Garden expert Erin Hynes, a former horticulture extension agent and author of numerous garden books, recommends that you invest in a few different types of hand garden tools for different tasks. “That lets you choose the best tool for the weed problem. Have a lot of weed seedlings popping in an unplanted bed? A Dutch hoe lets you clear a large, open area. But if you want to pop dandelions out of the lawn, you want a tool that cuts through the sod, like a dandelion weeder or a hori garden knife. If you’re weeding close to the tender stems of flowers and vegetables, grab a tool designed for precise work, like a Cape Cod weeder.” While researching the best weeding tools, we evaluated products based on size, material, effectiveness, versatility, ease of use, quality of construction, and value. Our favorite tool is the Kinsman Korean Hand Plow because it is well-made and can tackle a large variety of tough weeds. Here are the best weeding tools. The short-handled type is the most widely available, but long-handled versions are sold, too, and are perfect for gardeners who don’t want to bend down. Note that over time, the metal shank may become loose in its wooden handle. If this happens, simply tap the tool upright on a hard surface. Then tap it sharply on the top with a mallet to force it, like a nail, back into the wood of the handle. Price at time of publish: $25 The slender, angled blade allows you to penetrate the soil to get at even deep roots, making it an excellent tool for removing dandelions and small tree seedlings. The blade design also allows you to get under mulch with minimal disturbance. The Cape Cod weeder also is useful for digging shallow furrows for seeds or planting small annuals and other seedlings. You can also use it to aerate the soil, preventing compaction and improving water absorption. It can be tough to find left-handed and long-handled versions but DeWit, a Dutch company known for generations for making quality tools, offers both. Price at time of publish: $45 You’ll want to keep it at your side as you move through your yard, using it for everything from weeding to planting to cutting twine to opening up a plastic bag of mulch. In fact, many models come with a holster. This model’s gel handle is exceptionally useful, since a hori knife is often used to stab a hole into hard soil, so any cushioning eases impact on hands and joints. Price at time of publish: $28 Use the points to get in close to existing plants without harming them, and to get into tight spots. This tool is expensive, but it comes with a lifetime guarantee from a fifth-generation family-owned Dutch business and is made from forged high-carbon steel with a welded socket and integrated tang. This tool should be hand-sharpened every year or two, but with proper care, it should last several decades. A left handed version is also available. Price at time of publish: $63 This tool also can be used for other tough weeds that have a single deep taproot that needs to be pulled without disturbing the surrounding plantings, such as small weed trees. Price at time of publish: $9 Just position the claws around the weed, step on the lever, and the weed yanks right out of the ground. Then eject the weed from the weeder. This weeder only gets one weed at a time, but that also means it is precise and doesn’t disrupt surrounding grass or plantings. Price at time of publish: $48 The fork end is convenient for raking through soil loosened by the mattock to find and lift chunks of remaining roots. All that hacking can be tough on hands, causing sore wrists, elbows, and shoulders the next day. The cushioned handle can help minimize that strain. We also like the bright handle that can make it a bit easier to find. Price at time of publish: $6 And while this tool is strong, it’s lightweight (and rust-resistant) courtesy of a cast aluminum blade. The serrated side is handy for many things, including cutting open bags of mulch or soil amendments, and cutting vines and roots. The bright red handle makes it easy to locate. Price at time of publish: $12
Materials
Wood handles are traditional, especially ash, an extremely hard wood used in baseball bats, says garden expert Erin Hynes, a former horticulture extension agent and author of numerous garden books says. But even quality wood can crack and splinter if exposed to wet conditions for long periods of time. Hynes says that “some purists eschew plastic handles for breaking too soon, but I have a set of plastic-handed hand tools that I’ve used for years.” Plastic tends to be more comfortable as well, with rubber-like or gel handles being exceptionally comfortable and slip-resistant. Color is important, Hynes says. “After you set down the tool so you can go throw the laundry in the dryer, then feed the cat and have a drink of water, can you find the tool when you remember what you were doing in the first place and head back to the garden?” Metal is the material of choice for the business end of a garden tool. Steel is commonly used, though it can vary radically in strength and durability. Most types of steel are susceptible to rust, with the exception of stainless steel. Cast aluminum is also a good choice for its rust-resistance.
Ease of Use
A weeding tool should feel comfortable in your hand, solid and well-made. It should also feel well-balanced and the right weight for you. If bending and kneeling are difficult, try out longer-handled versions if they are available, or a stand up weeder. If you are in a store, try out several types. When shopping online, it’s harder to compare, but read reviews, watch videos, and ask questions. Check return policies, and consider purchasing two or more at a time, to try them out and return those you don’t want.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This list was researched and written by Veronica Lorson Fowler, a freelance writer for The Spruce. She specializes in home and outdoor products and is an avid gardener. Other higher quality (and therefore more expensive) steels used in hand garden tools are: Boron steel: Steel with boron added, which makes it very hard and therefore resistant to nicks and dents. Forged steel: Results from shaping steel under extremely high pressure. Forged steel is very strong and less porous, so mud and dirt stick to it less. Stainless steel: Steel with chromium and nickel added. It is extremely resistant to rust and corrosion and very easy to clean. Tempered steel: A process of treating steel with heat for increased strength. Hynes also offers these tips: “If I’m checking out tools in a brick-and-mortar store, I hold the tool to get a sense of the tool’s substance and balance. I also rely on online reviews, both for in-store and on-line purchases.” If you are storing a steel tool for the winter, it’s a good idea to rub it with a lightweight oil to protect it from moisture and rust. To put together this list of the best weeders, she considered factors such as function, handle, durability, and ease of use. She prioritized top picks with a good value that will help get weeding done faster and better. She also consulted Garden expert Erin Hynes, a former horticulture extension agent and author of numerous garden books.
