For those of you who do their own home landscaping, as with any profession, the right tools are important. To save money on the expenses associated with having an attractive landscape, it is important to have the right tools. By having some of the most common tools used for basic landscaping needs, you can accomplish most of the work required for maintaining your yard and enhancing your landscape.
Shovels and Rakes
These are the most basic of tools needed for landscaping. Every home should be equipped with these basic implements. They make just about every landscaping task possible. Shovels are used to remove sod and turn soil, as well as dig the holes necessary for planting trees and shrubs, Rakes are used to smooth out planting beds and prepare ground for things like sod without packing the dirt. Trowels and hand cultivators allow you to work in small areas that require more attention to detail such as digging small holes when planting a flower bed. The tools in this group are necessary for caring for, and improving any landscape.
Pruners and Hedge Shears
These tools are used to improve the appearance of shrubs and trees. Their use helps keep plants from encroaching in other areas, and also to promote the overall health of the plants by removing dead material and allowing you to shape the plant as desired. There are hand pruners, tools that enable you to cut the smaller branches and are easier to use, loppers for getting thicker branches that are to large for pruners, and even pruning saws that can help you with the toughest of branches. Hedge shears are essentially large scissors and provide a way for hedges to be trimmed evenly faster than with pruners.
Lawnmower
This is one of the most common, and most obvious, of landscaping tools. It is used to keep the grass at a reasonable height, and to keep the lawn neat and healthy. Since mowing the lawn is something that you do frequently, choose a lawnmower that is easy to operate so that mowing the lawn is less of a chore. Along with owning a lawnmower, you might consider purchasing a weed wacker, which is useful in keeping edges that can’t be cut by a mower nice and neat.
Wheelbarrow
A wheelbarrow is an indispensable tool for the home landscaper. Wheelbarrows are very useful for moving heavy items to their proper places. They enable you to haul dirt and bring in plants. They make it possible to for one person to carry a load that otherwise she or he would not be able to manage. When shopping for a wheelbarrow, look for one with an inflatable tire. It will be easier to push and handles uneven ground better.
Other Tools
As you work on your landscape plan and maintenance, you will undoubtedly have the need for tools you don’t have. Other tools that you will commonly need are things like weed pullers, bulb hole diggers, and fertilizer spreaders. Some tools are inexpensive and worth buying while others such as a post hole digger is something that you may use only once, and renting that might be a better idea. Other tools you will probably use are normal household tools like tape measure and hammer.
Conclusion
Once you have the tools necessary to take care of your landscape, they will make your work easier. Owning the most common tools can also save you money in the long run, as they can be used over and over again. Many of the more common landscape tools are fairly small in size and easy to store in the garage or shed. Find a way to organize them so they are easy to get to when needed, and easy to find. Proper maintenance of your tools is also important. Keep them from becoming rusty, and make sure your lawnmower and other gas or electric tools are well maintained. Proper care of your tools assures that you will be able to properly care for your landscape.
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