Introduction
What's
the deal on hoeing?
Swoe cultivator
Push-pull weeder
Specialised
weeding tools
Harpoon
style weed extractor
Gripping
weedpuller
Weedkiller
applicator
Patio weeders
Flame gun
weeders
Introduction
Dense planting schemes and heavy mulching help to restrict weed growth
but there will always be some part of the garden that needs weeding. To
cater for people's desire to deal with this often gruelling task, the
garden tool manufacturing industry has produced a plethora of gizmos and
gadgets. Beware - many just don't work and are a waste of time and money.
Below are some tried and tested tools, which simply fall into two categories;
flat bladed hoes that you push and pull under the soil surface to remove
the delicate roots of annual weeds and the extractor type tool for deep
rooted weeds like dandelions.
What's
the deal on hoeing?
Hoeing removes shallow-rooted annual weeds,
but cuts off deep-rooted perennials which will continue to grow and
are best removed using a specialised weeding tool, or chemicals if you
are so inclined. Hoeing improves drainage, aeration, and nutrient dispersal
and helps condition your soil.
Avoid using the draw hoe if you have
back problems or arthritis. The chopping action required can cause back
strain and impact injuries to joints, tendons and ligaments. Most full
length hoes require considerable strength and co-ordination to use,
but the user does not have to bend and the lighter models can even be
used with one arm (especially with an 'add on handle').
Swoe cultivator
In my opinion this is the best and easiest
to use weeder/cultivator ever made. It is also one of the strangest
looking. Which explains why even after 25 years of marketing it is still
hard to sell. The Swoe is a cross between a golf club and a hoe and
is light-weight yet extremely strong. The chamfered steel blade slides
under the soil backwards and forwards, (or at an angle) and can even
be hooked around the back of a hard to reach plant. Turned on its edge
it can be used to dig small holes for planting, seed drills and for
ridging soil. All new versions have a stainless steel blade that remains
cleaner and smoother therefore offers less resistance when sliding through
the soil.
| Length |
1.5m |
| Weight |
680g |
| Price |
£25 |
| Supplier |
Fiskars
UK Ltd |
| Model no |
223470 |
|
 |
Especially good for people
who cannot bend, people who
use wheelchairs, people who use one arm and people with upper limb weakness.
Tip: Try to stand upright, move with the
tool - don't stoop or stretch.
Tip: You may want to cut down the handle to make it shorter.
Tip: If you use with one arm only try the Peta
(UK) Ltd Easi-Grip add on handle.
Push-pull
weeder
A similar tool to the Dutch hoe but works
more effectively on the reverse movement.
| Working width |
100mm and 150mm |
| Weight inc. 1.4m handle |
approx. 1kg |
| Price ranges |
(RF-M10 and 15)
£14-19
+ £9 for handle. |
| Supplier |
Wolf
Garden Ltd |
| Model no |
X240NT total control |
|
 |
Especially good for people
with back problems, people who use a wheelchair and people who use one
arm.
Specialised
weeding tools
After testing numerous weeding tools over
many years I have found very few 'weeders' that I would recommend. Often
these tools are created by opportunists who know that all gardeners
would love a better way of dealing with weeds. Whilst most work to some
extent they are often more trouble than they are worth and would not
be sold if people could have tried them first.
Points to consider:
- Most specialised
weeding tools work on one weed at a time. So weeding a large area
can be very time consuming.
- Try to use one
before buying , otherwise buy on recommendation from other gardeners,
or professional and unbiased magazines such as Gardening Which?.
The following tools have been tested and
proved effective. Be aware that none on their own is likely to solve
all your weeding problems.
Harpoon
style weed extractor
This harpoon-like tool is pushed down over
deep rooted weeds and twisted to extract the weed with the root and
plug of soil. It must be used vertically and the weed must be manually
removed from the tool. It is lightweight and very effective on dandelions
in cultivated soil but is hard to use in lawns and leaves a big hole.
| Length |
1m |
| Weight |
500g |
| Price |
£16 |
| Supplier |
Wolf
Garden Ltd |
| Model no |
IWA Weed extractor |
|
 |
 |
Especially good for people
who cannot bend.
Gripping
Weedpuller
This tool will remove all kinds of weeds
in cultivated soil but not in lawns or compacted ground. The blade is
pushed into the ground beside the weed, then the trigger is squeezed
so that the claw grips the weed, ready to be pulled out. Ideal for wheelchair
users, except those with weak grip or poor co-ordination. The slippery
metal grip is not suitable for people with severe arthritic conditions
of the hand. The grip may be improved by using a non-slip tape of the
type used on bicycle handlebars. The safety catch can also be difficult
to operate for people with poor dexterity.
Tip - keep a stick close at hand to clear
the blade in sticky soil.
| Length |
864mm |
| Weight |
450g |
| Price range |
£42.75 inc p&p |
| Supplier |
A
Wright & Son |
| Model no |
Baronet weedpuller |
|
 |
Especially good for people
who use a wheelchair and people who use one arm.
Weedkiller
applicator
Simply fill the plastic tube with liquid
weedkiller and dab the weed without bending. The chemical solution is
administered by a sponge pad. If you don't use all the solution tip
it out and store in a jar for later use.
Especially good for people
who cannot bend, people who use one arm, people who use a wheelchair
and people with upper limb weakness.
Patio weeders
Also known as weed knives. This tool was
designed to be used on a short handle and hook out weeds from between
the paving slabs. You can make a long-handled version from any of the
interchangeable ranges but you will need considerable co-ordination
to use it and some bending to obtain the optimum angle for weeding.
| Length |
240mm |
| Weight
|
200g |
| Price |
£7.50 |
| Supplier |
Gardena
UK Ltd |
| Model
no |
3555 |
|
 |
Also available in Wolf
Garden Ltd, Fiskars UK Ltd and
Spear & Jackson interchangeable
versions.
Especially good for people
who use a wheelchair, people who cannot bend and people who use one
arm.
Flame gun
weeders
A small butane powered flame is used to
kill the weed for later disposal. When dead the weed can be more easily
pulled out or even burned away. Burning only will lead to quicker re-growth
but avoids any bending. The flame is ignited by a spark ignition system.
A £2 gas canister may last up to 1 hour.
| Length |
770mm |
| Weight |
900g |
| Price |
£34 |
| Supplier |
M H Berlyn Ltd |
| Model no |
Weed Wand |
|
 |
Especially good for people
who cannot bend and people who use one arm.
|
