How to make an INEXPENSIVE HOE for EFFICIENT WEEDING, 'Recycle Strap Hoe'. Weeds beware!

GOT WEEDS? A Novel DIY HOE with INTERCHANGEABLE, PLASTIC FRIENDLY, ADJUSTABLE, SHARP & FLEXIBLE blades. AMAZING for HAND WEEDING VEGETABLES, STRAWBERRIES, and COVER CROPS. Great for weeding along PLASTIC MULCH without damaging it! It's INEXPENSIVE, light-weight & super EASY TO MAKE from recycled materials and extremely EFFICIENT, and ERGONOMIC. A "MUST HAVE" for every FARM and GARDEN.
-The BLADE is made of steel strapping, the light weight HANDLE is made from Arundo donex grass (or bamboo, or wood dowel) and it's all held together with BICYCLE INNER TUBE (or hose or ring clamps).
-This Detailed Tutorial discusses alternative blades & handles, Unique features & helpful reminders including a cool Hip Hop Song (Recycle Robot by Mr. Eco).
⌚ TABLE OF CONTENTS (clickable)
0:15 Introduction
2:14 How to Make it
9:26 Watch it work
12:20 Alternative Blades
13:26 Unique Benefits
15:30 Final Thoughts
-Developed by Dr. Eric Brennan who is a scientist at the United States Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service), ORGANIC research program in Salinas, California.
-The 'Recycle Hoe' (a.k.a. 'Strap hoe' if you make it from non recycled materials) is a critical tool in their sustainable weed management research program. The Recycle Hoe is far better than other hoes (i.e. hula hoe or stirrup hoe, wire weeder or wire hoe, standard hoe, collinear hoe) that have been used in the commercial-scale high-value vegetable and strawberry production systems at this cutting edge, organic research farm. PERFECT for taking out small to medium sized weeds before they seed, and works on many soil types, and in dry and moist soil conditions. Have FUN making it!
-"Recycle Robot" Hip Hop music available at www.MrEco.org

[@howardmorgan4196]

your description of how the Hoe is constructed is nothing short of brilliant

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks Howard, I appreciate your comment.

[@anndrake492]

Brilliant! American practical genius at work ->

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks.

[@mozempire5096]

I used a 1/2" red plastic tomato stake from Lowes that was 76", and got the inner tube and strapping tape from a request I posted on Craigslist. I just finished making it, and IT WORKS! I have a small and delicate flower bed, which is hard to get to without damaging flowers. This tool is GREAT! I bent it with a narrower shape, and it made the weeds fear me! THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!!!!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Glad you like it. You are very welcome.

[@Localtruthspeaker]

We used steel strapping as hoes 30 years ago in Ontario Canada on onion farms. We just made the loop smaller so you could get in between the onions. I have one in my tool shed.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Great to hear this. Thanks for sharing.

[@stjoes1231]

Wife had me researching stirrup hoes this morning and we stumbled across this youtube video. You've now got me dumpster diving for scrap steel banding straps in preparation for making at least one of these. No rubber tubing however I have rolls and rolls of electrical tape and a couple of spare hickory wood handles which should serve me well. Thanks for the video and best case I'll have a free stirrup hoe and worse case just a few wasted hours putting this together.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Sounds great Steve. You're very welcome. Eric

[@lovefarm8267]

I am a farmer in Korea. Thanking about many tools everyday. So so great idea for me. Thank you so much. God bless you.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome.

[@viantinobertran2575]

Thank you so much from western cape south africa best tool ive ever seen on youtube

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're very welcome. I'm glad you found it helpful. Thanks for sharing. Take care, Eric

[@iggidec3300]

... not enough emphasis on genius. GENIUS!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

thanks,

[@indrajitsinhmaharaul4241]

Low cost development. Excellent. Beneficial to lacking small farmers.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks.

