Have A Yard Full Of Weeds? TikTok's Top 9 Tricks Will Help Whip Your Lawn Into Shape

Weeds can quickly usurp a yard and ruin the vision you have for it. Whether you've planted grass or plants, you likely have a clear idea of how you want your lawn to look and weeds will frustrate your efforts to achieve that. Luckily, there are many tricks on TikTok tested out by gardeners and homeowners like you who are always looking for how to deal with weeds. Tips like using a weed whacker to edge your lawn, using a kitchen fork when in a pinch, and working right to left when using a trimmer are just some of the things that can help whip your lawn into shape.

Dealing with weeds involves different methods. It helps to know the type you have, whether annual, biennial, or perennial, because that determines how persistent it is. You also need to know what removal method to use. Weeds can be pulled by hand, which allows you to be careful with your grass and plants — but there are other ways to get the job done. The top tricks we discuss in this piece involve manual and mechanical methods to remove weeds that will be easier and faster than hand-pulling.

One TikTok trick from @yvonnerearick0 is to take a crate with small holes in it and shovel some weedy soil into it. Fill up only about a third of the crate so that you have space for the vigorous shaking you're going to do. Then, shake the crate as hard as you can until all the soil falls out the holes and the clumps of weeds are left behind. This can be a much faster method because you won't have to pull out each weed one by one.

TikTok user @hansonrachel recommends the Nejiri Kama weeding sickle because of its shape and how it can bring out weeds from their roots. Another perk is that you can use it to clear the areas right around your plants without disturbing them. You can get it from Amazon for $17. We also found a left-handed version of it on Amazon for $38. Something to note with this trick is that users report that the tool isn't comfortable enough for long periods, so only work on one small area at a time.

Edging your lawn gives it a clean, sharp appearance. It also shows that it's cared for, which can boost your home's curb appeal. Weed whackers or strimmers are typically used to cut grass and weeds especially in those tight corners a lawnmower can't reach, but they can also be used to edge your lawn. The trick, as demonstrated by @justgarden, is to turn your weed whacker or strimmer upside down and run it along the edges to create that clean line. Don't have one? Consider the AiDot ENHULK String Trimmer.

Here's another weed whacker device to consider. To tackle weeds in your lawn and whip it into shape, use the RYOBI 40V Cordless Battery String Trimmer. It costs $130 at The Home Depot and comes with a battery and charger. TikToker @houseofesperanza likes the RYOBI 40V trimmer because it's battery-powered and it can do detailed work like addressing the spot right at a landscaping border without issues. As mentioned above, a trimmer like this also has the perk of being able to help with edging so you can keep your lawn looking sharp.

If you need something quick to uproot weeds, simply use a kitchen fork like @gardeningwithben. It will be the closest thing you can get to a handheld garden fork. A kitchen fork is helpful when dealing with tiny weeds that are tough to grab but also when you need to work really close to your plants. It allows you to get right in there, which is especially helpful if your lawn has seedlings because you shouldn't be too rough with the soil around them.

As you trim your lawn close to the edges, you might have the problem of the grass clippings spilling off the lawn and outside the border. To reduce this, @meyers.makes suggests working from right to left instead of the usual left to right so the clippings will end up on the side of the lawn. A positive with this is you don't even have to clean them up. A small amount of grass clippings can be left on your lawn, where they will eventually decompose and provide the grass with necessary nutrients.

You can also apply a natural weed killer, per @gabriela.harrisfam. Just mix plain salt, white vinegar, and dish soap in a spray bottle and spray it on the weeds on a sunny day. It is safe for you and your pets, but will kill the weeds and stop them from growing back. This mix affects the soil directly so we recommend only using it in areas where you don't need healthy soil — for instance, gravel lawns and hardscaping areas because you won't have to worry about growing plants or grass there.

Landscaping fabric or flattened cardboard boxes can also help if you have a gravel lawn. TikToker @spectersworld recommends installing either with holes cut out for any plants or shrubs. Having these materials on the ground will stifle and suffocate any weeds that try to grow out. However, this doesn't hold up well over time and is more of a temporary solution. If left for too long, weeds can eventually overtake the material and break through it. If you need something more long-term for your lawn, put down some organic mulch instead.

One of the most genius TikTok garden products you can find on Amazon is the CobraHead hand tool. Though it looks like a typical weeding tool, it is known for its ergonomic design which allows the handle to be held comfortably. With it, you can quickly work on small sections at a time, whether you're tackling weeds one by one or loosening up soil. It can be used as a companion to a long handle weeder, as seen in this TikTok by @heavenlyhillshomestead. The CobraHead garden hand tool costs $35 on Amazon.