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Paddy · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 17

I have just been using some Hoes.....not the ones that you do a bit of scrapping in between the plants with, but actually digging with them.

I was digging virgin grassland with these special but been around for a long time Hoes and i was amazed how much easier gardening work is with them compared to a traditional fork or spade.

There was even a shaped one for making potato ridges or seed drills, and the speed and ease to do this work with them is amazing.

Apparently most of the world uses these Hoes and there is only us in a few western countries who use a spade and fork for the same jobs.

Has anybody else used these tools??

Paddy · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 17

I am amazed how nobody seems to have seen or used these, they are called Chillington Hoes.

I found some at the Organic Centre in Leitrim the weekend and this website here http://www.chillingtonhoes.com/

Very good tools to use i found.

quarryman · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 417 Location: Sligo

Good one Paddy. Great tools. I used to use a broad bladed pick axe for clearing heavy grass and weeds before turning over the ground, these would be ideal. They are used throughout Africa and South America, so if it's good enough for people who only use hand tools........

I see Knockvickar Organic Farm, near Boyle, stocks them. I think I might drop over and have a look.

Paddy · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 17

Hi Quarryman

Yes i have been to that Knockvicar place in Boyle aswell....Laszlo i think the fella's name was ...nice fella very helpfull and knows his stuff.

quarryman · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 417 Location: Sligo

Got one. The ridging hoe. Great allround tool.

quarryman · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 417 Location: Sligo

Have been using the ridging hoe a lot this afternoon, it's bloody great !!!!
Makes cultivating soil a pleasure.
Can't recommend it highly enough.

Paddy · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 17

Told you didnt i .......been playing with mine this after(sounds good) Laughing

but just come in cause midges are back Evil or Very Mad

I was talking to someone up at the Organic center and they said they had found antique chillington hoes in the ground i think up there. I didnt know they had been around that long, i had never seen them untill a few weeks back but loads of people on gardening forums on about them and after them, they all want a Chillington Hoe.

Did you go to the knockvicar organic place Quarryman??

quarryman · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 417 Location: Sligo

Yep, the OH, the dogs and I were in Lough Key and decided to drop in to Knockvicar. Nice setup. Very helpful and loads of free information and advice. Might go back to get the Grass Slasher...!!! Seems like another great tool.

Paddy · Joined: 19 Apr 2007 Posts: 17

Grass slasher hey i have to admit i didnt know what you were talkin about so i went back to that site and they have one there---organic weed control. They arent joking either that thing looks like it means business great idea though. Is all of this stuff at the Knockvicar organic garden place?

quarryman · Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 417 Location: Sligo

Yes they have one of each and I'm sure they could order additional ones. The only thing I didn't see was the sickle.