How To Pull Weeds Without Bending Or Kneeling (3 Methods)

Maybe you overdid it with gardening recently, or maybe you can’t bend or kneel as easily as before. That’s no reason to give up on gardening or let weeds take over your yard.

So, how do you pull weeds without bending or kneeling? You can pull weeds without bending or kneeling by using long handled tools like shovels, hoes, and stand up weeding tools. You also have the option of spraying weeds or covering them with tarps or mulch.

Of course, some of these methods will still require a little work. However, they will let you avoid most of the bending and kneeling.

In this article, we’ll talk about the tools you can use to pull weeds to avoid or minimize bending and kneeling. We’ll also talk about alternative methods that will help you save some effort.

Let’s begin.

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How To Pull Weeds Without Bending Or Kneeling

One of the easiest ways to pull weeds without bending or kneeling is to extend your reach. If you can grab the weeds from a distance, then your problem is solved!

dandelion weeds — Pulling weeds from a distance is possible with the right tools.

With that, let’s take a closer look at some long handled tools you can use to help with pulling weeds while standing.

Long Handled Weeding Tools (Pull Weeds While Standing)

There are several tools you can use to help you pull weeds while standing, including:

Hoe
Shovel
Weeder
Rake

Here is a description of each tool, how to use them, and where you can find them.

Hoes For Weeding

A hoe is a gardening tool with a long handle and a blade at the end. The blade on a hoe is angled away from the handle.

garden hoe — Garden hoes for weeding come in many shapes and sizes. Some are dual-purpose, such as this one.

You can use a hoe to loosen up soil to prepare for planting. However, its blade is also great for cutting weeds out of your garden.

A sharp, well-maintained hoe can cut through the thick roots of bigger, more established weeds. To use a hoe, you stick the blade into the soil and pull it towards you to remove the weed and its roots.

One drawback of a hoe is that it might cut off a weed and leave the roots behind. This gives weeds a chance to come back again.

Here are a few different types of hoes you can use for weeding, depending on your preferences:

Prohoe 7-inch Field Hoe – this hoe has a standard shape, with a 7-inch wide blade and a 60-inch (5-foot) handle. It weighs 4.1 pounds, so it isn’t too much of a burden to carry and use. You can learn more about the Prohoe 7-inch Field Hoe on the A.M. Leonard website.
Johnny’s 5-inch Trapezoid Hoe – this hoe has a steel blade with a trapezoid shape that is 5 inches wide at the bottom. The blade has a beveled edge and sharp corners to help with cutting out weeds. This tool is 5.5 feet long. You can learn more about Johnny’s 5-inch Trapezoid Hoe on the Johnny’s Selected Seeds website.
Johnny’s 3.25-inch Stirrup Hoe – this hoe has steel blade in the shade of a horse rider’s stirrup. The blade can oscillate to give you the right angle for cutting weeds. You can cut on both the push and pull, making it possible to cut weeds faster with a little practice. (They also have 5-inch and 7-inch versions available). You can learn more about Johnny’s 3.25-inch Stirrup Hoe on the Johnny’s Selected Seeds website.
Ames Warren 4.75-inch Triangular Hoe – this hoe has a steel blade in the shape of a triangle. The blade is pointed at the end and 4.75 inches wide at the top. The handle is 45 inches long. At only 2 pounds, this hoe is easy to handle when weeding. You can learn more about the Ames Warren 4.75-inch Triangular Hoe at the A.M. Leonard website.

Shovels For Weeding

A shovel is a gardening tool with a long handle and a blade at the end. Unlike a hoe, the blade is not angled away from the handle.

A square-shaped (flat) shovel blade is more useful for moving piles. A spade-shaped shovel blade is more useful for digging and weeding.

shovels — Shovels are useful for digging up weeds along with their roots so they don’t grow back.

A sharp, well-maintained shovel can dig up weeds entirely, including their roots. To use a shovel, you use your foot to drive the blade deeper into the ground and then use your arms to pull up the weeds.

One drawback of a shovel is that you might need to remove a lot of soil along with the weeds. That is really the only way to make sure you get the roots.

Here are a few different types of shovels you can use for weeding, depending on your preferences:

Leonard Round-Point Closed-Back Shovel with D-Grip Handle – this shovel has a steel blade with the standard spade shape. The blade is 9.25 inches wide and 12 inches long. The handle is 30 inches long, and the handle has a D-shape to allow for more control when digging. You can learn more about the Leonard Round-Point Closed-Back Shovel with D-Grip Handle at the A.M. Leonard website.
Hooyman Spade Shovel – this shovel has a steel blade with a narrow spade shape. It shape makes it perfect for digging up weeds. This shovel has a D-shaped handle and weighs only 4 pounds, making it easy to handle. You can learn more about the Hooyman Spade Shovel at the Hooyman website.
Gardener’s Supply Company Spear Head Spade – this shovel has a steel blade with a unique spade shape. The shovel is 40 inches long with a blade that is 11 inches long and 9 inches wide at the bottom (3 inches wide at the top). You can learn more about the Gardener’s Supply Company Spear Head Spade on the Gardener’s Supply Company website.
Leonard Round-Point Closed-Back Shovel with Tuff-Flex Composite Handle – this shovel has a steel blade with the standard spade shape. The blade is 9.25 inches wide and 12 inches long. The handle is 48 inches long and the entire shovel is 59 inches long, giving you plenty of reach if you want to weed while standing. You can learn more about the Leonard Round-Point Closed-Back Shovel with D-Grip Handle at the A.M. Leonard website.

