The Genius Drill Hack That Makes Pulling Weeds 10x Faster

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For those who enjoy spending time in the garden, keeping your green areas neat and pristine can give a lot of satisfaction. Some even call it a labor of love as they go about trimming, churning, fertilizing, and planting. That said, there is one gardening chore that even those with the greenest of fingers find very little joy in — removing weeds. Like a game of whack-a-mole, these garden invaders crop up in lawns and garden beds about as quickly as you can remove them. Knowing how to effectively remove weeds from your garden is handy, especially during the spring and summer months when they germinate and bloom. One unconventional way to remove weeds in your garden involves two tools you may already have in your garage: a cordless drill and a handy drill attachment known as an auger drill bit.

For weeds like dandelions, thistles, and crabgrass, unless you remove the whole plant, they'll simply grow back from the point that was broken off. Getting to the root of the problem is therefore key for permanent weed removal. This is where the combo of a drill and auger drill bit becomes very useful. If you don't already know, an auger bit is a useful power tool attachment that is shaped in a spiral and is commonly used for drilling holes in wood and in the soil for posts. The spiral part of the bit, known as the flighting, scrapes out the soil and lifts it up the drill shank. When used on weeds, those come up as well, roots and all.

To start off, you'll need a drill, ideally cordless, and an auger drill bit. You can get these bits from your local home improvement store or online from any major retailer, and they won't cost you an arm and a leg. From most stores, you're looking at around $10 for a simple garden auger bit, but prices can raise a bit higher if you're looking for extra length or a multi-pack like this K-Brands Auger Drill Bit 3 Pack. You'll find that most bits will be compatible with a ⅜ inch chucked drill and can be used in both soft and hard soil.

For this smart way to remove weeds in your garden, simply attach the auger bit to the drill, making sure it's secure, and place it against the weed where it breaks through the soil. Then, aiming the bit directly down to the roots, hit the on switch. As it digs into the ground, the bit will loosen the soil around the weed and either remove the invader in the process or make it easier to pull the whole plant out. For cases where it doesn't remove the full root system, the auger drill bit will do a good job of cutting up the stranglers so that they don't regrow. Repeat the process for each of the weeds around your yard. Once you're done, make sure to remove all the dirt and any moisture left on the bit, then store it in a dry spot like your garage or toolbox.