In the garden this week: Hoes and grass cuttings

Hoe lowdown Weeds are having their moment, springing up as fast as you can nab them. You don't have to get down on your knees with a trowel, though: a well-sharpened hoe will do for annual weeds just as well and is vastly more efficient; plus, you can stand up. Hoe on a hot day, so weed tops wither when sliced from their roots. Regular hoeing also helps to keep the surface of the soil fine and crumbly, which helps it to absorb and hang on to moisture. Grass act It's hard to know what to do with the vast amount of lawn clippings produced at this time of year. Putting them in the compost in small amounts is OK, but it's hard to find enough dry, twiggy matter to counteract their tendency towards going slimy. Instead, cut out the middle man and spread directly on to your garden borders; and if you don't like the look of this, spread them under hedges. They'll slowly rot down and improve the soil.