The Weeds You’ll Regret Ignoring: Town & Country Reveals the Garden Invaders to Tackle Before They Take Over
As summer gardens reach peak growth, weeds can quickly go from a minor nuisance to a much bigger problem. Persistent varieties such as bindweed, horsetail, nettles and brambles are best tackled early, before they have a chance to establish and spread.
With more than 50 years of expertise in hand protection, Town & Country is highlighting the importance of choosing the right gloves for the job. From lightweight, dextrous gloves for delicate weeding to tougher styles for thorns and stings, the right protection can make it easier to tackle different weeds safely and effectively.
Bindweed: tackle the roots before it takes over
Bindweed can be notoriously difficult to control once established, so gardeners should avoid simply chopping through the plant and instead carefully fork out as much of the root system as possible. Where this isn't practical, repeatedly pulling or cutting new growth can help weaken the plant over time. Any roots and stems should be kept out of the home compost heap.
The glove: Town & Country’s Weedmaster Bamboo is a good choice for bindweed, offering the flexibility and dexterity needed to work carefully around borders while repeatedly pulling out stems and tackling smaller sections of root.
Horsetail: persistence is key
With its extensive underground rhizomes, horsetail can be particularly persistent. Pull or cut new shoots as soon as they appear to gradually weaken the plant, and where practical, use a hand or border fork to remove as much of the rhizome system as possible.
The glove: The Weedmaster Plus is designed specifically for weeding and combines dexterity and control with good protection, making it well suited to the repeated pulling and handling involved in tackling horsetail.
Nettles: protect against the sting
Young nettles can be pulled or forked out, while established clumps are best tackled with a border fork. For larger patches, repeatedly cutting new growth can help weaken plants over time. If nettles are flowering, remove the flowering growth before it has a chance to produce seed.
The glove: This is one job where extra coverage matters. Town & Country’s Dragonfly Gauntlet extends up the forearm, providing additional protection when reaching into dense patches of nettles.
Brambles: don’t underestimate the thorns
For established brambles, cut the stems back before using a sharp spade or border fork to remove the main stump and as much of the root system as possible. Keep checking for regrowth and remove new shoots promptly. Gardeners should always check carefully for nesting birds before cutting back brambles.
The glove: Lightweight weeding gloves aren't up to the job here. The Artisan All Leather Gloves provide robust protection and is better suited to handling thorny stems and tougher clearing work, helping protect hands when tackling mature bramble growth.
Annual weeds: weed before they seed
Annual weeds such as chickweed, groundsel and shepherd’s-purse can go from tiny seedlings to flowering and producing seed surprisingly quickly. The golden rule is simple: weed before they seed. Pull young weeds from loose soil or hoe them just below the surface on a dry day, and remove flowering weeds before seed heads mature.
The glove: For these smaller, more delicate weeding jobs, the Master Gardener Lite is a lightweight option designed for gardeners who need flexibility and a good sense of touch, making it well suited to removing small weeds around established plants.
Match the glove to the weed
“Not all weeds are created equal, and neither should your gardening gloves be,” says Mark Hewett (Commercial Product Manager) at Town & Country. “A small annual weed needs a very different approach to a mature bramble or a patch of stinging nettles. Choosing the right gloves for the job is essential, giving you the protection and confidence to tackle each weed effectively, from pulling persistent roots to clearing thorny growth.”