Are you a new homeowner? While having your own home provides endless possibilities, it also requires some job to do. If you have a lawn to take care of, it becomes your responsibility right away. You have to get outside, plant flowers, bushes, and even trees, use a walk behind string trimmer, cut the grass, and kill the weeds to make it look gorgeous.

Although this is tough work from time to time, it is totally worth your efforts. An attractive lawn adds value to the house, while working outside grants you strong physical and mental health. Consider it as free-of-charge therapy sessions. You choose the way you want to decorate the lawn and can always change the design if you don’t like it.

Tools You Require

If you want to start working outside, you have to take some tools with you. There are some basic tools you may already have, and some specific ones you have to buy. Don’t worry, it is a beneficial investment since you will use these instruments for years.

1. Lawnmower

It is not the cheapest item on the list, but it is an essential one. A lawnmower is a must-have for everyone who has a lawn, no matter whether it is big or small. The grass grows so fast that you risk to run out of money by hiring a professional with his own tools. There are two types of lawnmowers, corded and cordless. Corded lawnmowers are usually powered by electricity and are less mobile. The cordless tools are mobile and powered by gas.

2. String trimmer

The spots you miss with the lawnmower can be taken care of with the string trimmer. It acts more accurately than a lawnmower and is necessary to have for owners of flowerbeds and bushes. You will be able to cut the grass under the trees and near the flowers without cutting them.

3. Leaf rake

Even if you already have a leaf blower, you may need this instrument in your collection. It is pretty affordable, does not require any additional knowledge, and its working speed depends directly on you. This tool is a classic measure against fallen leaves and old grass.

4. Soil rake

Soil rake is different from the leaf rake. It is also a hand tool with a wooden handle and spikes on the end, but it works miracles with airing the soil, evening the garden, and spreading the gravel. Make sure it is made of reliable materials.

5. Lawn spreader

You don’t have to buy a gigantic powerful machine that is attached to the tractor. All you need is a handheld spreader on durable wheels that can hold enough seeds or fertilizers for your lawn. There are lots of options on the market.

6. Snow shovel

If you live in a snowy climate, you have to buy a shovel to dig the snow. It helps to clean the road to your car. Unlike snow cleaning machines, the tool is totally environmentally friendly. Besides, it costs way cheaper.

7. Shovel

The shovel is the instrument you need to have at home. While this instrument is not new and was not significantly digitalized or even improved during the last years, you can still plant a tree, flower, or even grass with its help. The main benefit of this old-fashioned but still classy instrument is that you don’t need any electricity or power source to use it.

8. Knife for soil

You may not even know how much you need it before you decide to plant some flowers or loosen the soil. You will not be able to go through the big territory with it, but it is perfect for small activities. Soil knives can be used for getting rid of the weed with strong roots.

9. Double hand hoe

A hoe is a great option for dry soil. Consider it as a gigantic soil knife. A double hand hoe is a beneficial tool with a digger on one side and a hoe on the other. You will be able to remove weeds from the flowerbeds in no time.

10. Hand pruner

A sharp hand pruner can help to cut slim branches, shrubs, and leaves. It looks like the shears and is incredibly powerful. You will need it for your flowers as well. If you have a grapevine in your yard, this tool will be extremely handy to cut it when the time is right.

11. Lopper

If you don’t want to waste your hand pruner on the tree branches, you can buy a professional lopper. It has large blades and comfortable long handles. You will have to cut the branches once in a while to get rid of unreliable old branches.

12. Hedge shear

This tool is beneficial for hedge owners. If you don’t want to quarrel with your neighbors about the beauty of your hedge, you have to take care of it. This instrument is developed specifically for thick bushes and is simple in use. Make sure you use only sharp shear to avoid dangerous situations.

13. Hose

You can experiment with nozzle attachments using a simple hose. It is necessary for dry regions. You have to water the grass and soil to avoid over-drying. Check out the diameter of the hose and make sure it fits the tap before you order it. If you don’t want to stay outside for a long time, moving from one area to another, you can buy a sprinkler. Just make sure that the sprinkler is attached reliably to the water supply.

