As much as you might want to have a gorgeous garden and an outdoor oasis to enjoy lounging in, looking at, and perhaps even entertaining guests, a lot of people tend to underestimate just how much work has to go into taking care of that space. This is especially true when it’s growing strong in the summer, and then leaves a lot to tidy in the fall. If you feel like you’re being overwhelmed and overmatched by your garden, here are a few tools that can help you get back in control much more easily.
The Right Lawnmower
A well-maintained lawnmower is one of the most useful tools in your entire gardening arsenal, especially during peak growing seasons. While a push mower might be fine for a smaller lawn, it can soon become tedious and tiring if you have a much larger area. In that case, a self-propelled model can help you save a lot of time and energy. Make sure that you choose a mower with a bagging option attached so that you don’t have to rake the clippings after. Alternatively, consider a mower with mulching capabilities, so clippings return as nutrients to the soil instead of becoming waste. The right mower helps you finish faster and leaves your lawn looking consistently fresh.
Leaf Blower
From leaves to grass clipping and light debris from your lawns, patios, and driveways, there’s going to be a lot to clean up over the gardening-heavy months of the year. If you’re going to tackle it manually with a brush and a rake, it can take literal hours to clean up the falling leaves of one tree; even more, if you have bushes that you need to trim once or twice a year. With the help of a leaf blower, you can cover large areas in mere minutes. Many models also offer vacuum or mulching functions, which means fewer trips to the compost bin. Cordless options are great for mobility, while corded ones are lighter and quieter. Leaf blowers don’t just save you time; they can make it much easier to keep the garden looking fresh and presentable.
String Trimmer
Even when you’re done mowing, a neat lawn is going to require you to be able to tidy up those edges and tight spaces, as well. This is where a string trimmer can come in handy. They can easily reach areas that a mower can’t, like those around trees, fences, flower beds, and walkways. What your trimmer can handle depends on the power source and string thickness. If you want to use it to trim bushes and thick weeds, then you might need to opt for gas models, while battery-powered types tend to handle most regular gardening needs effectively. Regular trimming not only improves the appearance of your yard but also prevents invasive plants from spreading.
Garden Carts Or Wheel Barrows
When you do your garden cleanup, you might find yourself shifting a lot of organic matter. From leaves to branches, mulch, and even soil and rocks, carrying those heavy loads can get tiring very quickly. A garden cart or wheelbarrow can help you consolidate the job, making it not only much quicker and less taxing but also helping you avoid the risk of injuring yourself while gardening, as well. A well-balanced design reduces strain on your back, and pneumatic tires make it easy to move over uneven terrain. By transporting larger volumes in one go, you’ll save both time and energy. From pruning and cleaning up to preparing a new planting area, a good garden cart or wheelbarrow can streamline a lot of your garden work.
A Good Rake
While some of the tools above might be great for helping you avoid manual labor, sometimes you’re going to need a good rake. Precision control is important for areas where a leaf blower might make more of a mess, such as with your mulch or around delicate plants. To that end, opt for a wide, flexible leaf rake for general cleanup, or a sturdy steel garden rake for heavier debris like gravel or damp leaves. An ergonomic handle will reduce strain during longer sessions. A rake can be vital for the final touches that make sure there are no stand-out bits of mess in the garden, even if they’re not your main tool anymore.
A Sprinkler System
While many of the tools above focus on the tasks of cleaning up the garden during those peak growing seasons, being able to actually help it grow is important, as well. To that end, rather than having to take out the hose yourself, having a sprinkler system can save a ton of time. This is especially true of smart sprinkler systems, which can combine with things like rain and temperature sensors to only water the garden when it’s likely to need it. What’s more, after leaf collection or mulching, a quick watering helps settle dust and debris, giving the yard a cleaner, more finished look. Some homeowners also use sprinklers to loosen compacted soil or soften dirt patches before reseeding, making post-cleanup maintenance more effective.
Pruning Shears
If you’re having a tough time dealing with overgrown shrubs and small trees, and your string trimmer alone isn’t going to cut it, then you might want to make use of some handheld pruning shears or long-handled loppers. Sharp blades make clean cuts that promote healthy regrowth and prevent disease. Regular pruning not only improves curb appeal but also reduces the amount of fallen branches and plant litter you’ll have to clean later. If you have large trees or bushes, these sheers may take a little too long to work over them all, requiring the use of a real trimmer. However, if you’re not confident about working safely with such heavy-duty machinery, it might be best to leave that to the pros.
The bigger your garden, the more care it’s going to take. The tools above won’t take care of it for you, but they can greatly reduce how much time you have to spend working out there.
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