How to Choose the Best Weed Pulling Tool

When it comes to choosing your first weed puller or a replacement for one that has seen better days, it’s important not to buy the first one you see just because it’s convenient. There are a number of factors that need to be considered first.

Here are a few of the most valuable to consider and guide you.

Some weed pullers are made using mostly stainless steel material with the addition of various plastic components, which are usually located within the claw area of the tool.

These kinds of weeders can be efficient and work well, it’s just important that you realize that since they have plastic parts, they may not be able to withstand quite as much force.

Handle Length

When you’re browsing the aisles, handle length is one of the essential features that you should always consider.

It determines the ease of use and comfort of the tool but it also affects the reach of it, meaning that the longer the handle is, the less likely you are to have to bend down to get close enough to remove any given weed.

A good rule of thumb is that a handle should be 35 to 40 inches, with stand-up weed pullers being slightly longer. If the stand-up puller that you’re interested in has a handle that is less than 40 inches long, you’ll probably have to hunch over a little bit to use it.

Some stand-up weeders come with a telescopic handle that can be adjusted and, in our opinion, those are the cream of the crop when it comes to handles.

In the case of hand weeders, almost all of them -regardless of handle length- will require you to bend or kneel down. This is what makes this factor so important to think about — especially if you have movement restrictions.

Stand Up vs Manual

It goes without saying that something to keep in mind is whether you want a stand-up model or a manual, handheld model. Both types have their own pros and cons, but it’s generally thought that the right stand-up weeder is the best option for most people.

Stand-up weeders are ideal if you have mobility problems or are uncomfortable having to kneel or bend to remove weeds, while handheld models are a great option for tight spaces and for anyone on a budget.

Type of Soil

The type of soil you’re intending to use your weeder on will play into what weeder you get. Sometimes, soil quality and type will be the most important factor.

If your soil is especially hard, forked and clawed weeders will serve you well. If your soil is sticky or clay-like, it can easily get caught in the tines and cause problems, which makes a design with a single-tipped sharp edges better suited for the job.

It’s also a good idea to keep in mind that the harder your soil is, the more force you’ll have to put on your weeder to effectively remove the offending weed, which will help dictate which kind of weeder you purchase.

Stand-Up Weeders: Pros and Cons

Pros

Of course, one of the most glaringly obvious benefits of having a stand-up weeder is that there is no need to bend, crouch, or sit down to remove the weeds in question.

Most of these weeders work using the idea that the user wields a long pole with the weeding claws on the end — one that can be operated from an upright position.

Diving into that benefit a bit more, you’ll also find that because user’s can stand to complete their weeding, there are less back and joint injuries related to yard work. When you think of it this way, the stand-up weed removal tool is king for anyone with mobility issues or chronic pain.

They also benefit users when it comes to completing strenuous tasks since the users can use the weight of their body to push the tool into the ground when extra force is required. Surprisingly, this is an occurrence that pops up quite often.

After all, how often have you found yourself wishing you were just a bit stronger when dealing with compacted dirt?

Thanks to the added force at your disposal when using a stand-up weeder, this is no longer a concern.

Cons

Unfortunately, these weeders do have their own set of drawbacks, though. One being that the long handle on these tools makes it hard to be precise when removing small or delicate weeds.

Thanks to this, more topsoil is removed than would be if you were using a handheld tool, which can disrupt plants in the area.

Handheld Weeders: Pros and Cons

Pros

Handheld weeders are some of the most basic weeding tools. For this reason, they are also some of the least expensive, which is our first pro.

Since they are basic in their design and very small, they cost less to make and ship and, of course, are then sold for a lot cheaper. They are ideal for people who don’t do a ton of gardening and who don’t mind getting a little dirty.

Those who have small, cramped spaces to weed can also find benefit as these small tools are great for getting into tight cracks and crevices.

Cons

Sadly, the modest price tag reflects the functionality of these garden tools. There are some variations among handheld weeding tool models, but in general, most handheld weeders are relatively difficult to use simply because they lack any kind of hooks or blades at the end.

Tips for Using Weeder Tools

Using weeder tools is more complicated than simply inserting them into the ground. There are things that can make the process easier to rid you of that stubborn weed or, as we like to call them, tips for using weeder tools.

Tip #1: Get to The Root

While removing the part of the weed that you can see will make your lawn or garden look better, it won’t solve the problem. Removing the top portion leaves the rest of the weed, its roots, planted firmly in the ground.

This gives the weed an opportunity to grow back, which you can be certain that it will.

So, when using your weeder, be sure to remove the entire weed — root and all. If you have to use your weeder in the same spot more than once to get to the root of the weed, don’t be afraid to do so! Do what you have to do to get the job done and inhibit weed growth.

Tip #2: Use the Appropriate Type of Weeder

When tackling challenging weeding tasks, make sure that you’re using the right type of weeder for your specific job. We say this because we’ve seen countless gardeners try to use a stand-up weeder in small spaces and a handheld weeder for large areas only to find themselves with a sore back.

Be sure that you’re using the weeder that will most efficiently get the task done while simultaneously causing the least amount of discomfort to your person.

Tip #3: Keep Up With Cleaning

We don’t expect you to disinfect or sterilize your weeding tools. However, we would recommend that you be mindful of debris build up — especially when you’re using tools that have claws. Claws are prone to collecting a build-up of dirt and debris, which not only clogs your tool and renders it less effective but can also compromise the result of your weeding efforts by leaving pieces of weeds behind.

Tip #4: Maximize Personal Comfort

If you’ve ever used a tool with a wooden handle for too long, you know how uncomfortable it can be to have your hands break out in blisters. Caused by friction, these blisters are the result of your hands rubbing against the uneven surface of the wood for long periods of time.

Unfortunately, you’re more prone to blisters and irritation if you don’t use tools often or if you’re using them incorrectly.

‘Luckily, you can and should maximize your personal comfort when use garden tools such as handheld weeders. To do this, wear gardening gloves to protect your hands.

You might also consider wearing knee pads, a bucket hat to provide your head with shade, and comfortable, somewhat loosing clothing that allows your skin to breath. When you’re comfortable, you’re more likely to do a good job and be thorough, whereas when you’re uncomfortable, it’s not uncommon for gardeners to start to slack and slap-dash their gardening tasks.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, any of the weed removal tools mentioned above are solid choices. However, our Green Thumb pick today is the Fiskars 4-Claw Weeder. With its premium quality claws, adjustable handle, and total weed-removal capabilities, this tool stands out as one of the best. It knocks out its competitors in terms of comfort and handle length, and ticks all the boxes when it comes to being made of quality material and being versatile since it can be used in a range of different soil conditions and to remove an impressive array of weed types.