Pierre ZFP Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Anybody got one of these?http://eng-uk.fiskars.com/Products/Lawn-care/Weeders/139920-Telescopic-Weed-PullerIf so, are they any good? They are not cheap and are made largely from plastic so I'm wondering if they are up to the job. I have other Fiskars gardening tools and I'm happy with the quality of these but would appreciate first hand views before I splash out on one.I thought I was getting on top of my Giant Hogweed problem after an awful lot of work and nearly eradicating them over the last 2 years - or so I thought.This weekend they were back worse than ever.The final straw is that after covering up and mowing/strimming/digging I'm exhausted and the beggers are still there, worse, despite my precautions I got some sap on my leg which rapidly blistered and is very painful.I'm still reluctant to use chemical methods even though all the advise I can find on the web seem to suggest glycophosphate for control hence one last try before I get some 'Agent Orange' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex H Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 If you get no joy here, put this "fiskars weed puller review" into GoogleAmazon buyers seem satisfied (no less than 3 stars - only 12 reviews though) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisb Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 They have them in stock at our local garden centre (near Bayeux) but I thought it looked very expensive and quite flimsy.A good review site is www.fredshed.co.uk but they don't seem to have covered this yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ViVienne Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 the ad on TV makes me laugh, they promote it like it's a pump action shotgun. Don't think it's any different to the other weeding tools on the market. I have one called speedy weedy, good for dandelions and backache Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
confused of chalus Posted May 10, 2011 Share Posted May 10, 2011 I was impressed by the ad but thought it would be very expensive (is it?) and as our 'lawn' is mostly dandelions and buttercups I need something. Last week I got a similar looking weeder from Lidl for 5.99 euros - it works well but unlike the Fiskars you have to put a bit of effort in to twist it into the ground. I'm doing about a dozen a day and should be finished in about 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Tender Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 I purchased a weed puller, all I can say is wow, it really helped me get rid of them pesky weeds in record time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fisherman Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 QVC had a weeder called grandpa's weeder. We bought one. Cast Iron head & strong wooden handle. A good tool & should last forever.Also cheaper than the one being discussed.Don't know if you could order it on the internet if in France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted May 16, 2011 Author Share Posted May 16, 2011 Thanks to all for the advice.I've looked at one of the Fiskars weeders now and while I think it is a good design in principle and probably OK for dandelions, I don't think it is up to the job of removing hogweed which I usually have to whack with a mattock to make it give up its grip on my 'lawn'. Also they are quite expensive I think.I'll have a look at 'Grandpa's Weeder' and similarThanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachapapa Posted May 30, 2011 Share Posted May 30, 2011 Fiskars seems a bit pricey; so it looks like I shall just continue using a "gouge à asperges" like most of the peasants autour de chez-moi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachapapa Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 My own "gouge à asperges" was picked up at a local vide-greniers for under a euro, it is similar to the image below but not so fancy as it was made in the gatine by a local artisan.It has wider knife more suited to weeds than asparagus and a larger diameter wooden handle to make levering easier.[IMG]http://www.outilgreen.com/images/outilgreen/products_image/0/360/big_949277924.jpg[/IMG] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pierre ZFP Posted May 31, 2011 Author Share Posted May 31, 2011 That looks similar, albeit more modern and shiney, to the one I have. Great for dandelions but the Hogweed has a much greater hold on the soil, hence whacking with a mattock! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pachapapa Posted May 31, 2011 Share Posted May 31, 2011 Hogweed! I thought it was easier to move house....or was that knotweed.[8-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salty Sam Posted June 1, 2011 Share Posted June 1, 2011 Pierre ZFP, the National Trust have adopted a procedure which is proving quite successful.Remove the flower heads before the seeds set, cut off the stalk fairly low down but with due regard for your own safety against the sap.An application of 'SBK Brushwood Killer' (or other triclopyr based residual weedkiller) into the hollow stem will permeate through to the roots, and kill without damaging the surrounding grass.Younger growths can be dug out with a ragwort fork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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