Pull weeds root and all standing up, without kneeling in the dirt
Is this the right fit?
- Best for
- lawns with broadleaf weeds, gardeners with knee or back trouble, and anyone who has given up and started spraying
- Skip if
- In hard dry clay the claws struggle to penetrate, so you have to water the area first or wait for rain
- Check before ordering
- Confirm the dimensions, exact model, included parts and return terms on the Amazon listing before ordering.
Listing-based buying notes. We have not tested this product hands-on. Confirm the selected size, seller and current terms on Amazon.
Compare other backyard & outdoor living essentials →- Check Amazon for shipping eligibility
- Check the item's current return terms
- As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases
Grampa's Weeder is a 45 inch bamboo handled tool with four steel claws at the base and a foot pad above them. You set the claws over a weed, step down to drive them into the soil, then lever the handle back, and the claws close around the taproot and lift the whole plant out. Because it works by leverage rather than pulling, it gets dandelion and thistle roots that snap off when pulled by hand. No chemicals, no bending, no kneeling. The design has been in production since 1913 and is made by a small family company in Oregon. Best fit: lawns with broadleaf weeds, gardeners with knee or back trouble, and anyone who has given up and started spraying. It is less effective in hard dry clay, so water the area first.
Pros
- Four steel claws close around the taproot, so dandelions come out whole instead of snapping
- Foot pad and 45 inch handle mean no kneeling and no bending
- No chemicals, so it is safe around pets, kids, and vegetable beds
- Made by a small Oregon family company, in production since 1913
Cons
- In hard dry clay the claws struggle to penetrate, so you have to water the area first or wait for rain
Frequently asked questions
Does it really get the whole root?
On taprooted weeds like dandelion and thistle in reasonably soft soil, yes. That is the point of the claw design compared with pulling by hand.
How do you get the weed off the claws?
Push the lever forward and the claws open, dropping the weed. You do not have to touch it, which is part of why it stays fast.
Will it work in hard packed or clay soil?
Poorly when dry. Water the area or work the day after rain and it goes in far more easily. This is true of any claw style weeder.
Is it too heavy for someone with limited strength?
The work is done by stepping down and leveraging back rather than by pulling, so it takes body weight rather than arm strength. That is why it suits people with back and knee issues.
How is this different from the cheaper look alikes?
The claw steel and the handle attachment are the difference. The imitations tend to bend at the claw or loosen at the handle joint after a season.
More from this category
