I'm looking for something to remove dandelions from a lawn without having to
use Chemicals. I've seen the Wolf Weed Extractor
http://www.wolftools.co.uk/fulldetail.asp?ID=IWA
and it's exactly what I'm after, although this article
http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/p...weed_extractor
says that it leaves large holes in your lawn.

Is it possible to use one on a lawn without this happening? Or do you know
of a similar tool that works in the same way that doesn't make such a large
hole?

Thanks

--
Aidan Whitehall
Macromedia ColdFusion Developer
Fairbanks Environmental Ltd +44 (0)1695 51775

"Aidan Whitehall" wrote in message
...
I'm looking for something to remove dandelions from a lawn without having
to
use Chemicals. I've seen the Wolf Weed Extractor
http://www.wolftools.co.uk/fulldetail.asp?ID=IWA
and it's exactly what I'm after, although this article

http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/p...weed_extractor
says that it leaves large holes in your lawn.


I don't know about the Wolf one specifically, but I thought the idea with
these tools is that you pull out a "plug" containing the weed and push it
back into the hole upside down. This doesn't leave an actual hole in your
lawn, but of course it leaves a small patch of bare soil which hopefully
grasses over before any more weeds land there.

I used this type of tool in our old house - it was quite effective but the
lawn was just too far gone so I ran out of patience. It is probably quite
good if you catch things early. I put down a new lawn in the new house and
so far I haven't needed the tool again. No doubt I will.

====================
www.SeriouslySpicy.com
UK Online Spice Shop

"Aidan Whitehall" wrote in message
...
I'm looking for something to remove dandelions from a lawn without having
to
use Chemicals. I've seen the Wolf Weed Extractor
http://www.wolftools.co.uk/fulldetail.asp?ID=IWA
and it's exactly what I'm after, although this article

http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/p...weed_extractor
says that it leaves large holes in your lawn.

Is it possible to use one on a lawn without this happening? Or do you know
of a similar tool that works in the same way that doesn't make such a
large
hole?

Thanks

--
Aidan Whitehall
Macromedia ColdFusion Developer
Fairbanks Environmental Ltd +44 (0)1695 51775


I use a fork and lift the lawn to get out the whole dandelion root. Then
tread on the lawn to flatten it again. You can only do this when the lawn
is fairly damp though.

In message , Aidan Whitehall
writes
I'm looking for something to remove dandelions from a lawn without having to
use Chemicals. I've seen the Wolf Weed Extractor
http://www.wolftools.co.uk/fulldetail.asp?ID=IWA
and it's exactly what I'm after, although this article
http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/p...weed_extractor
says that it leaves large holes in your lawn.

Is it possible to use one on a lawn without this happening? Or do you know
of a similar tool that works in the same way that doesn't make such a large
hole?

I've always found a trowel does the job perfectly well.

I gather up the rosette of leaves, insert the blade vertically alongside
the route and wiggle to loosen the soil. Then, holding onto the rosette
I gently (so as not to snap the root) remove it and the trowel from the
ground. I find that minimal amounts of soil come out with the root and
that the cut (not hole) in the soil quickly closes.

--
dave @ stejonda

In message , "dave @ stejonda"
writes
the route

that's the route the root takes of course :-/

--
dave @ stejonda

Aidan Whitehall wrote:

I'm looking for something to remove dandelions from a lawn without having to
use Chemicals. I've seen the Wolf Weed Extractor
http://www.wolftools.co.uk/fulldetail.asp?ID=IWA
and it's exactly what I'm after, although this article
http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/p...weed_extractor
says that it leaves large holes in your lawn.

Is it possible to use one on a lawn without this happening? Or do you know
of a similar tool that works in the same way that doesn't make such a large
hole?

I use a sharp, pointed ex-kitchen knife. Grasp the base of the dandelion
as best you can (it can be difficult if it's small or has been
well-mown), then insert the knife into the soil an inch or two away from
the base of the plant and cut at a 45° angle sharply down and across
what you think is the line of the root. Aim to intersect the root about
1.5" or more below soil level. When you're reasonably certain you've cut
the root, twist, wiggle and pull the dandelion plus bit of root out of
the lawn. If you cut too close to the crown, then the root will always
send up new shoots: the further down you can sever the root, the more
likely you are to kill the plant. This leaves a very small hole plus the
bare bit of ground created by shade from the leaves... it's then a race
between other weeds and the grasses to cover the empty patch.

Oh, that I could find time to de-dandelion before the things get too
big! Perhaps today, before I cut the lawn. And I can do the anaerobic
thing with the bits I remove :-)


regards
sarah


--
"Great is truth, but still greater, from a practical point of view,
is silence about truth." Aldous Huxley

Is it possible to use one on a lawn without this happening? Or do you know
of a similar tool that works in the same way that doesn't make such a
large
hole?

Thanks to everyone for the information... very useful 8-)


--
Aidan Whitehall
Macromedia ColdFusion Developer
Fairbanks Environmental Ltd +44 (0)1695 51775

"Aidan Whitehall" wrote in message
...
Is it possible to use one on a lawn without this happening? Or do you
know
of a similar tool that works in the same way that doesn't make such a
large
hole?

Thanks to everyone for the information... very useful 8-)



Looks like I was the only one daft enough to buy one of these

I think I might need to dig it out of the garage after a couple of years of
not being needed. The new lawn does have the odd dandelion and thistle
popping up here and there. I will see how useful it is starting from a lawn
which isn't already beyond repair.

FWIW, I do think it is slightly easier than the other methods described
here. But whether it really justifies its existence is another matter.

====================
www.SeriouslySpicy.com
UK Online Spice Shop

Oh to have soil like that! Doesn't work in very heavy clay.

"dave @ stejonda" wrote in message
...
In message , Aidan Whitehall
writes
I'm looking for something to remove dandelions from a lawn without having
to
use Chemicals. I've seen the Wolf Weed Extractor
http://www.wolftools.co.uk/fulldetail.asp?ID=IWA
and it's exactly what I'm after, although this article

http://www.carryongardening.org.uk/p..._weed_extracto
r
says that it leaves large holes in your lawn.

Is it possible to use one on a lawn without this happening? Or do you
know
of a similar tool that works in the same way that doesn't make such a
large
hole?

I've always found a trowel does the job perfectly well.

I gather up the rosette of leaves, insert the blade vertically alongside
the route and wiggle to loosen the soil. Then, holding onto the rosette
I gently (so as not to snap the root) remove it and the trowel from the
ground. I find that minimal amounts of soil come out with the root and
that the cut (not hole) in the soil quickly closes.

--
dave @ stejonda