March 6, 2025 · Written by Dr. Gina Bernal

My Favorite Gardening Tool: The Hula-Hoe

When working with gardeners, I am often asked which tools I recommend to help ward off pain. There are many tools out there to help depending on your needs, including kneeling stools, root-cutting shovels, and grabbers. One of my favorites though is called the Hula-Hoe, also known as a stirrup hoe. 

Rather than a solid blade as on a regular hoe, this one has a trapezoid-shaped hollow frame at the end of the long handle. This both makes it lighter and easier to manage as it can be used bi-directionally without having to change your position. The decreased weight means less stress on the body as well as less force needing to be exerted to perform gardening tasks. 

When I first learned about this tool, I was a little surprised that it could work at all. The frame is not very wide, so how could it possibly move much gravel or dirt? But, I tried it out and was pleasantly surprised at how quickly I spread my mulch. I was also happy with how sturdy it was made since I was using it to break apart the massive bricks of fine, wet, and matted mulch I was using. Needless to say, I wasn’t very easy on this tool. 

This tool can also be used to weed. The thin frame creates a dull blade that can be used to cut down weeds. It also hooks well up under clumps of leafy weeds and pulls them out at the roots. Again, you can do this bi-directionally, so you get to take down those pesky weeds with each pass. I recently tackled an old flower bed that had become overgrown after years of no attention. There were dandelions, tall grass, shoe-string blackberries, and a variety of other weeds. I thought I might need to use a string-trimmer to take down things to a more manageable height, but I instead chose to try the Hula-hoe on the task. That first clump that I ripped out was very satisfying. It wasn’t long before I had it all down and out. 

I have had a number of patients say they have enjoyed using this tool, including those with chronic neck and shoulder pain, as well as those with permanent nerve damage. I highly recommend using this if you are struggling with pain from gardening. 

Be well,

Gina