The weeder is a garden tool with a long handle and a pointed blade at the other end. The blade, also known as a dibble pick, is used to loosen up the soil around plant roots and gently lift out the weeds before they steal any more of your water, nutrients or space. Most weeder comes with an integrated hoe that can be used to smooth over any divots in the soil.
Often overlooked, the weeder is an important part of any garden. Here are three tips for selecting and using a weeder to best effect.
1) Start small. Choose a model that’s just a little bit too small to fit over the weed you want to remove. This will keep your fingers from getting pinched as you push down on one end of the handle and raise up on the other, which can also free up soil around it for better nutrients and sunlight penetration.
2) Use a free-weight hoe, or you’ll soon see what happens. A free-weight hoe, like the one from Bernzomatic, uses a cylinder of lead to distribute the weight evenly along its entire length. It has no blade (the blade is on top and not underneath). This model is perfect for small weeding jobs and will last years because it’s so durable. As you work, soil and rocks move around underneath the cylinder without fear of damage to the bottom.
3) Use the heel of your boot. This is the easiest weeding tool ever. Just scrape your heel along the soil from bottom to top, creating a V-shaped furrow that you can open up with your fingers or a tiny trowel without effort. If you haven’t tried this, give it a shot and see how much easier this technique ends up being than bending down and trying to yank out the roots by hand.
