I'm trying to decide between an azadas (as recommended by George Monbiot here) and a Wolf Garten draw hoe head.

I already have a plethora of Wolf Garten handles (which'll make allotmenting with no shed or car a bit easier), but there's something about the azadas that I reallly like the look of - can't put my finger on *what* though.

Anyone used either, or both? Any seasoned-gardener advice for a beginner who's still at the "oooh, shiny!" stage?

have an azada at my allotment and its great for generall cultivation, digging, clearing weeds and removing top growth. My OH uses it a lot too and she has a mobility problem and finds it much easy than using a spade. Can take a little practise to use but once mastered it can be used anywhere a spade or hoe can be used with the one exception which is when using a spade to throw soil forward (if you follow my drift) Its also a little heavy than a hoe so tends to help when breaking soil etc. Having said that I still use a spade, fork and hoe around the allotment as well

Mmm, it's the weight of the thing that makes it really tempting... I think I may be decided. Thanks!

forgot to mention that they are available in various weights - mines about 2.5kg which I find is about right but sometimes wish I had gone for a slightly heavier one but am not too fussed the one I have is a well used tool.

Earlier this year I read online about how good Azadas were so I bought one. I used it to clear a plot of weed infested ground. The amount of Couch Grass and Bindweed I wanted to get rid of had become a nightmare and I'm very pleased with it. I prefer using the Azada to the mattock.

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"A garden is a friend you can visit any time."

I don't leave home without it. The azada that is, if I'm going to the plot of course....

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A simple dude trying to grow veg.

http://haywayne.blogspot.com/ - UPDATED - 8th May

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I have a wolf draw hoe, its flimsy. The push button conector bit wont last long if you use at as an Azada.

Its a hoe.

Get the tool you want for the job, treat yourself... your worth it.

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Update: That's my azada ordered - should have it by the weekend

Thanks for all the advice

btw, you know i'm not paying for it....

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I play hide and seek with my cat
http://www.wigglywigglers.co.uk

where is the best and cheapest place to buy an azeda or whatever. I have carpul tunnel etc so would it be ok for me? I could really do with something to make it easier to be independent.

I bought an azada and a right angled digging fork from Get Digging, brilliant tools. I use the fork more than the azada because you don't cut the couch grass up, you sort of comb it out, great for heavily infested areas. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them, especially if you have back problems, they are very robust and the azadas come in several different sizes. I would say the middle size is probably the most useful, not too heavy of small. Let's face it, the rest of the world uses this type of tool, so they must have something going for them!