They're used in gardens outside houses (4)
I believe the answer is:
hoes
'gardens outside houses' is the definition.
'hoes' can be an answer for 'gardens' (I've seen this in another clue). I'm unsure of the 'outside houses' bit.
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for hoes that I've seen before include "Gardening tools" , "Garden tools" .)