To save time and effort, every gardener, or homeoener for that matter, should invest in a few essential tools that will keep their landscape maintenance stress-free and enjoyable.
Here are some great basics to have:
1. Shovel: A shovel is necessary for planting trees, big digging jobs and moving dirt or gravel. Pick one with a concave blade that is slightly pointed at the end.
2. Hedge Clippers / Pruning Shears: A good pair of hedge clippers or shears is great for deadheading flowers, maintaining size, and keeping plants healthy and neat. Longer pruning blades will remove dead limbs from trees. Good quality is important.
3. Lawnmower: This may go without saying, but a lawnmower is an essential tool in landscape maintenance. Lawn mowers come in many makes and varieties. The best model can depend on the size of your lawn, your needs and budget.
4. Wheelbarrow: A wheelbarrow saves time and effort and prevents back injury. It can be used to transport soil, sod, flowers, plants, garden pots, mulch, fertilizer, and heavy landscaping tools.
5. Garden Trowel: Garden trowels can be used to dig small holes for planting new flowers and small trees or to uproot weeds. They can also divide and dig up plants to move them to another location.
6. Rake: Rakes are great for fall leaves, but can also be used when mowing your lawn, weeding your garden or for faster cleanup of leaves, pine needles, grass, or other yard debris.
7. Hoe: Garden hoes are generally used in weeding, cultivation, and preparing new soil for seeding or planting. They are great for use in vegetable gardens and for preparing garden beds.
8. Irrigation System: An irrigation system is an often necessary tool. There are several varieties, so consider the size of your lawn and the location of your plants and trees before choosing one.
9. Multi-Setting Hose Attachment: This tool allows you to efficiently water your plants with different pressure levels. You will be able to deliver a fine spray to fragile seedlings and drench a large planter or thirsty shrub with the same tool.
10. Edger/ Trimmer: An edger /trimmer combination is useful in creating a neat border around your lawn and allows you to keep all areas of your lawn evenly cut.
