Crabgrass is one of the most annoying weeds that affect lawns. It can grow on any soil, choking your turf once it spreads.
It also produces many seeds, which can remain dormant in the ground for a long time before sprouting. Therefore, controlling crabgrass from your lawn, yard, or garden is important before it becomes a nightmare.
There are several ways you can control crabgrass.
If you are looking to eliminate crabgrass without harming the lawn, the best method is to pull it from the ground. The plant’s roots are shallow and form clumps, so you can easily pull them out.
First, however, you need a crabgrass removal tool, which can dig into the ground, allowing you to remove the entire plant and prevent regrowth.
3 best crabgrass removal tools
These are some of the best tools to remove crabgrass from your lawn:
1. Grampa’s weeder
Do you hate squatting or bending when pulling weeds from your garden, yard, or lawn? Then Grampa’s weeder is the perfect weed removal tool for you.
It is a long-handled weed puller, which allows for effortless removal of weeds from the ground, hence the name.
But does Grampa’s weeder work on crabgrass? The weed removal tool has an open claw at the end, which you push into the ground where the weeds grow with the help of a foot lever.
Once the claw is in the ground, you lean it sideways and pull it out to remove the weeds from the root. It is thus the perfect weed removal tool for the shallow clumping roots of the crabgrass.
A few more things make Grampa’s weeder an excellent weeding tool.
To start with, it is a brilliant but simple design, which allows for effortless and effective pulling of weeds from the ground, thus eliminating the need for using chemicals.
Secondly, Grampa’s weeder is very sturdy and robust. The handle is strong bamboo wood that can withstand pressure when pushing and pulling weeds from the ground.
The metal claw is also made using durable steel and powder-coated to prevent rusting and guarantee longevity.
Pros
- It effectively pulls weeds, including crabgrass, from the ground.
- It has a simple and easy-to-use design.
- Removing weeds from the ground is very easy without applying too much effort.
- It has a very sturdy and durable design
Cons
- It does not have an ejection mechanism, and you must remove the weeds from the claw by hand.
Grampa’s weeder is one of the best tools to dig out crabgrass and other pesky weeds from your lawn, yard, and garden if you don’t like constantly bending, squatting, or kneeling.
It also features on our list of 15 best weed removal tools.
2. Walensee standup weed puller
Are you looking for a robust weed puller that can easily remove all types of weeds from any ground? Then you might want to consider the Walensee weed puller.
The Walensee weed puller is a long-handle weed digging tool, which comes with a 39″ long handle, which allows you to pull weeds without bending.
It also comes with sharp steel claws, which dig deep into the ground, grabbing the weeds you want to remove from the roots.
The Walensee Weed puller has two unique features that make using it a breeze. The first is the foot pedal, which allows you to apply maximum pressure when pushing the weeder into the ground.
The other is the T-handle lever at the top, which lets you drive the claws, twist, and pull them for easier and more effective removal of the weeds.
Even better, it is made from resin plastic on the handle. The claws are made from stainless steel.
The claws are strong enough to handle tough weeds and soil, while the resin plastic can withstand the stress of pushing and pulling it from the ground.
Pros
- The foot pedal allows you to push the weeder to the ground easily.
- Its twist and pull lever allows you to remove the weeds effortless
- The steel claws are robust and can reach deep into the ground in different earth soils.
Cons
- While the weeder is easy to use, the twist and pull action of the lever at the top might be a little bit problematic to some people in the initial days.
Walensee Weed Puller is easy to use. It is also an effective weed puller, perfect for removing dead or live crabgrass and other weeds in your lawn, garden, or yard.
3. Betus manual hand weeder
The Betus manual hand weeder is a great option if you want a weed removal tool that will pull out every part of the crabgrass (or other weeds) growing on your lawn, yard, or garden.
Betus manual hand weeder is not a standing weed puller, so you must bend, squat, or knee as you work. However, it is very effective at pulling out weeds.
It comes with a sharp V-shaped claw, penetrating deep into the soil and grabbing the entire weed from the roots, thus ensuring you pull out everything.
Another thing you will love with the Betus manual hand weeder is the curved leverage design, which allows you to quickly and effortlessly pull out the weeds.
Lastly, the weed puller is sturdy and made from stainless steel that is bend-proof and rust-resistant.
Pros
- A simple-to-use leverage design that makes weeding simple and fun
- Stainless steel design that is incredibly durable
- The sharp claw digs deep into the ground, allowing you to remove every part of the weed.
Cons
- It is not a standing weed puller, thus might require a bit much more effort.
Betus manual hand weeder is super easy to use and very effective at removing even the deeply rooted weeds, making it an ideal crabgrass weed puller.
What kills crabgrass the fastest?
While pulling out crabgrass from the ground is an effective way to control the weed, it does require some work. Therefore, it can be pretty tiring if you are dealing with a large infestation.
So, which is the fastest way to kill crabgrass?
Chemical herbicides are the most effective way of killing crabgrass. However, there are several pre-emergent herbicides that you can use that will kill the weed as soon as it starts sprouting.
An example includes Quali-Pro Prodiamine, a highly effective crabgrass preventer. Another chemical herbicide you can use is Tenacity for Turf, which works as both pre and post-emergent herbicide for crabgrass control.
What to look for in a crabgrass removal tool
There are several things you can consider when looking to purchase a crabgrass removal tool. One of them is a long handle if you don’t like bending or have issues with a back strain. However, if you don’t mind getting tired, you can go for a digging tool with a short handle.
Another vital factor to consider when looking for a crabgrass removal tool is the claw(s). Digging into the ground and easily pulling out the weed should be sturdy.
It should also be designed to grab the clumped roots of the crabgrass, allowing you to remove the weed completely.
Can you remove crabgrass by hand?
You could pull out crabgrass by your hands, especially with young plants, and if the soil is not too harsh. However, using a digging tool is much easier and more effective.
These tools can penetrate deep enough into the ground, especially where the soil is tough. They also come with various claw designs that make it easy to grab the roots and pull out the entire plant.
Conclusion
Dealing with a crabgrass invasion on your lawn, yard, or garden can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are a few ways to control the infestation, chemical herbicides being the easiest and fastest.
However, if you don’t mind getting dirty or even find manual weed pulling therapeutic, the above are some of the best crabgrass removal tools that you might consider in removing this weed from your property.
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Carla is a student pursuing a B.S in Agricultural Systems Technology. With a passion for landscaping for over 4 years, Carla loves plants. She has previously contributed to several other sites in the space before joining InsightWeeds.