What Does a Wheel Hoe Hiller Do?

Author: Greg Baka

On a wheel hoe, a Hiller is a small plow-shaped attachment that moves garden soil upwards and to the side. They often come in right and left designs. With a single wheel hoe you will use one plow to "hill" one side of the row then turn around and go back to the other side of the row. With a double wheel hoe and a spreader bar or a High Arch Wheel hoe you will use both the right and left plow. You will straddle the row and move the soil on both sides simultaneously.

Also see our new index of Attachments for All Brands of Wheel Hoes for a view of all available plow attachments.

Rows of corn before and after hilling Image Source

What is a Hiller and what does it do?

  • Hilling is the process of pulling up soil and mounding it around the base of a plant, and between plants within a row.
  • This technique blocks out sunlight to kill young weeds.
  • Hilling also helps support corn in high winds by providing more soil over the roots and around the base of the plant.
  • Additionally, the extra soil acts as “soil mulch” to help retain moisture for the crops between rains or watering sessions.

The benefits of using a Hiller

  • Hilling with a wheel hoe is faster than loosening and pulling soil using a regular garden hoe and rake.
  • The wheel hoe hiller can be used to hill rows quickly and efficiently.
  • It is easier on your back, as you don't have to bend and pull with a garden hoe.

How to use a Hiller

  1. Start at the beginning of the row.
  2. Position the hilling plow blade so the dished area will move soil towards the crops.
  3. Place the plow into the soil and push it forward, making sure that you don't go too deep in the first pass.
  4. Push your wheel hoe along the row until you reach the end.
  5. Turn around and repeat the same process on the other side of the row until you have finished hilling the entire row.
  6. If you want to add more soil, plow some dirt from the middle of the path towards your crop then repeat step 3.

Hilling should be done regularly, once or twice a month during the growing season. Make sure to keep an eye on your plants and pull any large weeds that appear. This will help ensure your plants are healthy and not competing with weeds for resources.

Tips for getting the most out of your Hiller

  • Be sure to keep the plow blades clean and free from debris so that they can work more effectively.
  • Do not try moving too much soil at once. It is often better to make a few passes, each moving a small amount of soil over the row.
  • Experiment with different techniques, such as shallow hilling or deeper hilling; this will help you find what works best for your garden.
  • An alternative hilling tool is this Manual Pull Plow from Duc Tools.

Hilling Plows in Action!

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FAQs about Hillers

Q: Are there other terms that are used instead of a hiller?
A: Yes, some people refer to it as a hilling plow, or a ridger.

Q: Is hilling necessary?
A: No, but hilling can be beneficial for many plants, particularly corn. It helps keep moisture in the soil, blocks out sunlight for young weeds, and helps support tall plants in high winds.

Q: How often should I hill my garden?
A: No,Hilling should be done once or twice a month during the growing season.

Q: What type of soil is best for hilling with a wheel hoe?
A: Wheel Hoes are versatile and can work in various soil. But the soil must be loose and crumbly, not muddy or hard as a brick.

Q: Should I use a double wheel hoe or a single for hilling?
A: It depends on the size of your garden. For larger gardens, a double-wheel hoe will allow you to straddle weed. This lets you cover more ground in less time by hilling both sides of the row at once. However, for smaller gardens, a single-wheel hoe will work fine and be easier to buy and use.

Q: Do I need a High Arch Wheel Hoe for hilling?
A:No, a Single or Double Wheel Hoe can be used for hilling. However, a High Arch Wheel Hoe may be needed for straddling crops that are over 5" tall, depending upon their flexibility.

 

Hope this answers your questions about what is a hiller and what it does. You can click here for more information on the hilling attachment. Or click here for information on wheel hoes.