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Get rid of weeds and prepare your garden for the gardening season

As the sunny days have arrived, your garden will be springing into bloom. Together with the lovely vibrant colours come unwanted garden guests.

The best time to tackle weeds is now. Weeds first begin to rear their heads in spring, before they have fully matured. This makes spring the ideal time to start seeding, mowing and fertilising – in that order. Preventing weeds early in the season will save you more pain in the summer.

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Here are some tips from GARDENA on the best ways to remove weed and the efficient tools available for these tasks:

1. Traditional Hand pulling

Hand-pulling is one of the simplest ways of removing weeds and if you launch into action now, it now will make the job easier, as weaker roots make for lighter pulling.  What you will need is a weed removing tool and a good pair  gardening gloves, as the roots of the weeds will be weak and easy to remove. Simply dig out perennial weeds, like dandelions, with your fingers and make sure to include the bulb. Use the same method with annual weeds, such as chickweed, goosefoot or blackjack which should be caught before they fully seed.

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2. Hoeing

Hoeing is another viable method. Simply run your hoe over a soil bed or between rows of grass. This simple task is very effective at killing weed seedlings that has not germinate and is perfect for early to mid-spring before the weather gets consistently warm.  Hoeing on a dry day will be safe for the soil and prevent seedlings from drying out on the surface.  The GARDENA combisystem range of hoes and raking tools will help you get the job done quickly and effortlessly without straining your back.

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3. Lawn Weed

The most common method is to use weedkiller but this could damage the lawn and flower beds.  Weedkillers should be avoided where possible and manually removal is recommended.  The GARDENA Weed Puller has two blades that are designed to allows you to precisely extract weed from the lawn.  The specially designed handle allows you to rotate the tool, getting to the root of the weed and removing from the ground without straining your back.  Once the weed has been extracted, simply use the integrated trigger to release the weed to dispose efficiently.

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4. Lawn trimming

Very sunny weather conditions encourage the growth of weeds. GARDENA recommends that the lawn trimming should be medim height and not too short. This is because direct sunlight activates dormant weeds, causing them to expand.  Choose a lawnmower with different cutting heights, allowing you to cut grass depending on the lawn growth which will vary between Spring and Summer.  GARDENA offers a range of electrical and battery powered  lawnmowers designed with innovative features that cuts down on mowing time and grass clipping removal.

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5. Weeds between the pavers

Removing weeds between pavers can prove to be a frustrating task if you do not have the correct tools.  Use the GARDENA combisystem Patio Weeder to remove moss and weed between paving stones, paving joints and wall edges. The GARDENA combisystem allows for flexible use, thanks to the exchangeable attachments. The Patio Weeder is compatible with all handles of the GARDENA combisystem and can be mounted and secured with the handle. To work comfortably without bending over, you can easily remove the short handle and replace it with combisystem Extension Handle.The secure connection between weeder and handle ensures that you can always work comfortably. The ergonomically formed grip with integrated soft component fits optimal in your hand and is angled at the end, so you cannot slip. The sharpened, double-sided blade made from rust-proof, tempered steel is durable. It ensures that you achieve optimal results while removing moss and weed. The Patio Weeder is equipped with a blade protection for safe storage.

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GARDENA has been first to market with the combisystem range spanning over 40 years.  The ergonomically designed gardening products offer easy and comfort that all passionate gardeners can feel when using the tools. The combisystem and hand tool ranges are made in Germany and come with a warranty of up to 25 years.  For more information, visit www.gardena.com

Picture: Supplied

Also see: Tips from GARDENA for a thriving vegetable garden

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