Weeders For Weeding

A stand up weeder (or weed puller) is a gardening tool with a long handle and a blade for weeding at the end. There are many different designs for weeders.

A sharp, well-maintained weeder can cut large weeds above the surface or beneath the soil to get at the roots. To use a weeder, you use the blade to cut the weeds and pull them up.

One drawback of a weeder is that it does not have multiple uses like a shovel or hoe.

Here are a few different types of weeders you can use for weeding, depending on your preferences:

Skidger The Wicked Weeder 60-inch Hand Weeder – this weeder has a steel blade that is pointed at the end and sharp on the sides so that you can cut weeds and pry them up afterwards. The point and hollow center makes it easier to remove weeds and leave your crops unharmed. The tool is 60 inches (5 feet) long overall. You can learn more about Skidger The Wicked Weeder 60-inch Hand Weeder at the Ace Hardware website.
Gardener’s Edge Push-Pull Scuffle Hoe – this weeder has a double-edged steel blade that you can push or pull to cut weeds. This tool is 62 inches long and weighs only 2.5 pounds, making it easy to handle in the garden. You can learn more about the Gardener’s Edge Push-Pull Scuffle Hoe at the Gardener’s Edge website.
Johnny’s Long-Handled Wire Weeder – this weeder has a steel head that is 4 inches wide by 0.5 inches long. The size and shape of the blade makes it easy to avoid harming nearby plants that you want to keep safe. You can work this tool back and forth, or you can pull it through the soil to drag away any weeds standing in the way. You can learn more about Johnny’s Long-Handled Wire Weeder at the Johnny’s Selected Seeds website
A.M. Leonard Long Handle Cobrahead Weeder and Cultivator – this weeder has a curved steel blade that is shaped like a hook. It is great for getting weeds in tight places (like between your onions) while standing. This tool is 62 inches long and weighs 3 pounds, making it easy to handle in the garden. You can learn more about the A.M. Leonard Long Handle Cobrahead Weeder and Cultivator at the A.M. Leonard website.

Other Tools For Weeding

After you cut or dig weeds out of your garden, you will need a way to gather them up and dispose of them. In keeping with the “no bending or kneeling” theme, a rake is a great idea for gathering up a pile of cut weeds.

One good option is a plastic or fiberglass rake, such as this one with 26 tines from Grainger. The handle is 51 inches long with a cushion at the end to reduce blisters and hand pain.

A plastic snow shovel is also helpful, such as this 18-inch blade from A.M. Leonard. After making a pile of weeds, rake them into the shovel and put the weeds in a bucket or wheelbarrow.

You can then compost the weeds, or you can burn them and add the ash to your compost pile.

How to Remove Weeds Without Pulling Them

There are ways to remove weeds without pulling them by hand or with a tool. With these methods, you might still be able to get away with little or no bending or kneeling.

Cover The Weeds

You can use either mulch or tarp to cover weeds. Both methods will smother weeds that are already growing and prevent new weeds from taking root.

If you are trying to remove weeds from an area that has never been planted (or has not been planted yet this year), a tarp is a good bet. Lay the tarp over the area you want to remove weeds from.

plastic tarp — A tarp will smother weeds after enough time has passed.

Use stones, bricks, or soil to weigh down the edges. Then, let the sun do its work. The temperature under the tarp will get hot enough to finish off any weeds that have gotten started.

If you need to get rid of weeds that are growing between your crops, mulch is a better choice. You can use a shovel to dump mulch on top of weeds while leaving your garden crops uncovered.

If the mulch is thick enough, the weeds won’t be able to survive the heat and lack of air. A nice layer of mulch will also prevent new weeds from growing.

The best part about mulch is that it will eventually break down to add both nutrients and organic material to the soil in your garden.

Spray The Weeds Away

If you want to get rid of weeds between bricks, pavers, or patio stones without using dangerous chemicals, here are a few options:

Vinegar solution
Salt solution
Boiling water

boiling water in kettle — Boiling water will damage weeds, usually to the point that they cannot recover.

After applying one or more of these to weeds, their roots should loosen up. At that point, you can blast them away with a pressure washer.

Change Your Garden Layout

Using raised beds or containers can help you to avoid bending or kneeling when you tend your garden. This is true for all garden maintenance tasks, not just weeding.