Q&A for How to Pull Weeds

Bag weeds and put them in the garbage. Some people have a brush or compost pile on their property where they dump yard debris. Use caution when disposing of weeds in your yard because weeds already gone to seed can contaminate your pile with weeds. Some weeds can continue to grow from cuttings placed in a compost pile.

Use gravel or sand compacted into the cracks in a paver. Use herbicides or pull weeds that emerge between pavers. Apply a preemergent in the spring before weeds start to grow.

This will work for some types of weeds. Some weeds will regrow from fragments left in the soil. Others will not survive the soil being turned. It could be worth experimenting. Or identify what weed is growing and decide if this method would work.

Some weeds, like purslane, will regrow from pieces left in the soil so this method wouldn’t work for all weeds. Some weeds can regrow from roots left in the soil and a hoe may not go deep enough to remove the whole root. Identify what weeds are in your yard and if using a hoe is appropriate.

You can water your garden pretty heavily and then come back to weed it the next day or a few hours later. The rain is helpful because it makes the soil wet and malleable. If you can achieve the same results, then you don't need to wait for rain.

Be sure to stretch your back and legs before beginning. Try using a gardening stool instead of sitting or stooping, and always keep your back straight as you move around. You might also consider wearing a supportive brace or girdle around your midsection to provide support to your lower back.

If you live in a neighborhood or a community, then you can hire a neighbor for pay. Check your local newspaper, Craiglist, or neighborhood page on social media such as Nextdoor to see if there are any gardeners looking for work. You might also find neighborhood kids or teens who are looking for a part time job, or a local handyman or other person who takes odd jobs around people's homes.

If they are growing on the lawn, you could use garden tools. If they are growing in little cracks, you could use boiling water.

Try simply pulling out the weeds, as described in the article. You can try using mulch at the beginning of the season to avoid excessive weeding. Weed killer is not recommended. If you must use it, follow the directions on the bottle.