14. Gloves

Always wear gloves when you begin to work outside. It is a simple but important measure that provides safety to your hands. There are numerous small injuries you can avoid, including the cuts from the grass or even the wounds from spikes. Gloves cost almost nothing, but in the end, you will be able to work in your yard for as long as you want.

The Right Choice of Tools

Choosing the gardening tools is a simple and fast procedure if you know your demands. The first thing you have to think about is the size of your lawn. The second factor is the size of your budget. After that, think about the way you want to design your yard. Whether it will be a simple lawn with neatly cut grass or a masterpiece decorated with exquisite flowerbeds, you have to use reliable and proper tools for your work.

Use this list of the essential instruments to find out which tools you have to buy in the first place. You don’t need to buy all the instruments at once, since you may not need some of them for some time. Fill your shed with beneficial tools step by step and watch the progress on your own lawn. You don’t have to be a professional gardener or garden designer to achieve advanced results. All you need is to love what you do and to use the proper instruments in your work.

Having a Lawn around your office, home, or business gives it aesthetic value. Basically, a lawn is a refreshing space for leisure, entertainment, and companionship with friends and family. However, getting the best out of your relaxation spot requires routine cleaning and maintenance, and regardless of the kind of turf (natural or artificial), you need an edger to put it in good shape.

Most people confuse a lawn edger with trimmers, but both are different equipment and have different uses. A garden trimmer, as the name implies, is used to trim grass but an edging tool, on the other hand, is used to shape and tidy grass to prevent it from growing into your pathway or driveway. Check out this article from Gardening with Confidence for some of the lawn edgers you can find in the market.

A lawn edger makes it easier to maintain the limits and borders of your garden. As a result, you will be able to do your gardening right knowing that the edges are secured. Also, you will be able to create more beautiful styles and designs in your garden.

What Are the Features of a Good Lawn Edger?

Garden edging tools have different features that make them unique and you can find some of them below:

1. High horsepower capacity
2. Sharp blade and rolling speed.
3. Flexible and portable carriage. It is usually light and easy to operate.
4. Less energy consumption levels.
5. Easy to operate without stress.
6. A multiplicity of functions. It combines both trimming and edging functions.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Lawn Edger

The following are some factors you should consider before choosing a yard edger:

Quality

One of the most important factors to always consider when choosing an edging tool is the quality as they come in varying qualities. Depending on your choice and budget, you are sure to get a suitable and reliable garden edger that will be able to last for a long time. A lot of notable brands are available in the market today, so it is necessary to always make inquiries and research the quality of any brand you intend to go for.

Usage

Garden tools have different features and peculiarities that make them easy to use. Just like trimmers, a yard edger is a piece of user-friendly equipment that requires less stress. What is important is your ability to control it along the edges to achieve a perfect shape. Before getting one, ensure that you ask an expert to show you how to maneuver with it. You can also check out this video to learn more about the usage of this machine.

Type

Another major factor you should consider is the edger type. It has a variety of options for you to choose from ranging from electric, petrol, gas, and manual types. Each type has its pros and cons that make it different from others. Ensure you go through these pros and cons to determine which one will suit your need.

Cost

As stated earlier, yard edging tools come in different types and at varying costs. The cost is determined by certain factors like size, quality of materials, level of demand, and supply. A high-quality lawn edger will come at a higher cost when compared to one of average quality. Additionally, you should have in mind that a high price does not guarantee the quality of the product, so do not be in a hurry to choose, rather take your time to make a choice.

Warranty

Buying any product without a warranty is a risk that you shouldn’t take. Before choosing an edging tool, check if it has a minimum of 6 months warranty. This gives you the assurance that in case of any malfunctioning, it can easily be repaired or replaced.

Size of Garden

Considering the size of your garden is an important factor to always look out for before choosing a gardening tool. If your garden is a small one, you will just need to go for a small lawn edger and vice-versa. Also, a big yard will require the use of a highly sophisticated edger to make edging faster, easier, and stress-free.

