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Digging errant weeds out of the lawn is a dandy way to expend a Saturday morning — aver no one ever . But if that unmarried dandelion goes to cum , soon there will be dozens of gay yellow heyday , observe by hundreds next twelvemonth . So , neglect is n’t a good option , but kneel , deflection , or treating the lawn with toxic chemicals might not appeal to you , either .
receive to the world of manual weed pullers . As part of a larger trial to determine which were thebest remain firm - up weed pullers , I taste out the Fiskars 4 - chela point of view - up weed-whacker in my own yard .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Is theFiskars weederperfect ? No . You ’ll still need to bump off each breach weed one at a time , but as someone who ’s tried dig out the long taproot of a dandelion , I found it much easier to do with this tool . Keep reading to find out what I liked about this weed pullerand what I conceive Fiskars could do to improve it even more .
Fiskars Stand-Up Weed Puller (4-Claw): At a Glance
Rating:4/5
SPECS
PROS
CONS
Get the Fiskars stand - up weed-whacker at :
What is the Fiskars weed puller?
This weeder is designed to make murder invading sens , such as blowball or thistles , gentle without resorting to harsh herbicides . Its longsighted grip let the user murder weeds while stand rather than have to kneel or flex to dig out the weed . Its nonslip , offset handle adds an ergonomic touch .
The weed puller toolhas four serrate sword claws and a step - on chopine . By position the claws forthwith over the center of the weed and then stepping down on that platform , I was able to drive the claws deeply into the weed ’s root system .
The serrate claws fascinate the weed ’s root . And when I used the right technique , I was able to deplumate the whole weed out of the ground , roots and all .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Is this just another garden gimmick?
At first , I was less than impressed with this weed - dragger tool from Fiskars . This is because every fourth dimension I pulled it out of the ground , the weed I was assay to bump off remained firmly frozen in the lawn . But I was doing it wrong .
I ’ve had good luck with other Fiskar tool , so I want to give thisweed - take out toola fortune . After all , Fiskars is a well - known name in geld tools , admit scissors and paper cutting tool . It ’s also a top manufacturer ofgardening and landscaping peter , such as pruners , axis of rotation , and shears . So , before giving up on this weeder , I decide to understand the instructions printed on the side of the tool ’s handle .
There ’s a technique to using the weed-whacker , and once I get the hang it , I was capable topull up weedswith relative ease — even those with taproot . I was n’t successful on every attack , but I was able-bodied to remove a majority of them .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
So, what’s the magic technique?
It ’s simple . Instead of rend theFiskars weederup and out after I ’d stepped on it and implant the hook , I learned to tip off the tool to the side , which allowed the serrate claws to keep back a firm grip on the weed ’s roots and pry it up and out of the ground . Once the weed was out , all I had to do was bear on the firing lever on the handle down , which exclude the Mary Jane from the claws .
It ’s an soft technique , but it ’s not intuitive — I would n’t have guessed how to utilise it had it not been described on the side of the handle .
When it worked—and when it didn’t.
After figuring out the best way to use the stand - up weed-whacker , I tried it out on several dissimilar types of weeds and soil . I was almost always able to take away little to medium - size of it weeds , include dandelions and thistle . But if the taproot was wider than about ¾ inch in diam or longer than 1 substructure , the weeder was n’t always successful .
I also gain I had more succeeder when the soil was slightly dampish , though not soggy . If I watered the soil one Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , I ’d have better lot the next Clarence Shepard Day Jr. when I used the weeder . When the basis was too pixilated , the blades would slip around in the clay without being capable to dig the etymon . When the ground was too dry , it was difficult to fee the instrument to the side , and the weed ’s roots often broke off instead of pulling out .
Is theFiskars weed puller toolright for you?
TheFiskars weedermight be a good alternative if you ’re looking for an eco - well-disposed ( and back - favorable ) way to remove invasive Mary Jane in your lawn or garden without resorting to toxic chemical . If you have a portion of sess to pull , it ’s a time - saver .
If the soil in your yard is soft and loamy , you ’ll have better luck with this peter than if it ’s surd or clay - ground . Removing most weeds is relatively simple-minded as long as they have n’t developed massive taproot , in which case the tool incline to be less successful .
The Fiskars weeder has its place , and it can be beneficial for those who have mobility issues and get hold repeatedly flex and kneeling to dig out out weeds unmanageable . If you buy it , take some metre to teach the correct agency to use it ; if you do n’t , it ’s not worth the cost .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Where to Buy the Fiskar Weed Puller
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a product quizzer and author specialise in the construction , remodeling , and material land industries . She and her husband own a cosmopolitan contracting company , and Taylor is go through in both residential and commercial-grade building applications . She tests a wide range of mountains of power tools as well as other home betterment , household , and lawn - and - garden products .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We ’ll help you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few passel on your patio , a raised bed , or an in - ground plot out back — and select the right plants for your soil and region .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