[@TheRunereaper]

This is a great idea and must be one of the best I've seen this year. It's very generous of you to share, you could have made a pile of money from this deceptively simple but very clever invention. You're probably too busy with the strawbs and veg :-)) Thanks again for your selflessness.

[@harishjs7797]

ya ya I agree with you.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

thanks

[@diwakarsharma1348]

💡 I agree 1001 %✔️ can't thank you enough for sharing your idea. Best wishes 👍

[@divaspasalon2133]

Omg! Genius! Necessity is certainly the mother of the Inventions! Thanks you so much.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome!

[@hariprasadthatha9166]

Very very thanks .selute for you thoughts.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome.

[@kimberlysharp-ko1301]

I make these using PVC pipes for handles. They last forever! LOVE these!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

thanks.

[@phuongkern8027]

Your demonstration can’t be more clear and informative. Thank you 🙏

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome. I appreciate your comment.

[@clementinechristenson]

UK earth is more compacted and clay like...it scrapes off the weeds tho.. but doesnt get the root, still did it quicker.. I dont mind doing it again.... it was so much easier! Thanks for the share..

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome.

[@ngc226]

Thank you Dr. Brennan. We need many more people like you.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome. Thanks for the kind words Kishor.

[@valvol4388]

Wonderful! Absolutely brilliant invention! Thanks a lot for great example of creative mind!!! All the best wishes!!!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome. Thanks for the nice comment.

[@Bengijo242]

I just made one....it's a great concept, and it works great on those new blooms of weed.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Great, glad to hear it.

[@olaideowolabi3069]

Thanks for sharing this. Making one asap.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome.

[@desmondehoppie4758]

Clever Clever Clever. Great Tutorial. Thank You for taking the time to make this video.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome Desmonde. Thanks for the nice comment.

[@harishjs7797]

thaaaaaank you soooooooo much. I am from india. I definitely gonna do this one for my kitchen garden. I am searching for this.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome

[@courtneyheron1561]

Wow! Thank you for being so generous with your sharing. Brilliant use of waste stream materials! Thanks again!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're very welcome Courtney. I'm glad you liked it. I'm a big fan of recycling.

[@yewilliam]

Thank you so much Dr. Brennan, I'll be sharing the video with poor farmers from Myanmar, with burmese subtitles.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

This is great. I'm very glad to see it shared broadly and helping farmer in many parts of the world.

[@claudeeke2707]

wow! A big thanks all the way from Nigeria

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You are very welcome Conroy. It's great to see people in many parts of the world benefiting from this tool.

[@fundamentalfarmer3787]

Wow. I’m from South Africa gonna be moving to an organic essential oils farm. Will have a large lab our force so I’m building lots of these thanks for sharing

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome

[@elisav9694]

Great idea!! I told my husband I was going to buy a regular one at Lowe's and cut the handle to make it really short and you just gave me a great idea in how to make one. Thank you!!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks. You're welcome. I'm glad this helped.

[@nofianto461]

simple but brave. i like it. thank.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome!

[@peterpotter5711]

Very clever thinking, but so simple to make.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks Peter. Take care, Eric

[@racheltomlinson2257]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful idea. I love that it's made from recyclable materials, lightweight and so simple and very easy to use.blooming marvelous, thank you for your kindness in sharing and I can imagine every allotment holder using one.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You are very welcome.

[@terryfrancis1026]

I'm trying this idea wantok. Great to know you grew up in Papua New Guinea 🇵🇬

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Sounds good wantok. Hope it works well for you.

[@fionbarraomuiri1458]

I throw this stuff out all the time . Not anymore haha . Cool idea .

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks. Glad you like it.

[@julianbell321]

What a brilliant idea expertly presented - free can be better!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Hi Julian, Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. Take care, Eric

[@jcjc6715]

Very good idia...some time a DIY simple tool is the best ...Thank you from Thai farm man...

