I never thought I’d say ‘weeding is fun’ but here we are. I’ve found an affordable tool that genuinely removes weeds (and their roots) from the lawn in seconds and it’s so good that I’ve been recommending it to my friends and family non-stop.
It’s my job as senior homes and lifestyle writer at the Good Housekeeping Institute to find the best and most useful products on the market. So I spend a lot of my time researching innovative launches and scrolling through social media for the latest trends. That’s how I came across the Gardena Weed Puller and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it – it looked easy to use, effective, and frankly, too good to be true. Could it really remove weeds – roots and all – from the lawn in three simple moves?
I tested the Gardena Weed Puller on thistles and dandelions in a dry, compacted garden lawn. Here’s my verdict.
The Gardena Weed Puller at a glance
Pros
- Very simple to use
- Removes weeds and their roots quickly
- Easy to eject the weeds from the tool afterwards
- No chemicals needed for weeding
Cons
- Still need quite a bit of strength to push the tool into the lawn
- Leaves holes behind where the weeds were
Features at a Glance
| Dimensions | H99 x W9.9 x D26cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.2kg |
| Materials | Steel |
| Guarantee | 25 years |
What I love about the Gardena Weed Puller
It actually removes weeds and the complete root in seconds
I wasn’t expecting the weed puller to be as effective as it was. Normally, I pull out half the weed while the rest stays stubbornly rooted in the ground, which is only a quick fix – within a week, the weed has grown back, and my lawn looks messy again.
Not with this tool, though. Instead, it reaches deep into the soil, reaching underneath the root and removing the whole plant. Truly impressive and very satisfying.
You don’t need to use chemicals
Most weed killers use synthetic herbicides such as glyphosate, which is a controversial chemical due to its toxicity. While we’ve tested the best eco weed killers made from naturally derived, biodegradable ingredients, if you want a solution that doesn’t involve putting any extras into your soil, this is a fantastic alternative.
Just dig the tool into the ground, twist, and remove – it’s as simple as that.
It’s quick and easy to use
The ease-of-use is definitely one of its main selling points. In the past (I shamefully admit) I’ve resorted to digging round a weed with a screwdriver to get the root out. Two sore knees and muddy hands later, and I still struggled to remove everything, but now I can pull it all out in seconds.
The tool also saves your back as you’re not having to constantly bend down to dig out weeds – and the integrated release mechanism means it’s simple to get the weed out of the end of the tool after you’ve removed it from the ground. Just slide the black section on the shaft downwards and the tool will smoothly eject the weed – then point it straight into your garden bin to avoid having to clear up afterwards.
It’s worth taking note of…
You do need muscle strength
I did have to use a bit of strength to get the tool into the ground. Although the soil in my garden was quite dry and hard, which probably made the task trickier.
There is a built-in footrest and a comfortable, sturdy handle to help slide the weeding blades in but I wouldn’t recommend it if you struggle with your balance or lack strength in your wrists and arms. Adding a little water to the lawn might make it easier, though.
You’ll be left with some small holes
Obviously, if you’re digging something out of the lawn, you’ll leave a hole behind. The blades are purposefully narrow, but the size of the hole also depends on how big the weed is. If you can bend down – and don’t mind kneeling – it’s worth filling the gaps in with new soil or breaking the old mud off the weed and using that instead.
My final verdict on Gardena’s Weed Puller
I told everyone about this very satisfying weed-removing tool after using it and some of them even went out and bought one themselves after seeing the results. It’s really made a difference to the lawn, removing weeds that I’ve battled against for ages, and I’m excited to see how the garden looks once the grass has grown over the little soil patches (you can only see them up close anyway!).
For £32, it’s a no-brainer for me. Plus, it comes with a 25-year guarantee, so you’ll be able to rely on it year after year.
Shop the Gardena Weed Puller at Argos and Amazon.
Megan is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s senior homes and lifestyle writer. She loves diving into the latest product releases to find the very best buys on the market and has written hundreds of product reviews on everything from the best vacuum cleaners and coffee machines to the best ice cream makers and robot window cleaners.
When she’s not writing about the newest gadgets and gizmos for your home and garden, you’ll find her running every distance from 5km to 100km or relaxing at home with her cat – there really is no in between.
Megan has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously written for Stylist, Glamour, Women's Health, TimeOut, SquareMeal, and YOU magazine. You can find Megan on Instagram @meganlouisegeall.
