Lawn and Garden Tools You Can’t Live Without

Less than 200 years ago, grass was trimmed using a scythe. And most people didn’t see the need to cut the grass back then. Landscaping has progressed considerably since that time. When it comes to proper maintenance of your patch of grass, there is a huge assortment of lawn and garden tools that will make the job so much easier.

If you have a lawn, you unquestionably need a lawnmower. It’s a strange concept that your lawn has to be ruthlessly chopped off in order to thrive; nevertheless, that’s the way it is. A lawnmower will likely be your most expensive purchase when it comes to lawn care. But if you tend to it well, it will provide you with many years of good service.

Unfortunately, a lawnmower alone won’t keep your yard trim. You’ll also need a lawn trimmer for hard to reach places. One option is the standard clippers that resemble oversized scissors, which are also used as hedge trimmers. Or you can purchase an electric trimmer which utilizes a piece of plastic string to mow down stray clumps of grass. This string rotates at an extremely high speed. It’s not only strong enough to cut grass, it can also injure your body, so use caution.

Another piece of equipment you’ll need is a spreader. They are useful for the even distribution of granular products such as fertilizer, weed killer and grass seed. Some spreaders look like a tub on wheels. They have small holes that distribute the product as you push it along. Alternatively, you can get a hand held unit. This is most often a boxy plastic cup that, when you turn its handle, empties its contents onto the lawn below. These are appropriate for smaller areas that might need a little reseeding or spot fertilizing.

A rake is essential for gathering up the fallen leaves in the autumn. If you don’t rake them, these leaves might cause damage to your lawn over the winter. In the springtime, as the snow starts to melt, your grass will be suffocated and dehydrated by this covering of leaves.

You will discover that even though you carefully raked your leaves last fall, the grass has still become compressed throughout the winter. This thatching effect will prevent oxygen and other essential nutrients from working their way into the soil. Reviving the thatched grass is yet another task for your rake.

Shovels are also important tools to have around. A shovel with a narrow head is good for attacking clumps of weeds. For moving soil and digging plants, you’ll need a good sized square or rounded shovel. Actually, you’ll find this tool useful for a wide variety of backyard activities.

Purchase the highest quality equipment you can and take good care of it. This will make your lawn care much more enjoyable. You’ll also be the envy of your neighbors.