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome. Thanks for the nice comment. ขอบคุณสําหรับความคิดเห็นของคุณ ผมดีใจที่คุณชอบมัน ผมทํางานในประเทศไทยหลายปีทีแล้ว

[@adriankap2978]

Thank you for sharing your ideas. I was looking for a hula hoe and think this will work even better and you can't beat FREE! Thanks again

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome. Happy to help.

[@rasulong803awgs8]

Great idea...stirrup hoe cost me so much...tqvm

[@joejohn2797]

Thumps up........Wonderful Idea.....Your presentation unique. Thank you much for sharing the information with us. You are a true lover of farmers. I am from Kerala, India. I will show this video in the farmers club meetings.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks. I appreciate your thoughtful comment. It is great to see this tool helping farmings in many countries. Take care, Eric

[@johnye.k2220]

@@EricBrennanOrganic Three years ago I have shown your idea to mane Indian farmers especially in Kerala. Most of them collected scrap and made the hoe as you have narrated. Thanks a lot. Most of them found this very useful and easy. Thanks a lot.

[@chandrashekhardadsena134]

Its very good 👍🔥, i like this idea 🤩🔥👍.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thank you. I'm glad you like it. :)

[@kotsrinivas]

Today I made this and it is working perfect with iron clips..

[@queilyyenner6399]

What are those iron clips? Can you give me details please. I need help

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

I was wondering the same thing

[@ravichoudhary7091]

Excellent concept am thinking of cancelling my order which I have placed with Amazon , great .

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks.

[@paulwellard4206]

Brilliant and using recycled materials, my kind of hoe.tried many and they have fallen by the wayside. Thank you (organic veg grower in france0

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks Paul.

[@Smutlamp]

Thanks from Barbados. Sharing it a round.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome.

[@taitimoproductions4801]

I was going to spend thousand of dollars on one till i seen this video. You da man. Thank you

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks. I'm glad this saved you some money.

[@JosePerez-vz1qq]

Mil gracias Dr. Brennan. 👍🏿

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You are welcome.

[@kroth1422]

After watching, I just had to make one of these hoes... It works beautifully for pre-emergent and small weeds in our fruit tree nursery stock. You can take out a weed right next to a small tree without damaging the bark on the tree. Very easy to make too! The next day I made a second one. Thanks for sharing the design!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome. Glad it helped.

[@bluegorillacookies]

I didn't use the inner tube, but I did the same thing last year! Ha! It worked really well.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Sound good Nathan

[@68cristian]

You sir, are a GENIUS!!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks, I'm glad you like it.

[@leeb.7188]

Fantastic invention! I bought a Hula Hoe and have never been able to get it to work effectively. I'm going to make one of these and put the HH on eBay. Thanks!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

thanks. You're welcome.

[@renerenatorivera9062]

I used to make these when i was a teenager in Puerto Rico(70's). i'm 62 years old now.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@johnallen6419]

I made two today shorter then yours to cut down my cover crop of mustard its ready to turn in now ,worked really good on my patch ,,much better than what's on offer for big £££ in uk

[@KDurankk]

John Allen 👍🙏😂😂㊗

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Sounds good.

[@jeannedurocher5577]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! Just happen to have a huge stand of bamboo perfect for this hoe. And I love that you can stand straight while using it! ( perfect for old knees and backs) Sure do appreciate your generosity! :)

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Hi Jeanne, You're very welcome. Thanks for the nice comment. Glad you like it.

[@darrelferreira9153]

You nailed it Eric. Many thanks for the excellent video demonstration.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks

[@lazygardens]

Awesome Tool! This is what I've been trying to invent and you went and done it for me. Thank you.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks.

[@peterkoolwijk439]

such a very happy weeder! look forward to try out this great idea. thank you for the sharing.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thank you Peter. I hope you find it helpful. You're welcome.

[@garvinjohnson437]

its given me some more insight to making something a little heavier for big weeds thanks god bless.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome. I hope it helps. Take care, Eric

[@rudrarishi2523]

Excellent Idea, so well done, Greetings and highly appreciate, regards from India, will do it

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You are very welcome.

