Weeding tools are part of the solution. It's no secret that removing difficult weeds consistently ranks as most individual's least favorite gardening chore. But there is good news in the battle over weeds: Homeowners tired of spending backbreaking hours in the garden pulling dandelions can rest a little easier thanks to proven procedures, clever tips and innovative weeding tools. Here are some bits of wisdom from garden and lawn experts designed to make killing weeds and prevention less of a pain, such as:

Build up the lawn. Cultivating a strong lawn is one of the simplest ways to crowd out weeds. Dandelions and other common broadleaf weeds can't keep up with vigorously growing grass plants. The healthier and more lush your grass is, there will be less room for weeds.

Develop the dirt. Conditioning the soil is an easy way to cut down on weeds -- and make the ones that do sprout up easier to pull. Using peat moss is a really effective technique of getting the soil into shape. Sprinkle a thin layer of peat moss over the lawn and lightly spread it around with a rake. This procedure, referred to as "top dressing," gradually conditions the lawn over the duration of the season so it's more resistant to disease and thatch - and helps keep weeds from growing. Peat moss also reduces the quantity of fertilizer and water a lawn needs. It's also a good addition to the garden. Till two inches of peat moss into the top half a foot of soil to help loosen the dirt and make it easier to extract weeds.

Aerate. Many weeds grow after the dirt has gotten compacted. You can reduce the probability of weeds taking over a compacted area by using an aerator, a garden tool that removes small plugs out of the ground and allows water and air to reach grass roots in frequently walk on areas. If you have a large garden, consider renting a power aerator. They can be expensive, though, so it might be cheaper to gather a group of neighbors to rent one together. For small garden or isolated problem areas, a manual aerator that removes plugs as you step is a good choice.

Watch the calendar. Spend some time weeding in the autumn, before the lawn goes dormant, and you'll gain the rewards by the spring. And once the weather turns warmer, make sure to go after weeds before they go to seed and pop up everywhere in the yard.

Wait until it's wet. Pull weeds after the soil is damp Don't bother trying to yank weeds out of dry turf. It is much easier to pull weeds after a light rain, when the soil is moist.

Use the correct weeding tools. Remove dandelions and other broadleaf weeds with an easy-to-use weeding tool that doesn't require you to bend or stoop. The Rocket Weeder from Yard Butler (www.yardbutlerstore.com ) is a wonderful way to pull a large quantity of weeds without getting your hands dirty - or damaging grass or nearby plants. You just position the jaws over the middle of the weed and step down on the foot pedal, lean the tool backwards, and press the ejector button to drop the weed into bag or bucket. Other garden tools have come a long way since the "good old days" of tiny weed removing forks, as well: A stand-up Twist Tiller can accomplish much by breaking up packed soil, and a Rotary Cultivator is an easy way to weed between rows of plants.

Dig deeply. Make sure to get every little bit of any of the weed. If you can't get all of the root, the weed may just grow back.