If you're a new homeowner, chances are you need a trip to the hardware store to stock up on yard tools for lawn and garden care. Where do you start?
If you're a new homeowner, chances are you need a trip to the hardware store to stock up on tools for lawn and garden care. It seems there's a gadget for every purpose, some quite specialized, and it's tough to know where to start. What are the most important things that you'll need right away, and which items can you wait to add later?
The biggest investment may be the lawn mower. Depending on the size of your property, you may prefer a riding mower. But if you have a half acre or less to maintain, a push mower will do the job just fine. If you have a small yard, a manual reel mower may be practical too, though they can be hard to find. Whichever you choose, keep the blades sharp, and proper care and cleaning will extend its life.
After the lawn is mowed, you'll need to trim around the edges. Gas and electric powered trimmers are available, but the gas trimmer will allow more freedom of movement. Careful landscaping can minimize the need to trim by eliminating areas the lawn mower won't reach, but you'll probably need one anyway. Trimmers can serve double duty as a sidewalk edger, too, though the result won't look quite as neat. A broadcast spreader is invaluable for fertilizing and seeding. And of course, the approach of fall will signal the need to purchase a rake. A wheelbarrow is also an important addition.
Trees and bushes will need to be pruned, and hedges will need trimming. You'll need a hand pruner for keeping bushes neat and healthy, and a lopper for cutting bigger branches. If you have hedges, you'll need a hedge shear for keeping them trimmed. Trees usually require pruning at some point, often quite high. You can either purchase a tree pruner, climb up on a ladder with a saw, or call the professionals when these jobs need to be done. If money is short, these items can be purchased inexpensively - but an investment in quality tools will pay off in the long run and make the work easier.
Most homeowners will want to add new plants to dress up the home's appearance. For basic gardening, the list of necessary tools is short. You'll want a shovel for digging large holes and cultivating existing landscape beds, a hand trowel to dig holes for small plants, and a hand cultivator for loosening the soil in small areas. Weeders may not be necessary if adequate mulch is used, and weeds can easily be kept in check in small areas by hand pulling.
Once these basic items are obtained, you may consider additional purchases for specific needs. If disposing of yard waste is a problem, you may want to invest in a chipper to grind small branches into mulch, or a leaf shredder to help compact autumn leaves and hasten their decomposition. If you have a lot of hedges, you may want a power hedge trimmer to save time. Gardeners will find a wide range of options to till, cultivate, and weed the beds.
It's best to start out with a few basic items, and live with them a while to determine any additional needs. Keep in mind that the more tools you purchase, the bigger the storage area that will be needed - and sheds are expensive. Weigh the added convenience by having a specialized tool against the expense and inconvenience of storing it. Buy quality tools instead of inexpensive ones that won't last long, if you can afford it, and keep them well maintained to extend their life. You'll find that with a few basic tools and pride in your home's appearance, your yard will look great.