[@anjkovo2138]

Clever man. Just what i've been looking for. Going to make one. Thanks

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks.

[@johnathonnichols]

Now you've got me looking for steel banding. If you're looking for another use for your innertubes see if there is a bow maker around. Innertubes work great for gluing up a laminate bow.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Sounds good.

[@ideasatworkphoto777]

I like the way you think!!!! Awesome Sustainable Project...

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks. Keep up the good sustainability thinking :)

[@sharonchaffins5765]

Awesome,my dad was an inventor ,he would love this.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

thanks.

[@niceday8888]

You are so smart! Thank you for Upcycle and share this tool!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks. You're welcome.

[@maherhasna4979]

I 've really enjoyed the video and found it very helpful. Thank you indeed.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment.

[@sandralewis1689]

Still brilliant and thanks so much for your excellent teaching!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thank you. You're welcome.

[@bruceg1845]

you are a genius who has solved the mystery of life

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks Bruce for the nice comment. take care, Eric

[@horrido666]

That's genius level. Great job!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks,

[@jackierodriguez3576]

Thank you so much,now I can make one too, for my yard, around my garden beds n around the trees thank you good ideas.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome.

[@thepandaman]

Thank you! Just went out and cobbled one together using a blunt 3' bowsaw blade to test the concept. It's not safe around plastic like yours - but discovered I can flip it on its side and use it to saw off taproots at the surface :) Will definitely be asking the local timber merchant if they've got any strapping lying spare...

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Sounds great George. Thanks for sharing this.

[@customcutter100]

I just started using Farmall tractors to plant and cultivate a large garden. I cultivated for the first time yesterday, after the seeds had only germinated the week before. I placed the front sweeps about 12" apart, they were about 6" wide. On the rear bars I put 2 large 18" sweeps to break up the compaction of the tires. I noticed that the front sweeps were breaking up the soil and leaving about 6" of undisturbed soil, but I was almost covering up the small corn, bean, and pea seeds that were a week old. I think I could make some small "hoes" like you have shown and attach to the front tool bars and get much closer to the plants without worrying about burying the plants due to a large tool passing near by. Thanks for the idea.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks. I like your idea and would love to hear how it works. If the field doesn't have much crop residue, it may work well. If there's lots of residue in the cultivation are it might build up on the straps and then cause them to bend out of shape. Just a thought.

[@Daisy.florina]

this is brilliant !!!!!!! thank you, so simple you are so practical farmer

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks. You're welcome.

[@18deadmonkeys]

I don't have bamboo or any grasses like that, but I bet I could find a long section of PVC pipe to recycle in my shed.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Sounds good.

[@johnieallen6115]

Wow ,that is really good Ill make one tomorrow sick of the crap, stainless steel rubbish and plastic that is flooding our part of the world .well done.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Sounds good Johnie.

[@luvtomassage]

Thank you for sharing and the good thoughts about sustainability I think more people should join the revolution thanks

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome. I agree.

[@Shortcake39553]

Thank you for this DIY tutorial. I hope the metal straps are still being used since this video is a few years old. Can't wait to make one myself

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome. The straps are still being used and should be available at hardware store garbage/dumpsters.

[@Shortcake39553]

@@EricBrennanOrganic okay thanks

[@AndrewFosterSheff69]

Like you need to list the benefits! God Bless You Dr Brennan, you could have made your fortune with this "invention", but you chose to share with the world for free! Again, God Bless You!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks for your kind comment Andrew. I'm happy to share it.

[@kishenbhageeratty6371]

awesome. thank you so much for having shared this innovative idea . am going to use it definitely in my farm. thank you so much. thumbs up.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Great. I'm glad it will help on your farm.