Helpful Tips For Choosing a Lawn Edger

Many people dream of having their own garden. It’s a fun and rewarding hobby that results in a beautiful landscape.

As a homeowner, you have the freedom to create a backyard paradise. But, if you’re like most people, you have no idea where to start. It can be daunting trying to figure out what you want and how to make it happen.

Luckily, we’re here to help! Here are 6 key factors to consider when creating your dream garden.

1. The Current Condition of Your Backyard

Before heading to the home improvement store, you should evaluate your current backyard. Determine what you’re working with. Did you just move in and are starting with a blank space? There might be more work involved, but you’ll get to design it exactly how you want. If you want to modify a preexisting garden, it might be a little easier seeing as you have a foundation to work with.  

Once you evaluate your current backyard, determine whether this is a project you can complete yourself. Depending on how ambitious your vision is, you might need professional help. Use tools like this Georgia contractor license search to help you find a qualified landscape contractor. 

2. What Kind of Plants You Want

This might seem obvious, but you should carefully consider what kind of plants you want. They should fit your personal preferences while being suitable for the climate and soil you’re working with.

Many people are content with flowers, bushes, and even a couple of trees. Others might want to dive into fruit or vegetable gardening. Do your research to see how much work each involves and if you will be able to maintain your desired plants.

When you know what kind of plants you want, it will be easier to plan the rest of your landscape. You’ll know where to put plants that require a certain amount of space and sunlight, leaving you free to arrange everything else around them.

3. Focal Points

Focal points help tie your garden together. They bring emphasis to certain areas and provide a more cohesive look. Without focal points, your garden might just look like an overcrowded bunch of plants.

Some of the best focal points for your garden include:

• Statues
• Arbours
• Benches
• Fountains
• Pools
• Birdbaths

Note that certain plants can also serve as focal points. These can include a unique-looking tree, a cluster of plants, a particularly vibrant plant, etc. While focal points are a great addition, be careful not to use too many. Too many focal points can be distracting and cause crowding.

4. Shed

Now that you’re a gardener, you need somewhere to keep all of your tools. Why not build a shed?

A shed will keep you from having to lug tools from your garage. Aside from being convenient, a shed can also be an aesthetic choice. A rustic-looking structure can add a lot of charm to your garden.

5. Free Space

Before completely filling your backyard with plants and focal points, consider how much free space you want.

Do you have kids or pets that need room to run around? Do you want to have an area to host guests? If so, be sure to consider this when planning your landscape.

6. Privacy

Even though you want everyone to see how beautiful your new garden looks, you probably still want some privacy. Add a fence to keep prying eyes at bay and protect your plants. Or, consider adding a hedge for a more natural look.

Bottom Line

While creating your dream garden can be challenging, it’s also very enjoyable! Don’t take it too seriously, and have fun adding your own personal touches.

As a gardener, you want all parts of your garden and yard to look as good as possible. So it can be extremely disappointing to realize that the bark on one of your trees is starting to fall off or that your tree has become a host to a swarm of bark beetles.

You might wonder — does my tree need to be cut down or is there a way to save it?

There are certain signs that you’ll want to watch out that indicate that it is time to cut a tree down. While it is possible to recover the health of some trees, you don’t want to risk leaving a dead tree in your yard. You also don’t want to let a tree grow so large that it becomes a safety hazard due to the proximity of the tree to your house or the power lines.

Signs of a dying tree

Certain signs indicate that a tree is no longer healthy. These signs include brittle bark, limbs starting to fall off, lack of healthy leaves during the growing season, and large amounts of pests such as carpenter ants living in the tree. You may also notice the tree starting to lean in an usual way. You might also notice fungus, such as mushrooms, starting to grow on trees. However, sometimes fungal infections can be treated before they spread, allowing you to save the tree.

Hazards of a decaying tree

A decaying tree can cause a safety problem for you, your neighbors, or other people. Over time, the wood of a decaying tree becomes brittle, making it more likely that a branch or a limb will fall, which could cause a serious injury if someone is struck by the falling branch. A falling limb could also land on a house or a car, resulting in property damage. You could end up being held financially responsible if the branch of a decaying tree injuries someone or damages property.

