Forget Weeding Gear: This Tool You Already Own Makes Quick Work Of Unwanted Plants

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Poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson described a weed as "a plant whose virtues have never been discovered." And given that weeds are defined by the Bureau of Land Management as "any plant growing where it is not wanted," Emerson may have a point. However, many of us aren't willing to devote time to learning every plant's undiscovered virtues. After all, some of them are invasive, spreading widely and challenging the natural ecosystem. Others might be noxious, with the potential to harm local wildlife, agriculture, and public health. We need to get rid of weeds in our garden as quickly as possible before they take over.

To do that, novice and expert gardeners alike know there are many options and diverse opinions about toxic chemicals or using common kitchen ingredients to tackle weeds. There are a number of products on the market specifically for pulling weeds — not only tools, but also accessories like knee pads, gloves, and tubs — and variations on tactics for the task. Veteran gardeners are enthusiastic evangelists of their tried-and-true methods, eager to convert nonbelievers.

For gardeners who are still seeking out their favorite products and techniques, experimentation may be necessary, along with a bit of unconventional thinking. The next time you tackle a weeding project, pull out your paint supplies instead. A multi-use too like this Bates 5-in-1 Tool has incredible versatility for paint projects, but it can double as a weeding tool. Weeds beware!

Weeds growing in cracks are challenging, as some crevices are paper-thin, making even narrow tools seem too thick for the job. That's where the slim head of the painter's tool shines. The edge of the tool can slide into the narrowest spots, and the sharp tip can target tightly wedged weeds. The tool can also be used to scrape off moss, extract heavy-duty roots, or slice open bags of mulch or soil.

Even with the most effective tools, weeds can be incredibly stubborn, so consider killing them ahead of time for easier removal by hand. Try any of these ways to get rid of weeds in pesky areas like the driveway. Be aware of how weed killers may impact your lawn or surrounding plants, and don't use them on windy days, to keep the coverage contained. Aim for a warm (not hot), sunny day, when rain isn't forecasted. If the temperature is too hot, the spray might evaporate before it takes effect. Once the weeds have shriveled, the plants can be more easily removed with the painter's tool.

Another tip is that weeds will give less resistance in wet soil, so water the area just enough to moisten the soil without making it muddy. Give the soil about 30 minutes to soak up water, and then pull up the weeds in their entirety to prevent regrowth.