[@MrJudahdan]

I had to use that banding strap to hold my gas tank on my 73 dodge motorhome it worked good as a quick fix .😀👍

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Sounds great.

[@farmerchris5683]

Awesome! Building a mulch layer for the up and coming season and was wondering about walkway weed control. This is the answer. Planting cover and maintain weeds with the RECYCLE-HOE! We will crank these out for our crew, share with farmers, and annihilate weed. Thanks for cracking some eggs of knowledge all over our farm community. Do you recycle your mulch?

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

The mulch is hard to recycle in our area because of attached soil, but drip tape if often recycled.

[@wolfiber]

best one I have seen....

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks. I agree :).

[@arolahn]

This is pretty cool. Not sure I can easily source the bits, but would def keep an eye out. Brilliant share!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

[@Luna-kb4zx]

Hi! My mother want you to know that she's plannning to build this amazing tool next week!! So, your tool designe will be happily used in an organic vegetable operation in Italy! Many Many thanks!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome.

[@boytigas2351]

Thank you

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome.

[@sandralewis1689]

Still wonderful! So glad I found it.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks

[@teddyboy252]

Good invention

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks

[@lamedvav]

So nice to have a brain! Thanks! Great idea!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome.

[@micheleM84]

Thanks from Italy!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome.

[@MrAshhoka]

great agriculture creativity man this is need of India

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks

[@safiyasiddiqui5217]

Super idea.brillient

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

thanks.

[@lhcheng9155]

Amazing and simple invention!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks.

[@chandrakumarv9142]

Simply Amazing !!!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks a lot!

[@senorchipotle]

reminds me a lot of my dad. retired extension guy. y'all would talk for many, many hours. lol

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You make me smile. thanks. sounds like your dad's a good guy.

[@MikeBee77]

Excellent idea!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks.

[@iggidec3300]

You just made my day and I thank you ! Genius

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're welcome.

[@rupikajayasinghe8594]

very good,, thanks a lot for sharing

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks. You are very welcome.

[@drsumithranbbds]

Super the way you turned recycled material in to great tool, very nice n thanks for sharing this information 🙏

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. Take care.

[@drsumithranbbds]

@@EricBrennanOrganic planning to do one lik you made,busy with work,so will try to make this Sunday and will reply you how the tool is beneficial in my home garden

[@drsumithranbbds]

Hi Sir, Good morning, I msg you will reply you back once I make this diy tool, and Am extremely happy I made the tool n tried in my garden,it's working 👌 thankyou 🙏very much got an idea only after watching your vedio,you also cut my cost for purchasing this weed tool which I was planning to buy,am sure many would have benefited from this vedio, your simply great 👍 n I enjoyed 🙏 thankyou 😀 keep doing such recycling diy vedios

[@eloycastrorojas8368]

it is an excellent idea. i liked your video. I also liked how you present the product. I congratulate you. Greetings from Costa Rica.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Greetings. It't always good to hear that people in other countries like this. Thanks for the nice comment.

[@eloycastrorojas8368]

@@EricBrennanOrganic con gusto

[@1234tsewang]

VERY INFORMATIVE AND USEFUL

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks.

[@garvinjohnson437]

watching from the Bahamas 🇧🇸🌴🇧🇸

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks

[@CoconutWaterfalls]

Great video. Perfect to watch at 1.5x speed. Saves yourself some time, just like that tool will!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks for the comment. Good tip on the speed too. :)

[@paulk5311]

i run across those banding straps from time to time. next time i will hang onto them. i always thought they were a bit of a nuisance to dispose of and would just fold them into a smaller package for easier discarding. who would have thought they could be made into something quite useful?

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Sounds good.

[@tubeplugged]

Thanks for a great weeding tool

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

You're very welcome.

[@williamwaters4506]

Just brilliant!!

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks William. Glad you liked it.

[@fuifahlee8155]

A very good video.

[@EricBrennanOrganic]

Thanks, I'm glad you liked it.