Weeding is one of the most dreaded garden tasks.
It is backbreaking, time-consuming, and often simply discouraging to spend hours in the garden pulling up stubborn weeds only to have them spring back up the next day. However, though it may not be as fun as planting or harvesting, weeding is an essential step in keeping any garden happy and healthy.
The options for weeding tools can become overwhelming though and it can be difficult to know what you need to make weeding as easy as possible.
We’ve done the research for you and gathered some of the best tools on the web to help you get your weeding done quickly and efficiently.
Why You Need To Weed
Aside from the obvious fact that weeds make your garden look unkempt and distract from the natural beauty of your plants, they can also cause serious damage.
Weeds inhibit plant growth by sucking vital nutrients and moisture from the soil and hampering the health of the plants you actually want.
Plus, once they are left to roam wild, the invasive weeds will soon entangle your garden and be incredibly hard to eradicate without damaging your plants.
Staying on top of weeds throughout the spring and summer seasons is absolutely essential…even if it is a little frustrating.
Best Weed-Prevention Methods
As with many things in the garden, and with your health, prevention is always the best medicine.
Think about it, taking a few extra steps and putting in a little effort and time early in the year can save you hours hunched over unwanted grass and weeds in the future.
Plant Densely
Weeds love to spring up anywhere they can but will usually choose the easiest route.
Areas of bare soil are prime real estate for the invasive varieties so you’ll want to avoid leaving any empty spot in your garden. Plant closely and fill in bare spots that you notice as plants mature.
Mulching
Mulch is your best friend when it comes to weed prevention. Cover the soil with a thick layer of organic mulch, such as shredded bark, pine straw, or compost. These types of mulches will also have the added benefits of enriching your soil and providing nutrients for your plants.
Though they are generally more expensive, you can also use inorganic materials such as gravel, rubber mulch, or a weed-suppressing layer like fabric or plastic.
Catch Them Early
Pay close attention to your garden and as soon as you notice weeds sprouting, get out there and remove them. Catching weeds before they go to seed can help reduce the spread and prevent a full-blown invasion.
Of course, no matter how diligent you are in your weed prevention techniques, keep in mind that weeds are equally as determined.
It is inevitable that at least a few will find their way into your garden and when that happens, it’s essential that you are prepared with the proper tools.
What About Hand Pulling?
Though hand pulling is effective for smaller, young weeds, it can often create more problems by simply getting the top of the weed and allowing the roots to stay in the garden and prepare for a second wave.
Plus, remaining on your knees to weed a large garden can create serious back and neck problems and make it difficult for you to do the things in your yard that you actually enjoy.
These tools can turn your dreaded weeding day from a stressful, painful hassle into something you may even look forward to.
Besides, who doesn’t love trying out new garden tools?
Best Overall
It is difficult to name an official winner in the weeding tools ranking, as it usually comes down to personal preference, weeding style, and the type of weeds you are dealing with. However, with over 3,000 5-star reviews on Amazon, this tool takes the top spot.
This durable, sharp tool totally eliminates the need to crouch down in your garden and saves your back from excess strain. The lightweight, aluminum shaft is comfortable and ergonomic and provides excellent maneuverability which makes it the number one pick of all garden tools.
It is affordable and intuitive and it may even cause you to look forward to weeding.
Best Long-Handled Tools
Long-handled tools help you avoid the type of backbreaking gardening that comes with hand-pulling weeds and makes you more likely to spend time perusing your garden for any intruders since you don’t have to change into full work clothes to pluck up a few weeds.
Sometimes new isn’t always best. This tool has been used for over 90 years for a reason. It boasts thousands of satisfied customers and a lifetime guarantee that will replace the tool if it breaks from normal use.
Its simple grasping concept is so easy to use and it is a wonderful tool for lawn weed removal.
This fabulous tool falls somewhere between a rake and a hoe and makes weeding easier than ever. It is excellent for clearing large patches of weeds rather than precision work since the sharp blade slices through clumps of grasses and invasive plants.
The blades are self-sharpening and replaceable which means that you’ll get years of use out of this powerful tool.
This stirrup hoe serves the same purpose but has a fiberglass handle and a comfort grip if you don’t enjoy using wood tools.
Best Short Handled Tools
Though short handled tools require you to get a little more up close and personal with your garden, they also allow you to be precise in your weed removal and ensure that every irritating foe is eradicated from your well-tended beds.
CobraHead Weeder and Cultivator
The CobraHead Weeder and Cultivator is a one of a kind tool. It is specifically designed to puncture deep into the soil and lets you use the curved shape as leverage to cut the tap-root which will prevent the weed from returning.
This doesn’t require hacking at the soil and will allow you to save your strength if you have a large area to cover by pinpointing the weed and removing it.
It is also an incredibly versatile tool and can be used to loosen the soil or dig holes for bulbs.
This hand tool is excellent for removing tough weeds such as dandelions and grasses without harming the other vegetation in your garden.
The curved head and comfortable handle make eradicating weeds from your garden as simple as a flick of the wrist. The tines are incredibly sturdy and the tool can be easily maneuvered into tight spots such as against the edge of a raised bed.
Best Knife
Garden knives are excellent multi-purpose tools for the garden and are an absolute essential for any gardeners arsenal.
This tool has a 7-inch blade with a smooth edge for slicing that is useful for opening bags of mulch or cutting twine. The other edge is serrated and can be used to saw through stubborn roots or sod.
It is extremely useful for digging and prying difficult weeds out of the ground but can also be used in planting as the blade has measurement marks that allow you to plant seeds at the appropriate depth.
This stainless steel blade will keep a sharp edge and won’t rust as fast as a carbon steel blade.
Best Garden Torch
Yes, you heard that correctly. A garden torch. Forget spending hours pulling out individual weeds or hacking away at clumps of crabgrass only to have them return a few days later, this torch will truly change the way you weed forever.
This can be attached to a portable propane tank and uses a flame to cook weeds. While it doesn’t kill them immediately, check out the weeds a few days later and all you will see is their dried up remains.
The Weed Dragon essentially destroys the weeds ability to take up nutrients and water and the flame can be targeted at specific vegetation without harming your plants.
Best Patio & Walkway Weeder
Gardena Hand Patio Weeder System
While weeds in your garden can be annoying, they can also blend in with your plants, which means that they don’t necessarily detract from the beauty of your garden until they’ve had time to spread.
You can’t enjoy that same luxury with patios, sidewalks, and other pathways, unfortunately. When weeds grow in these areas, they are an immediate eyesore and pulling them can be brutal.
Instead of scraping your knucks trying to remove every minuscule piece of grass from your patio, invest in this handy tool with a long thin blade that is specifically designed to eliminate weeds from every crack and crevice in your yard.
Best Dandelion Weeder
Flexrake Classic Dandelion Weeder
Some gardeners love dandelions, others hate them. While dandelions have a number of brilliant uses, we know they’re not for everyone. This tool is incredibly sturdy and is specifically designed to target the deep roots of dandelions and eliminate them for good.
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