The best weeding tools for every stubborn garden weed – and why one type does not suit all of these pesky garden invaders
Get to the root of the problem by picking the right weeding tool for the job
The warm weather has seen everything in my garden take on a sudden growth spurt. And while it’s lovely seeing all the flowers and plants come into bloom, unfortunately, the weeds seem to be growing at full speed, too.
While it’s tempting to jump in and yank weeds out as you spot them, different weeds require different tools depending on their type and location and knowing which gardening tools to use on which weed is the secret to success when it comes to the battle against them.
‘Weeding is most effective when you match the tool or method to both the type of weed and the area you’re working in,’ says Mark Hewett, Divisional Sales Manager for Garden Tools & Accessories at Wilkinson Sword and Town & Country. ‘When it comes to how to get rid of weeds, different weeds have different root systems – from shallow, surface-rooted invaders like daisies and moss, to deeper tap-rooted weeds such as dandelions – so using the right approach and tool makes removal quicker, more effective and far less disruptive to surrounding plants.’
1. Keep on top by weeding little and often
‘The key to successful weeding is consistency,’ says Mark. ‘Tackling weeds little and often prevents them from establishing strong root systems, making them much easier to remove and a speedier way to get rid of weeds.'
‘It’s also best to weed after rain or watering, when the soil is softer, and roots can be lifted more cleanly. Wherever possible, aim to remove weeds at the root rather than just cutting them back (which is a classic weeding mistake), as removing the root will help prevent regrowth.’
2. Tackle deep-rooted weeds
‘For weeds with deeper tap roots, such as dandelions or dock, it’s recommended to use tools that can get underneath and lift the root system,’ advises Mark. ‘A weed grubber, like this Carbon steel weed grubber, £6.99, Wilkinson Sword, is ideal for this, as its leverage design helps pry out weeds cleanly from lawns and borders, removing the root as well as the foliage.’
‘For more precise work in crowded flower beds, a weeding knife is particularly effective. It’s narrow blade allows gardeners to target individual weeds in tight spaces, making it especially useful around delicate planting where accuracy is important. It can also double up as a planting tool for bulbs and seedlings.’
Shop for weeding knives
3. Clear surface weeds and lawns more easily
‘For shallow-rooted weeds, such as daisies, or to get rid of weeds spreading across lawns and borders, surface-level tools are often the most efficient,’ advises Mark.
‘A long-handled tool, like this stainless steel Dutch hoe, £34.99, Wilkinson Sword, is ideal for slicing weeds just below the soil surface, allowing you to clear larger areas quickly while minimising disruption to the soil.’
4. Target paths, patios and hard surfaces
‘When it comes to how to remove weeds from a patio, then these hard-to-reach, stubborn weeds growing between paving slabs or in compacted areas require a more targeted solution,’ advises Mark. ‘A patio scraper or patio knife with an L-shaped blade designed specifically for this purpose, like this stainless steel hand patio knife, £12.99, J. Parker's, can get into narrow gaps or remove weeds and moss at the root, helping to keep hard landscaping clean without chemicals.’
‘For a different, heat-based approach to weed control, the Weed Wand, £19.99, Town & Country, offers a chemical-free way to tackle unwanted growth across larger hard surfaces. It uses intense heat to destroy the internal cell structure of weeds, causing them to wither and die back naturally, making it particularly effective on driveways, paths and patios. As a bonus, it’s a versatile year-round tool that can also be used as a barbecue fire starter and path de-icer in winter.’
For a speedy way of tackling weeds in paving, an electric weeder, like the QVC weed sweeper, £64.92, that we tested, will remove stubborn weeds in-between slabs in a jiffy with no back-breaking bending over required. And for tricky weeds growing in block paving, Ideal Home's Gardens Editor Sophie was impressed with Newman and Cole's long-handle weed brush, £9.97, from Amazon, which worked a treat on her driveway.
5. Go deeper in beds and hard-to-reach areas
‘For lighter, targeted work in flower beds, a small hand-held weed fork is comfy and easy to use and will help lift weeds with minimal disturbance to surrounding plants,' says Mark.
‘In more established garden borders, a long-handled weeding fork will allow gardeners to reach further into planting beds without disturbing surrounding plants or needing to bend excessively, making them ideal for more mature or densely planted spaces.’
Shop for hand-held weeding tools
6. Get to grips with really stubborn weeds
When it comes to those really hard-to-remove weeds that have a long tap root, like large dandelions and thistles, then a stand-up weeder, like the Spear & Jackson weed puller, £30, Argos, can come in super-useful at pulling out the weed by its roots, while being easier on the back too. At the end of a long handle, there is a set of prongs on a hinge with a foot lever. Simply place the prongs over the top of the weed, step on the lever to close the prongs and then pull. The entire weed and root should come out intact.
Alternatively, Ideal Home's Senior Digital Editor, Jenny, is a big fan of the Root Slayer shovel, £48.71, at Amazon, which has a serrated edge that slices through soil or the roots of weeds with ease and is great for getting rid of large or stubborn weeds in garden borders.
How do you tackle weeds in your garden? Are there any favourite weeding tools that you'd recommend?
