Fiskars Weed Puller March 2012
Fiskars Weed Puller first look
Which? Gardening takes a first look at the Fiskars Weed Puller, which promises to eliminate the tedious work of pulling up weeds by hand. Costing £39.99,
we see if the Fiskars Weed Puller is worth
the high price tag.
Fiskars claims its stainless-steel Weed Puller will help gardeners to keep their lawns perfectly manicured without the need for harmful pesticides. The eco-conscious tool is designed with deep-reaching claws to remove the entire weed, including the root. Its lightweight, slim design makes the tool easy to handle yet sturdy, allowing you to weed the whole lawn without straining your back.
Removes weeds effortlessly
Tap-rooted weeds, such as dandelions, are often tricky to remove from lawns and gravel paths without leaving an unsightly mess. We found that the Fiskars Weed Puller made light work of weeding, grabbing onto the tap root and efficiently removing it from the ground. A pedal at the base of the tool allowed us to push the Weed Puller into the ground and also lever the weed out smoothly, saving our arms the work. There is also the added benefit of an ejection system to drop the weed once pulled.
Deep-reaching stainless-steel claws
When attempting to remove weeds by hand, gardeners often end up leaving part of the tap root in the soil, meaning weeds can re-grow. The Weed Puller's four stainles-steel claws clamped round the root of the weed, where hands may struggle to reach. Grabbing it from multiple directions, when the claws were levered out of the ground the whole root came with them. A small, neat hole was left where the plant had been, keeping the lawn clear and tidy.
Reduces strain on your back
Made from stainless steel, the Weed Puller is light yet sturdy. Fitted with convenient features, such as the foot pedal and ejection system, the tool removes the need for any bending or straining often associated with pulling weeds by hand. There are two versions of the Weed Puller to choose from: the second model comes with the added benefit of a telescopic shaft, which can be adjusted to suit the height of the user. The downside to this telescopic version is the added cost, with the shaft and weed-puller head costing £56.98 - over £10 more than the standard version.
Our verdict
Overall, we found the Weed Puller comfortable and easy-to-use, but it is quite expensive. If dandelions or other tap-rooted weeds are a real problem in your garden this is a worthwhile investment, saving strain on your back and arms.
- Read our lawn care review for more on lawn feeds and weeds
- Read our first look on Roundup's new weedkiller gel.
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