Many folks seem surprised when I tell them I weed the yard by hand.

I guess they assume I spray. Or that I’m using some kind of weed killer service because that’s how they keep weeds tamped back in their yards.

This isn’t to say I only pull weeds by hand. Sometimes I’ll make a natural weed killer using vinegar and salt. I’ve even dumped boiling water on plants I want to get rid of. But this is only if I’m trying to remove a ton of weeds from stone-covered paths or other areas that are tedious to weed by hand

And, mind you, I’m not pulling weeds from the yard. You see, my wife and I deem anything green that grows in the yard as “grass.” And, this is among the most environmentally friendly ways for growing a lawn.

So how do I do this? How do I keep weeds out of my yard just by pulling them by hand? I’ll explain…

Why Is It Better To Pull Weeds By Hand?

I don’t understand why so many people look at me like I’m bananas when I say I weed the yard by hand. It’s not really that hard, especially when you keep up with the task. Weed control by hand is more cost effective than buying sprays or hiring weed care services. It’s also much safer for pollinators, which are usually harmed by weed killers.

Oh, and one more thing: it’s safer for you, too. There’s no doubt you’ve heard about the cancer risks and other health concerns associated with using certain weed killers. Guess what? Even occasional exposure to certain weed killers may up your risk for cancer or other health maladies you don’t want to be dealing with down the pike.

Something else to think about to is that some weeds will eventually grow resistant to weed killers. But they don’t stand a chance if you pull them out of the ground by hand!

Besides, I think pulling weeds by hand is rather enjoyable. It gets me out in the yard on a frequent basis. It also helps me keep on top of other things that might be going on in the garden, like pest issues or discovering plants that need some pruning or other special care.

How To Pull Weeds Manually

I can’t stress enough about how important it is to get out in the garden every day! Not only is this healthy, but it’s also how you stay on top of weed control in your yard. You’ve got to nip those weeds in the bud!

I make my weed care rounds every morning during the busy growing season. Where I am in Central Florida, the growing season is nearly year-round.

Since I’m not as concerned about what’s growing in the lawn, I focus my attention on walking along all the hedges and growing beds. I scan planting areas by eye, linear foot by linear foot, looking for little plants I don’t want growing there.

I make sure I pluck out any weeds I see, even the tiny ones. You know what else weeding out those little weed saplings does? It keeps those weeds from getting to the point where they set seed and cause more weeds to grow.

But don’t forget that many weeds can propagate new growth with as little as a quarter inch of root left behind. And that’s why it’s important to remove the entire weed – including its roots. The problem with some weed roots is that they take the form of rhizomes, which creep across beds just below the soil level. So, you may not even see all the root as you pull weeds from the hedges.

Tools For Weeding The Yard By Hand

We have several tools that help us to more effectively (and more easily) remove weeds from our yard. These include:

• Shovel – This gardening staple comes in handy for removing large patches of weed-infested soil and extricating larger unwanted plants by their roots.
• Spade – A garden spade is good for extricating individual deep-rooted weeds, like dandelions, from the ground.
• Fork – A gardening fork is terrific for breaking up creeping plants and groundcovers you wish to remove.
• Hoe – Ideal for moving sections of soil, a garden hoe is perfect for extracting areas of soil that are inundated with weeds.
• Hand weeder – This device looks a little like a wide-tipped flathead screwdriver with a rounded notch in the middle of the blade. It’s great for hand weeding in tight areas or loosening soil around weeds with deep tap roots, tubers, or bulbs.

Tips To Weed The Yard By Hand More Easily

I know hand weeding isn’t always fun, but there are ways to make it easier. Here are some of the things I do to make weeding the yard by hand a breeze:

• Weed as often as you can – Screening the yard every other day or so helps catch weeds as they’re just sprouting up. If you go too long between weeding sessions, it may become more daunting to pull weeds by hand.
• Pull weeds while they’re small – The best time to pull weeds is when they’re just emerging. This helps ensure you get all the root out of the ground and prevents the plant from setting seed.
• Do your hand weeding when the soil is wet – It’s much easier to pull weeds from the ground after a rainfall. The root comes out of the soil much more easily when it’s wet.
• Tug the weed near the base of the plant – The best way to pull a weed is from as close to the soil as possible. Firmly pull the weed straight up, and not at an angle. If the plant breaks off, use a tool to remove the root.
• Wear gloves when weeding by hand – There are some weeds you must watch out for, like poison ivy and stinging nettle. These aren’t the kinds of weeds you want to remove with your bare hands. So, I usually keep a pair of gloves nearby when I’m weeding. I can put them on if I encounter plants that might irritate my skin.

When I weed the yard by hand, I get out first thing in the morning. You know why? I’ll have no excuse for letting the rest of my busy day creep in and push out my time in the garden. And there’s no better way to start the day than getting my hands a little dirty in the yard!