The moment you have a garden, weeds are simply inevitable. That’s why it is very important to have the perfect tools to be able to remove the weeds properly. If the weeds are not removed from time to time, they can cause great nuisance to your garden.
When you plan to have a garden, it is important that you research well on the pros and cons. The best way to remove weeds from your lawn or garden is to be aware of what kind of grass you are dealing with. You need to research whether the grass is annual or perennial or whether is spread by rhizomes or by the seeds. It is important to be aware of the grass before attacking them as it can backfire as well.
You can certainly remove weeds by pulling it with your hands but even though it is a good exercise, some good weeding tools is always a plus. Investing in some good garden tools has always been an advantage, as far as weeds removal tools are concerned, below is a list of tools which can prove profitable.
There are three basic tools for the weeding process:
1. Hands
2.Hoes and hand hoes
3. Herbicides
Hand pulling process :
The best and convenient way to remove weeds from your garden is by pulling with your hands. By doing so, you feel closer to your garden and nature as well as you develop the habit to yank off weeds every time that you walk around your garden. This habit allows your garden to be weed free. The best way to pull weeds is to get on your knee pad and start pulling. In that way, you also get some exercise done. Hand pulling is the best method for neglected garden beds.
Hoes :
When the weeds get deep or too big, it gets impractical to pull with your hands. Pulling a large clump of tiny weeds is definitely best to pull with the help of a hoe or a hand hoe. Both tools work the same way, it is only a question of whether you want to stand or get on your knees to get the job done. It is a personal choice of what kind of hoe you want to own.
Angled Japanese hoes are multipurpose ones as you can use it for weeding, digging or cultivating. The only con is that it can be used only in small spaces. For dispersed weeds on a larger surface, it is recommended to use a scuffle hoe because it is great for the push/pull action. There is no perfect tool for the weeding task, it is all about which one you are comfortable to work with, below are some styles which you can try :
Warren Hoe: It has a pointed and heart-shaped blade that is usually used to create furrows but it also works perfectly for small weeds.
Scuffle, Stirrup or Dutch Hoe: This tool can be used to cut weeds at the surface of a push/pull motion. It is very easy to use and nice for covering a larger area.
Draw Hoe: This flat bladed hoe works best when it involves any pulling job. With its sharp blade, it is easier to pull weeds from the long rows between vegetable crops.
The use of herbicides
Herbicides are not selective enough to know what is a weed or not, so you can either spread it around the whole garden or carefully spray it on your plants. However, even while being careful, some herbicides can drift on your other plants and bring harm to them. If you really want your plants to be safe, you will need a little patience. As it will require that you take some time out and grab a toothbrush and paint the herbicide onto the leaves of the weeds that you want to get rid off.
Chemical :
Sometimes the use of chemical herbicides is the only way to get rid of the weeds. However, there is a debate going on how harmful pesticides are for the environment. Many studies have proved that it can be a safe option if you use it in moderation and according to the package label. It is always safe to ask your provider before using pesticides.
Less Toxic :
With the new era, now you can buy acetic acid based herbicides. This process takes a longer time to act but it is very effective. This process is believed to be safer than chemical herbicides. It works by burning the leaves of the weeds. However, if you want to use a homemade solution, many gardeners have claimed that they have used household vinegar and they are very satisfied with the results. Household vinegar works best on weeds near hardscaping such as cracks.
