Yes! It’s another post about another hoe!
When my mom and sister’s neighbors, who have lived next door for 46 years, decided to have a moving sale to get rid of their household items that wouldn’t fit in their new retirement home, I asked if I could buy his hoe.
I had used it earlier in the spring and decided then and there that I wanted to add this hoe to my collection of hoes.
After negotiating back and forth a bit, and ensuring there were no other legitimate claims to the hoe, we worked out the transaction and the hoe was marked “sold”… to me.
My original intent was to retire this hoe and include it in my collection to show what a well-used American hoe looks like after nearly 50 years of use.
However, I can’t bring myself to retire this hoe. It’s perfect in size, weight, and balance.
I don’t think I’ll use it for heavy ground breaking… I’ve got a grub hoe for that. Nor will I use it to weed the entire garden when there are a lot of weeds. I’ve got several good, sharp hoes that can cut the weeds down quite well, including my new stirrup hoe.
I’ll just use this hoe for puttering about in the garden, otherwise known as walking around seeing how everything is growing. The handle is just short enough that it is almost like a good walking stick. As I walk about in the garden, if I see an occasional weed (and I will), this hoe will take care of it quite nicely.
Here it is beside their old rake, its gardening companion for many decades.
I bought the rake, too.
I’m really glad that you decided not to separate the hoe and the rake after so many years. I’ve heard that garden tools can become very depressed when relocated to a new environment. It’s good for them to have a friend.
When are your taking your hoe collection on the road anyhow?
Carol – I agree that garden tools should not be separated. They are a lot like elephants and become extremely attached to their long time companions. They are quite a pair. Another fine addition to your growing collection.
Love it! Glad they went to an appreciator. I brought back severl tools from my Dad’s garage. One is an extra long, skinny shovel. I call it the rockfinder. Took a photo with it and the rocks I dug, but haven’t posted it yet. I love having his old tools. They seem to have a mind of their own in the garden.
Enjoy!
Okay, I had to go back and search for the reason why you started this hoe collection in the first place. Very funny. It’s it odd how these collections get started?
–Robin (Bumblebee)
You should put all the tools you bought from the neighbor together so they know they aren’t orphans. Have fun
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I think that the tools should be separated, actually… maybe 50 years together is long enough for them, if you know what I mean.
In fact, I believe that the lovely, beautiful, sturdy-looking rake REALLY wants to come and live on the shore of Lake Erie in its (working) retirement years. I suppose I’ll have to take it in–want me to come and pick it up, or would you rather have the UPS man escort it East?!!! 🙂
I’m glad you decided not to retire the hoe. He would be bored and depressed with nothing to do, and would probably start getting on the rake’s nerves.
Chigiy… I agree, they need to be kept as a pair. Take my hoe collection on the road? Hadn’t though about that!
Alyssa… Thank you, and I am very happy to also keep this hoe working!
Petunia’s Gardener… I agree, old hoes know the ropes in the garden.
Robin(Bumblebee)… It is odd sometimes how collections get started. I’ll have to go back and see what I wrote about how this one got started!
Eleanor… I will keep them together!
Blackswamp_Girl… Nice try, very clever, but you’ve been over ruled, these two are staying together!
David in Greensboro, NC… Hadn’t thought about it that way!
Thanks all for the fun comments.
Carol at May Dreams Gardens
I truly have never seen someone with as many hoes as you. Do you actually use them all or are you just a collector?
-Mimi