The 7 Best Weeding Tools to Keep Your Garden and Lawn Pristine
Matthew Perez 6/7
Best Claw-Style Weeding Tool
Grampa’s Weeder
Billed as the original stand-up weed puller, this classic weeder is one your grandparents might have used. Pluck pesky weeds out of the ground without bending over and hurting your back and knees. This time-tested weeding tool is ideal for extracting crabgrass, thistles and other rooting invaders from your lawn. Just center the tool over the weed, press the forked end into the ground and tilt the handle, closing the claw. It grabs tightly onto the root and with a lift, out it comes! Want to know more? Our in-depth review will have you tapping add-to-cart immediately.
Pros
- Has a 45-inch-long bamboo handle
- Features a four-claw steel design
- On the market since 1913
Cons
- Must remove weeds manually from claw
Psst! See how the CobraHead and Grampa’s Weeder compare.
7/7
Best Weeding Tool for Kids
G&F JustForKids Garden Tool Set
Little ones are more likely to get down in the weeds and dirt with mom and dad when they have their very own child-sized equipment. This kid-friendly garden tool set includes a trio of tiny garden tools—a hand rake, shovel and trowel—along with a cheery striped canvas tote with handles to carry them around. Apart from their scaled-down size and rounded corners, the tools look and work just like grown-up ones.
Pros
- Promotes kids’ understanding and love of nature
- Made of real metal and solid wood
- In bright, happy colors of red, blue and green
Cons
- Adult supervision is recommended for ages 5 and up
What to Consider When Buying a Weeding Tool
Choose a weeding tool based on the type of weeds and soil in your garden. A hand weeder, hoe, cultivator or power tool might be great for one job, but not the best for others. Consider the size and weight, as you’ll want the tool to be comfortable and well-suited to your physical abilities. Ergonomic handles will provide a comfortable grip and reduce strain on your hands.
Opt for a weeding tool that’s constructed from durable materials, such as carbon or stainless steel, that can withstand heavy use. A solidly built tool should be able to last you several seasons, not just one. A weeding tool needs to be properly cleaned and maintained for longevity, so check if it requires special storage or care to keep it in tip-top shape.
Types of Weeding Tools
Different types of weeding tools are designed for particular types of weeds and their locations.
- Handheld extractors: Also called “kneeling” tools, they have short handles to get into tight spots. These require you to work close to the soil.
- Long-handled weeders: These implements are driven into the ground standing up. They often have foot pedals in order to apply more force.
How We Found the Best Weeding Tool
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
What are the tools used for weeding?
Hand tools commonly used include cultivators, trowels, spades, garden knives or sickles, as well as Cape Cod, fork-tipped and paving weeders. Popular standup weeding tools include hoes, claw-style weeders, spades, digging forks and rakes.
How do you pull weeds fast?
First, be sure to grab weeds at the base of the root and not by the leaves on the surface. To pull weeds fast, lift up on the plants, twisting a little as you remove them. This helps prevent weeds from breaking off the plant and leaving the roots in the soil, only to sprout again.
How do professionals pull weeds?
Pros recommend dealing with weeds when they’re young and roots are weaker. Also, turning the soil periodically will keep weeds from establishing themselves. Spreading mulch over an area is another way to cut down on weed growth.
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