Several of our experts say gardening knives are great for removing every part of the weed — including the stubborn roots. “The handiest tool you’ll ever meet is a good soil knife,” says Teri Valenzuela, the Natural Science Manager at Sunday Lawn Care. Jeremy Starke, a gardening expert and founder of vegetable gardening website Green Thumb Gardener, is a fan of the Japanese multipurpose tool called a Hori Hori knife. Compared to a typical gardening knife, it’s larger and has measurements on the blade that help indicate the soil depth while planting. “Sometimes you have a weed that you can’t quite pull with your hand, so using the Hori Hori really helps to pry them out,” says Starke. This one has a Japanese stainless steel concave blade and, according to the brand, it’s both rust-proof and scratch-resistant.
Type: handheld | Rating: 4.8-star average from 7,944 reviews on Amazon
Our experts recommend a long-handled garden hoe for weeds with shallow roots. You won’t have to bend over when you pull out the weeds, and its broad blade can handle lots of different roots and stems. This hoe from Craftsman has a looped steel blade that lets you easily push and pull on weeds and a slim wood handle for ease of use, according to the brand.
Type: long-handled | Rating: 4.7-star average from 103 reviews on Lowe’s
A Cape Cod weeder is great for pulling weeds in tight spaces, according to experts, and this one from Carrot Design is made of beech hardwood with a steel blade and neck. The brand says you use the pointed end of the weeder to drag at ground level and cut the weeds at the roots — or dig out the root with its sharp tip. Cape Cod weeders are configured based on your dominant hand, so make sure you order accordingly.
Type: handheld | Rating: 4.3-star average from 373 reviews on Amazon
If your main problem is dandelions, you might want to consider a dandelion weeder, otherwise known as a fishtail weeder. This one is made from stainless steel and has a two-pronged fork design that’s meant to grab weeds by their roots. It has a soft-gripped handle with a contoured finger design, too.
Type: handheld | Rating: 4.6-star average from 937 reviews on Amazon
A paving or patio weeder, like this one suggested by Carmen DeVito — the founder of garden and landscape design company Garden Cult and a certified New York State landscape professional — is designed to weed in corners and in between concrete, which can be an especially annoying task according to our experts. This tool is precisely angled for easier weed removal, according to the brand.
Type: handheld | Rating: 4.4-star average from 156 reviews on Amazon
George Bernadon, the VP of grounds management at SSC Services for Education, which provides support services for educational institutions, says he uses a spading fork “for more difficult or mature weeds with deeper roots,” and the True Temper 4-Tine Spading Digging Fork has four diamond-pointed steel tines for easy digging, according to the brand. “I can insert the fork into the ground around the weed from varying directions to loosen the soil around the roots,” he says, adding that the process “aerates the soil around desirable plants.” He also notes that a spading fork can be used by novices and experts alike.
Type: handheld | Rating: 4.6-star average from 1,731 reviews on Amazon
For weeding small garden areas, DeVito suggests this handheld hoe from Barebones. It has an ergonomic, stainless steel blade and walnut handle for a smooth and easy grip, according to the brand. The cutting stirrup head moves front to back for better angles when cutting weeds, which makes removal much easier and more efficient.
Type: handheld | Rating: 4.7-star average from 270 reviews on Amazon
For larger areas, DeVito likes this versatile double tool from the Gardener’s Supply Company, which combines the benefits of a cultivator and a hoe. You can loosen the soil and weed plants at the same time, making it a great option for gardeners looking to save space or money on tools. It’s made from sustainably-grown ash and a durable, high-carbon boron steel, according to the brand.
Type: handheld | Rating: 4.7-star average from 10 reviews on Amazon
According to DeVito, this tool is ideal for gardeners with mobility or pain issues, like arthritis. Using the circular head, the tool pulls through soil to loosen and cut weeds without making too much of a mess — its head is sharp only on the bottom, so as to precisely cut through the underground roots of weeds, according to the brand. The shank and blade are made from solid steel, while the handle is made from beech hardwood.
Type: handheld | Rating: 4.5-star average from 369 reviews on Amazon
This bamboo weeder is one of our favorite gardening products from Amazon — it uses a metal claw to hook into the center of the weed and pull it from the root, according to the brand. It has a 45-inch shaft, so you can pull weeds without bending or kneeling, and is also great for softer soil, especially when wet.
Type: handheld | Rating: 4.5-star average from 59,296 reviews on Amazon
Weeding tools differ in shape and size as well as form and function (some weeding tools only make sense if you’re gardening above or around pavers, for example). When looking at a new tool for weeding, pay close attention to its length, durability, intended use and the weeds you’ll be using it on.
When getting rid of weeds, your ultimate goal should be to disturb as little of the soil as possible to prevent any new weeds from growing, says Valenzuela. She suggests repeatedly cutting or mowing down the weeds for larger patches to exhaust their energy reserves, which weakens them over time and makes them easier to pull. “For smaller or standalone weeds, a precise application of herbicide can do the trick,” she says.
For good measure, DeVito recommends smothering the weeds before applying any chemical weed killer, especially on open soil or emptier garden beds. “Black trash bags or cardboard covers weighted with rocks or bricks will weaken weeds, making them easier to remove later,” she says.
Lastly, Valenzuela recommends always following up your weeding with reapplying mulch or planting into the area.
Valenzuela says that gardeners should avoid disturbing the soil without having a follow-up plan, since doing so could result in even more weeds growing. “When you remove weeds, it’s like rolling out the welcome mat for more weeds,” she says. DeVito also suggests making sure that you remove the entire plant, from root to stem, otherwise the weeds are sure to come back.
Since a weed can be classified as any undesirable plant in your yard, Valenzuela says that the signs of a weed problem depend on your personal threshold. “Not every plant needs to be removed or treated,” she says. Sometimes, the causes of your weed problems can be underlying issues with soil, which may take a long time to get under control. Weed seed banks in soil are strong, and can take a few seasons to fully manage. “Stay patient and continue to replant the area alongside removal,” she says. “You’ll begin to see the results after a few years.”
Both Valenzuela and DeVito agree that a weed is just a plant in the wrong place. “A little acceptance of imperfection , along with a few weeds will go a long way to enjoying your garden spaces,” says DeVito.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Justin Krajeski and Morgan Greenwald are former editors for NBC Select. Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter covering skin care, lifestyle, gardening and more for NBC Select. For this piece, they spoke to gardening experts to find out the best weeding tools and how to shop for them, along with everything you need to know about weeding your garden.
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