Other reasons to remove the tree

Another reason to remove a tree, even if it isn’t dead, is if the tree is too close to your house or is interfering with a powerline. Even trees that aren’t dead could still fall over in a heavy storm. This could result in the tree damaging property or falling on the powerline. You could also decide that you just no longer want a tree and it has become a nuisance — maybe it is taking up too much yard space or leaves berries all over the place.

DIY or professional

Once you decide to remove a tree, consider whether you want to do it yourself or if you should hire a professional. Taking down trees can be tricky, especially if the tree is large or if it could fall on a powerline or your house. If you don’t have experience with tree removal, it could make sense to look into tree surgeon companies that can help remove the tree. If you cut the tree down yourself, look at an online tutorial before starting the process.

When to leave the tree alone

The only time you should consider leaving a dying tree alone is if the tree is located somewhere where it won’t pose a safety concern if it falls. For example, if you have a large property and the tree isn’t near a building or powerline. Or if it is located deep within the woods. Dying and fallen trees can make great habitats for animals, so if the tree can decay without causing harm, consider leaving it alone. It’ll eventually fall or decay due to natural circumstances.

Keep trees healthy

While all trees will eventually die, there are certain tips you can use to help your trees stay as healthy as possible. Make sure to plant trees where they’ll have plenty of room to grow and where they’ll have access to the appropriate amount of sunlight. Fertilizer and water the tree as needed to make sure it gets needed nutrients. And when you notice dead branches, trim them back so healthy branches can grow. The good news is, most trees are good at taking care of themselves!

Final thoughts

When it comes to keeping a healthy garden, don’t overlook your trees! While trees might not need as much maintenance as your flowers, you still want to check on them regularly to make sure they’re healthy. If you suspect that you have a dead tree, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional to see if it needs to be removed.

Renting a house does not mean you cannot have a say in how the lawn looks.

Renters are often under the impression that landlords and property managers assume 100 percent responsibility for landscaping tasks. However, many landlords and property owners encourage tenants to assume some of the responsibility for maintaining a vibrant lawn and a beautifully sculpted garden.

Your lease will define who is responsible for monthly lawn care. According to Utopia Management, there is no specific rule of thumb, about half of landlords prefer to provide lawncare, and half require the tenant to fulfill those duties.  However, in either case, landlords tend to be extremely open to additional landscape improvements by the tenant, even encouraging and preferring it.  Whether you’re responsible for mowing your own lawn or not, you can still find ways to improve and participate in your landscaping, making the home feel like your own. The benefits are that you make the home feel like your own, enjoy a sense of pride in beauty of your home, and get to partake in the lifelong hobby of gardening as an expression of creativity and joy.

Here are a few landscaping tips for renters. The answer is to keep it simple and if you have a more complex landscaping project in mind, make sure to run it by the property manager for approval. You may even convince a landlord to share some of the costs with you.

Stick to a Consistent Mowing Schedule

Because of the temperate Mediterranean-like climate, San Jose’s growing season typically starts in early February and it runs until mid-December. That is more than 10 months of mowing grass. Follow a consistent mowing schedule, such as every seven days during the rainy season and around two weeks when the weather turns much drier.

Pruning for Looks

Outside of overly long grass, nothing detracts from the appearance of a home more than overgrown bushes and shrubs. You do not need the landlord’s permission to prune the bushes and shrubs that surround your rental home, and may even be required to. However, you should brush up on when it is the best time to prune different bush and shrub species.

Clean the Gutters

You might what wonder what do gutters have to do with maintaining a healthy lawn and garden. The answer is overly clogged gutters eventually spill debris across a property. The unsightly mess indicates the landlord does not do a good job of maintaining the property. Cleaning the gutters can be done twice a year around the end of growing season and during the middle of summer.

Go Greener with Low Maintenance Plants

Mowing the lawn is just one way to develop a greener lawn. Another way to get greener is by planting certain species of plants that enhance the appearance of your rental house. Cliff Bressler of Nature’s Friends Landscaping suggests boxwoods, hydrangeas, and weigela as solid options for dwarf shrubs.  

