a picture of your hoe in the fall garden, just for fun, because garden hoes are fun tools to own and use, and celebrate with a Hoe-tober fest.
I'll have to find a suitable pose for my poor, disused hoe. At least I don't chop ice with it.
Can my hula-hoe play too? She was wondering about the clinking of beer steins….
How about my hand trimmers and hand trowel? I'm not much of a hot person. But hoe does rhyme better with October. Very creative.
You crack me up. There's some information lurking within that comedy my dear.~~Dee
Carol, I will celebrate in spirit with you. My hoes are already put away for the winter. One extra tip, though. Hubby likes to wipe down the metal part of any of the gardening tools with a little oil. Helps to keep them from drawing moisture and possibly rusting.
Have a wonderful Hoe-tober Fest!
Hoe-tober! That is absolutely perfect! gail
My hoes got together and decided they want to come and live with you, because they'll get so much more exercise (and respect). They don't know what this 'ice' is that you speak of, however…you mean like when the icemaker in the freezer needs a little stirring, right?
This is so interesting!
I've a whole lot to learn from fellow bloggers.
We use our tools year round here! Thankfully we don't have ice to chop..
Happy Hoetober to you too. I am sure your pampered hoes appreciate all the attention.
I finally added an adjustable hoe to the collection this year. I need a much longer hoe for the other garden spots but the adjustable one works well enough in the raised beds. Have a Happy Hoetober!
Will you be serving beer and brats at your Hoe-toberfest?:)
Good advice, Carol; I really do need to treat my gardening assistants with better care than I do. And, yes, I have a couple of new hoes in mind I'd like to get–I'll have to check out possible end-of-the season sales.
I like the scuffle hoe, and another item which I think can be classified as a hoe. Photos will come. Maybe you can help with an ID.
Oh Hoe, Oh Hoe, How I love you so, oh Hoe.
This year was the first year I was actually able to use a hoe in the new house. In the last 48 months, I have transformed my soil from solid red clay to something resembling, ummm, ummm, red clay with some organics in it? It was finally broken up enough that I could actually use a hoe without it becomign on gloppy sticky mess.
My hoe is camera shy so you'll just have to take my word for it that it's much happier being useful than sittin in the corner.Hoes are like that.
I was reading an old post about your night blooming cerieus (queen of the night). I was shocked that such a large plant in a sunroom does not flower regularly. I use a bit of time release fertilizer on mine and it blooms 2-3 times a year. Mine is about 1/4 the size of yours.
Instead of using my own hoes, Carol, I wait until my Divas of the Dirt friend Mindy comes over with her Diamond Hoe and let her do the work.
Where gardens grow all year round the tools don't get any R & R for Hoe-tober!
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
Congrats on your new gig in print media. I feel so happy for you. And to think, I knew you back when you were just a seed of a writer and here you are in full bloom.