Serious about maintaining your lawn? It could be time to invest in a few tools. This post lists 5 of the essential tools every lawncare enthusiast needs.
Lawnmower
A lawnmower is the most obvious tool you need for your lawn. When it comes to choosing a mower, you first need to choose between a gas lawnmower or an electric lawnmower. Most people nowadays buy an electric mower – although more expensive to buy than gas mowers, they are quieter and less polluting. These electric mowers are often cordless and use a rechargeable battery. Push-along mowers are the most popular style of mower. Some are self-propelled, which can take the hard work out of pushing them. Ride-on mowers and robot lawn mowers are other types of mower to consider. This post offers a guide as to how often you should mow your lawn.
String trimmer
String trimmers are used to access areas where lawnmowers can’t get to such as edges of fencing or around the edge of a plant pot. Also known as a weed whacker, these tools use a rapidly spinning line of cord to cut grass and weeds. Some are attached to a cable while others are cordless and run off a battery. It’s worth using your trimmer every time after you’ve mown your lawn.
Aerator
Lawns with hard or clay soil can benefit from being aerated at least once per year. Aeration involves creating lots of small holes in the soil of your lawn. This helps air and water to more easily reach the roots. You can use a garden fork to aerate your lawn, however there are several specialist aeration tools that can make this task easier. This includes rolling lawn aerators (these consist of a roller covered in small spikes attached to a long pole) and aerator shoes (these are boots with spikes on the bottom). Make sure to aerate your lawn every spring and during periods of drought when soil gets hard.
Hose/sprinklers
When it comes to watering your lawn, there are two main options: use a hosepipe or install sprinklers. A hosepipe may be all you need in a small lawn and allows you to manually ensure every inch of your lawn gets watered. Sprinklers can meanwhile be programmed to automatically water your lawn during certain times, which can be useful if you lead a busy life. The best time to water your lawn is either early in the morning or in the evening when the sun is very low in the sky. This allows water to soak into your lawn instead of instantly evaporating.
Leaf blower
In fall, many lawns get coated in leaves. This layer of leaves can interfere with the growth of your lawn. This is why it’s worth buying a tool to clear these leaves. Rakes are the cheapest tool for the job, but also the most labor-intensive. A leaf blower will make short work of these leaves and is highly recommended on larger lawns. Most leaf blowers nowadays are electric and are cordless. Take the time to compare models online.