No Pulling: The Budget-Friendly Tool For Removing Weeds From Driveway Cracks

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Weeds that grow along the cracks and crevices of your driveway often don't reach their full size potential due to a lack of resources. That doesn't make their presence any more welcome, however. Removing weeds from tight spaces can be difficult because the surrounding pavement limits access to the soil, but fortunately, there are tools, like this budget-friendly Amazon find, designed to make the process a bit easier.

The Nisaku Crevice and Sidewalk Weeder is a small handheld weeding tool made from a stainless steel serrated blade and a wooden handle. It costs only $11.99, and its thin blade is designed to easily access cracks and gaps in driveways and paths, helping cut and remove weeds growing there. At less than 2 ounces, it's lightweight enough to comfortably use for longer periods of time. One thing to keep in mind with the Nisaku crevice and sidewalk weeder is its size. Several Amazon reviewers noted that they were surprised by the size of the tool when it arrived, having expected it to be larger. One reviewer noted that "this tool is very small (only 3" wide by 3" long from top of handle to bottom of blade)." The manufacturer's listing for the Nisaku weeder's size is 3.5 inches. If you're looking for a more accessible tool that doesn't require bending or kneeling, then you may wish to search for larger options that include handles for removing weeds without hand pulling.

No matter if you're hand pulling weeds or having them sprayed, getting as much of the root system as possible can help prevent them from quickly growing back. If you only remove the leaves and leave a perennial weed's crown or roots intact, it may simply grow back. Many established weeds can regrow when enough of the crown or root system remains intact, putting you right back at stage one of removal. As a result, when using the Nisaku weeder, just like with any other weeding method, you'll want to ensure that you're going beyond the surface to remove the root of the problem.

That's where learning how to properly use the Nisaku weeder becomes a priority. The Nisaku weeder can be used for removing weeds around your yard, but its narrow blade is particularly useful in hard-to-reach areas like driveway cracks and crevices. The goal is to insert the stainless steel blade far enough that you sever the taproot at the right location, which is below the root crown. For weeds with shallow or accessible roots, you may even be able to remove most of the root system along with the plant.

One notable problem with removing weeds from cracks in your driveway is that the foliage may make it difficult to access the soil itself. With the crevice and sidewalk weeder, however, you can easily remove the leaves beforehand by simply dragging the serrated edge along the plants. This can free up space and make it easier to reach the weed's base and roots. From there, work the blade alongside and beneath the weed to loosen the roots, then lift out as much of the plant and root system as possible.