Tools Make Hand Weeding Easy

By: Chris Smith, Master Gardener Trainee

Are you trying to manage your garden weeds without chemicals? While I’m not endorsing any company, I’ve found a few hand-weeding tools that might help. And, possibly with tools for the task, you’ll see hand weeding as an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and not merely a chore.

Credit: Chris Smith
Radius, 2-pronged, fork-tipped tools, and Hori-Hori Knife

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). These include long sleeves, long pants, closed-toed shoes, gloves, eye protection, and ear protection.
Avoid wearing loosely draped clothing or things that can be caught by tools when you work.
Be aware of your environment for safety risks.

Short Handled Tools:

Japanese Weeding Sickle

The weight of the tool is biased toward the front for easy handling
Typically, the edges are very sharp and come to a point
This tool works well on thick-stemmed roots

Half-moon Hand Garden Hoe

Works beneath the surface to pull the roots of the weed
Typically, the edges are very sharp
The crooked neck attached to the blade helps to correctly position the blade

CobraHead Weeder & Cultivator

Available in a short or long-handle design
Blade is cobra-shaped and narrow for accurate digging
Blade is steel and is meant to break up and plow through soil

Radius Ergonomic Hand Weeder

The curved handle enables manipulation without bending your wrist to reduce hand and wrist stress
Serrated, reinforced aluminum blade
The hand weeder is designed to slide deeply, alongside the root to pop out the root

Two Prong Weeding Fork (AKA Jekyll Weeder)

The two prongs are used to loosen the soil around the weed so that the root can be pried out
Useful for removing deep tap roots

Hori-Hori Soil Knife

Blade is 6-8 inches long
The edge of one side of the blade is smooth and the other is serrated
Useful for digging up and prying out weeds
Useful for cutting roots and splitting iris tubers

Long Handled Tools:

Grandpa’s Weeder Tool

Allows you to grab weeds without bending over
Center the tool over the weed, then press the forked end into the ground
Next, tilt the handle, which closes the claw and grabs the root so that you can lift it out

Hula, Scuffle, or Stirrup Hoe

Works beneath the soil
Push or pull the blade toward you at a shallow depth
The movable blade uses a hula-motion to cut weeds with shallow roots that are close to the surface

Dandelion weeder, fishtail weeder

Forked-tip allows you to reach under and in-between places
Tends to make a small hole to access weed roots without disturbing close-by plants
Good for weeds with taproots

Garden Seats, Kneelers, and Carts – can make your weeding project easier.

There are many different seat varieties, including some with wheels
Consider the height of the seat and the weight that you will carry as you move around your yard or garden
Again, there are many different kneeler varieties. Some have handles, and some can be turned upside down to make a seat
The design of the knee pads varies. Consider any physical needs you have that could influence your decision about the design and thickness of a knee pad
Wheeled carts are useful for carrying both your tools and the weeds you dig up
Carts come in a variety of sizes and weights you’ll want to consider before making a choice
An example of a clean-up cart made specifically for gardening is the Garden Clean-up Cart. It is sized to hold an 11-gallon plastic tub, with widely spaced wheels and a design to keep the tub level