With generous rains this winter, weeds are thriving. It’s time to employ all the tools in the weed wars. Here are a few of my favorites. I keep most of these special tools in a box just inside the garage door so I can grab and go when I have some time.

Useful, artful, well-made, good hand feel—desirable qualities for any garden tool in my arsenal. This hand hoe checks off all those boxes. Though it’s about twenty years old, it’s easy to sharpen (and needs that now). I like it for all the reasons listed in the online description below:

A well-balanced and solid tool that feels light to work with—but it is surprisingly strong! The length plus the shape of the head makes it perfect for reaching the center of a raised bed. It's easy to work around and between plants and the sharp blade quickly cuts off weeds just below the surface. Turn the head 90 degrees to dig out deep rooted weeds or to carve a seed row.

Purchase a similar one from Garden Tool Co. or on Amazon. It comes in right- or left-handed versions. If you Google hand hoes you’ll find other types which may be more to your liking. Having the right tool makes weeding less onerous.

When I need to dig out a deep rooted weed, this is my tool of choice. It was designed specifically for weeding dandelions with their long tap root. This tool works well on any stubborn, deep-rooted weed. The narrow tip allows you to get into tight spaces without disturbing the surrounding plants. The long, strong steel shaft and v-shaped notch gives you the leverage needed to pry troublesome weeds from the ground.

Find a similar dandelion weeder at Garden Tool Co., Amazon or a local garden center.

Here’s the full army of my weed warrior tools.