Fall Weeding Guide: Why Autumn Is the Best Time to Pull Weeds (Roots and All)
Most people put their weeding tools away when the leaves start to turn. At Grampa's Gardenware, we think that's a mistake. Fall is one of the best times of the year to pull weeds, and a little work in September and October means a lot fewer weeds when spring comes around.
Why fall is the best time to pull weeds
- Soft, moist soil. Fall rain loosens the ground, so deep taproots like dandelions slide out whole instead of snapping off.
- Weeds are storing up for winter. Perennial weeds like dandelions, plantain and thistle push their energy down into their roots in autumn. Pull the whole root now and that plant won't be back in spring.
- Stop next year's seeds. Every weed you remove before it drops seed is one less crop of weeds next year.
- Catch the fall sprouters. Cool-season weeds like chickweed and henbit sprout in fall. They're small and easy to pull now.
How to pull weeds by the root without bending over
Grampa's Weeder is the original stand-up weed puller, and the design has been around since 1913. It pulls weeds out by the root with no bending, no kneeling and no chemicals:
- Center the four steel claws right over the middle of the weed.
- Press the claws into the ground with your foot on the footpad.
- Lean the handle back. The claws grab the root and the weed pops out, roots and all.
That's it. You stay standing the whole time, which makes it easy to clear a whole lawn in one afternoon. New to stand-up weeders? Our guide on choosing the right weed puller walks you through it.
Our best fall weeding tips
- Weed the day after a rain, or water the area first. One of our customers put it best: "Tip water the weeds 1st to make it easy for the roots to lift in deep soil."
- Go for the big ones first. Dandelions, thistle and other deep-rooted weeds are the ones that come back if you leave the root behind. A stand up weed puller grabs the whole taproot.
- Fill the holes. Tap the soil back in, or sprinkle a little grass seed in lawn spots so new weeds don't move in.
- Don't forget the flower beds. For tight spots between plants, a hand weeder gets the roots without disturbing your flowers. For loosening soil and edging, try the Garden Hook.
- Skip the chemicals. Pulling weeds by the root is the simplest chemical-free weed control there is.
Wood or metal?
Our Original Weeder has a real bamboo handle and a heavy-duty steel 4-claw head. Want something even tougher for clay soil and stubborn weeds? The Grampa's Metal Weeder is all steel, comes in black or green, and has a lifetime guarantee.
Fall garden cleanup checklist
- Pull perennial weeds (roots and all) before the ground freezes
- Rake leaves off the lawn
- Plant spring bulbs. A hori hori garden knife makes quick work of bulb holes
- Wear a garden apron with pockets to keep gloves, seed packets and bulbs handy
- Clean the dirt off your tools and store them somewhere dry for winter
Where to get Grampa's tools
Shop the whole lineup at grampasweeder.com, or find us on Amazon:
- Grampa's Weeder (Original) on Amazon
- Grampa's Metal Weeder on Amazon
- Grampa's Hand Weeder on Amazon
- Grampa's Garden Knife on Amazon
A little weeding this fall is a gift to your spring garden. Happy weeding! 🌱
Grampa's Gardenware Co. is a family-run business from Oregon. We started in 1999 out of our garage, and we still make the same simple stand-up weeder design from 1913.