Minecraft wiki entry for Hoe, associated text: Hoes are used to turn dirt, grass blocks and dirt paths into farmland. To till, press use on a grass or dirt block while holding a hoe. This does not work on mycelium or podzol,[1] nor does it work if there are other blocks on top of the targeted blocks, including snow layers or torches. However, mycelium and podzol can be first converted to dirt path with a shovel, then tilled into farmland with a hoe.