When it comes to garden maintenance, weeding feels like a laborious task (alongside cleaning the barbecue or pressure washing the patio).
To make this arduous chore easier, we’ve chosen a selection of weeding tools that take the pain out of weed removal, helping you to keep your lawn and borders tidy throughout the summer.
What should you look for in a weeding tool?
When shopping for a weeding tool think about the types of weeds that appear most in your garden. Weeding tools differ in shape and size depending on their function, so think about their intended use before buying. Daisies and finer weeds might need a smaller blade that can lift them at the root without taking chunks of grass out of the lawn. Whilst more stubborn weeds will need a larger, sturdier blade to do the job.
The huge benefit of tools with a longer handle is the reduced need to bend or crouch, easing the back pain and knee aches associated with weeding. Some of the long handled tools on our list make it easy to remove even the most stubborn weeds with a simple twist and pull motion. It’s surprisingly satisfying once you get started.
One of the added bonuses of using a weeding tool is moving away from chemical weed killers, which can affect other plants and wildlife in your garden. Likewise, if you have children or pets, you might prefer to use a weeding tool rather than more potent forms of weed removal.
We’ve chosen a selection of weeding tools here that will keep your garden tidy and help lawns and plants to flourish, without being overrun by unwelcome visitors.
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Niwaki Weeding Hoe
This miraculous little weeding tool worked wonders when we tested it on a messy planted border that needed tidying up. Made from carbon steel, this tool is a thing of visual beauty, with its sleek wooden handle and sharp blade. Choose from the right handed or left handed version to cut weeds, trim thin branches and keep your garden looking tidy with ease.
Like any object worth protecting, this tool requires ongoing care and the blade in particular should be manipulated carefully. Japanese steel is hard and sharp, but will chip if used forcefully. Simply move the blade slowly through patches of growing weeds, or use it to cut out stubborn weeds, always using the base of the blade, not the tip, for heavier cuts.
This tool is an ideal alternative to chemical weed killers, plus there’s something highly satisfying about using a perfectly formed tool like this to effortlessly remove weeds.
Buy now £18.99, Crocus
Fiskars Xact Weed Puller
This is a fancy looking weeding tool with the huge benefit of a long handle to protect your back and knees. No more bending over or crouching to wrestle stubborn weeds, this tool captures dandelions, thistles, nettles and other rooting plants in its stride.
Complete with a handy foot pedal and a sturdy grip, this serrated stainless-steel tool grabs weeds and roots, then the eject mechanism on the handle opens to easily remove any debris. When using this tool, you might notice small holes in the lawn after weed removal, but it is simple to re-seed those patches or wait for them to close over naturally.
This tool is easy to clean and is ideal for anyone who has trouble kneeling or bending. It would make a fun gift for the green-fingered friend in your life.
Buy now £4069.00, Amazon
DeWit corkscrew weeder long T grip handle
We’ve got more than just the aesthetics in mind when it comes to keeping gardens weed free. Weeds can introduce pests and diseases into your garden and can take nutrients away from other plants. That’s why it’s important to choose a weeding tool that removes the whole weed from root to tip.
This option has an ingenious corkscrew end which tackles dandelions and other stubborn roots that are hard to remove. The tip of the corkscrew can be placed above the centre of the weed to capture the entire root. With a simple twist, the weed is extracted in one simple movement. The long wooden T-bar handle makes this a comfortable tool to use, protecting your back and knees from aches and pains.
Using a method that removes the whole weed, it means further roots shouldn’t sprout so readily, giving you fewer weeds to remove in the long run.
Buy now £29.99, Crocus
Burgon and Ball Long Handled Block Paving Knife
If you find yourself constantly removing weeds from the crevices between paving stones, or picking out stray strands of grass after mowing the lawn, then this tool will be your new best friend. It has been designed specifically to keep patios and driveways looking neat and tidy.
The knife has a long wooden handle that means weeding can be done without bending. The slim hook is the ideal size for removing weeds from in-between stone slabs, ensuring the full weed comes up in one or two swipes, without the need for weed killer. The stainless steel blade is rust resistant and can be hung up on a leather cord when not in use.
Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society, this is a foolproof addition to your garden maintenance kit that offers both quality and practicality. Plus there is a lifetime guarantee for added reassurance.
Buy now £31.99, Burgon and Ball
Niwaki Hori-Hori
Something of a cult favourite in the gardening world, the hori-hori is a Japanese trowel and all-round magic weeder. A hard-working jack of all trades, this tool can turn its hand to a wide variety of garden tasks, including helping with bulb planting, and general garden maintenance, alongside being a superhero weeder.
Gardening knives are known for removing every part of the weed, including tough roots. With this tool, the carbon steel blade runs right into the handle, and the knife is encased in a tough canvas sheath for safety and storage. Easy to use and suitable for all garden spaces regardless of size, this tool will consistently keep weeds at bay, making garden maintenance more manageable through the year. Remember that although strong, this knife might struggle in heavy soil and is much more effective when used in softer ground or to tidy up crevices in hard landscaping.
Buy now £32.00, Sarah Raven
Spear and Jackson 4057NB Elements Daisy Grubber
One for gardeners looking for a finer blade, this tool is specifically developed for removing daisies and more delicate weeds. The epoxy-coated blade has a two-pronged fork design that should slice through smaller weeds, while preventing damage to the surrounding lawn.
The blade is rust and scratch resistant, offering long life and consistently keeping weeds at bay, while also supporting grass growth. The ash wood handle has a solid grip and a durable leather strap for easy storage. It is particularly useful for capturing weeds in small, tight spaces in-between concrete or bricks.
For peace of mind, this blade is smaller than others and is effective without any chemical weed treatment, meaning the whole family can continue to enjoy the garden immediately after weeds have been removed.
Buy now £8.69, Amazon
Karcher Battery Weed Remover WRE 18-55
Tackling weeds before they take hold of your garden will save time in the long run, even if it feels like a frustrating chore. If you like fancy garden gadgets to do the job, then this high-tech cordless weed remover is the most expensive but hi-tech option on our list.
It comes with all the qualities you’d expect from a Karcher garden tool, including a handy adjustable head and handle. The weed remover looks more like a grass trimmer and captures every weed without the need to crouch or bend over. Its nylon brush is particularly useful for removing these stubborn plants and dry moss from lawns or hard landscaping.
This weeding tool is suitable for use on paths, stone slabs, curbs, stairs and walls. Plus, if you already own other Karcher appliances, this machine is compatible with Karcher 18V batteries. The LCD screen allows you to keep tabs on the battery life as you weed your way around the garden.
Buy now £95.00, Karcher
Verdict
For complete versatility and ease of use, Niwaki’s hori-hori is a solid choice from a brand who prides itself on both function and aesthetics. This is a reliable tool that can be used for garden maintenance throughout the year and is effective for most soil types to make light work of removing weeds from lawns.