Native plants in gardening are growing in popularity, and they naturally require less maintenance and offer a more organic, relaxed landscape design.

For flowers, choosing perennials instead of annuals will also cut down on maintenance, as annuals will die out and require replacing seasonally.

Using a ground cover, such as an ivy, is another way to decrease the area to be mowed and maintained.

Weed Control without Using Chemicals

Although herbicides and pesticides do a good job of killing weeds and then preventing any regrowth, you can go chemical free and still eliminate weeds by using a barrier cloth. An organic, biodegradable barrier cloth is an effective weed deterrent when placed around vulnerable plants, as well as susceptible area of the yard where weeds flourish. Using a weed barrier is an effective anti-weed strategy for protecting annuals. Since barrier cloths require frequent replacing, you can expect to spend a little money to optimize the benefits of this landscaping tip for your rental home.

Mulch Your Way to a Better Lawn and Garden

Mulching delivers a powerful one-two punch for tenants to enhance the appearance of a lawn and garden. By adding mulch around plants, you prevent soil erosion and improve the retention of moisture for thirsty plants. Mulch also presents a finely manicured appearance for the lawn. Depending on your landscaping objectives, you can go with organic mulch such as cedar and cypress, or turn to inorganic mulch like rubber. Mulching offers an affordable way to improve the appearance of the entire property, while eliminating the use of harmful chemicals to fend off weeds and pests.

Add Tasteful Lawn Art

If it does not dominate the aesthetics of a lawn and garden, lawn art can enhance the appearance of your rental home. You want to stay away from eye-cringing artifacts such as gnomes and instead utilize natural resources like the sun to project more illumination off visually appealing objects. Adding a water fountain to attract birds or a statute to provide a temporary home for squirrels can increase wildlife activity.

Rock Out

Displaying a symmetrical formation of rocks brings a sense of design uniformity to any landscaping project. Rocks that encircle a large tree or lead up to a walkway can improve the look of a lawn and garden. Rocks also add a high degree of functionality when placed around a garden by helping the soil retain more moisture and nutrients.

Keep Water Flowing

Installing a sprinkler system sounds like a great idea, and even your landlord agrees it makes sense. However, the high cost of most water sprinklers makes installing a sprinkler system out of the question. Instead, you can keep the lawn looking green and the garden flush with colorful plants by following a consistent watering schedule. Watering is not as important during the rainy season, which runs from late October until early April.

With these nine landscaping tips for your rental house, you will assume a level of ownership that will make your landlord happy. It will also keep you active in the daily management of the rental property.

Whether you’re operating an old or new trimmer, its important you learn how to operate them safely. Trimmers are easy-to-use, but you’ll need to change the string fairly frequently, and maintaining them will ensure they last for a long time.

Additionally, it's important to pay attention to the safety features before diving in to using it.

First, you need to follow the user guide (mentioned below) before proceeding to the actual use and operation of the machinery. This is very important as any misstep may lead or cause physical injuries.

Secondly, after using the edge trimmer, it is important to remember that it should be stored in a safe place. As with any sharp devices, there is a chance children could get into it if not stored properly.

Lets get into the process of operating your new edge trimmer safely.

Before Using

Before operating the device, make sure to review the product’s guidelines and safety procedures. This is very important as one misstep can lead to serious injuries. Here are a few other important check points:

You should inspect the device for damages and check whether the sharp edges and cover are secured properly.

Don’t operate the trimmer with the underside exposed. You always want to have the bottom of the trimmer facing down for your safety.

If the trimmer is electrical, make sure you are using a heavy duty extension cord to operate it. If you are using a lightweight cord, there is a chance that the trimmer could accidently cut through it when being used.

If any of the parts are damaged or broken, it is best to return your product and have it replaced with a new one.

This inspection process keeps you safe, but it also keeps the machine operating smoothly. Trimmers can jam frequently, and a lot of that can be prevented through this pre-use inspection.

Safely Using Your Trimmer

Once you’ve finished your inspection, here are the steps to safely operating your lawn trimming machine:

Make sure you wear the following items before starting the device: safety goggles, long pants, closed toe and sturdy shoes.

You must inspect your work area and  make sure that there are no pieces of loose objects around like stones, metal, etc.

The edge trimmer should be operated with its cutting head below the user’s waist. Avoid overreaching while the edge trimmer is still on.

Don’t operate an electrical trimmer in the rain. Generally speaking, the process will be a lot easier in dry conditions, so that the trimmings don’t stick together and clog your machine.

When trimming grass near trees with low hanging branches, be careful not to hit your head. It is easy to do when you are staring down, and you can hurt your eyes if not careful.

If you need to make adjustments to the device’s mechanical and maintenance components, make sure to power off and disconnect the electric cord to avoid any injuries.

After each use of the edge trimmer, place it in a secure place and not within reach of children.

Lastly, the device should also be maintained according to the manufacturer’s safety guidelines and instructions. Some of the maintenance you will need to do is: cleaning, lubricating and proper storage of the edge trimmer.

Conclusion

Edge trimmers are fantastic tools for maintaining your yard and lawn. While they look pretty safe and easy to use, there are a few safety precautions you need to follow to operate them safely. Once you observe these, though, you’ll find that this tool is an easy-to-use machine that will keep your lawn looking good.

Do you find that mowing the lawn on a weekly basis is more of a task than something you enjoy? It might be time to switch up how you are mowing your lawn. Whilst petrol mowers do still have a use, especially for larger properties and land, if you have an average sized garden, why not make your life easier? Battery powered technology has come a long way over the last 10 years and that is no different for cordless lawn mowers. Many are now better than their gas guzzling counterparts and the benefits of cordless don’t stop there! Follow our 7 things to consider before you buy a cordless mower and you may well decide that it is time to make the switch!

Weight

Even though you are still pushing around a motor, a battery powered mower is far lighter than a gas powered equivalent. Because of the weight difference, they don’t use as much energy, so the units tend to be smaller than their gas guzzling counterparts. This also makes them cheaper to run because you are using your electricity to charge the batteries rather than purchasing fuel. This can also help you get a better cut and finish of your lawn, a gas mower is more likely to get bogged down due to the weight, so why not look to decrease this risk?

How Big Is The Area You Need To Cut?

If you have a large paddock, then a smaller cordless mower may not be the one for you. The smaller units won’t have the same power capacity as the larger units and may run out mid chore. There are now many battery cordless mowers that can have the same runtime as their petrol equivalent, so just because you have a big area doesn’t mean you can’t have a cordless lawn mower. You can simply have one battery on hand if the other one runs out, that way you don’t need to stop cutting in order to recharge it, this is far more convenient than having to fill up the petrol tank halfway through.

What Are The Run Time and Power Options?

You may struggle to find equal power between a gas and a battery powered, unless you are looking for larger units. If you need a large power mower, then dual systems are the one for you! That way you can have one battery on charge whilst the other one is working in the mower. You also need to factor in run time, if you have a large garden or a paddock, chances are a 30 to 45 minute run time across one battery won’t be enough. If you have a small garden this cycle will be ideal

Charging Time

Charing time is a big factor when you are looking to select a cordless mower, you want to make sure that you are selecting a product that gives you the fastest charge time possible. If you are considering a unit that only has one battery, make sure the charge time is fast so that you don’t have to wait too long to finish the job you started.

Battery Charge Indicator

There is nothing worse than starting a job only for the battery to die mid cutting and realise that you in fact forgot to charge the battery. Look for a cordless mower that has a battery charge indicator on it. That way you will know how much charge you have left and if you have forgotten to charge the battery from your last use, you can pop it in the dock and start mowing once it has reached 100%.

Battery availability

Make sure that the mower brand you are buying has the option to purchase one or more separate batteries at a reasonable price. You don’t want your battery to fail only to find out that separate batteries aren’t available or worse, that replacements cost more than the mower!

Maintenance

If you have been using a gas-powered mower, you will be used to the additional costs of having to maintain one. Consider the maintenance aspect of this when you are looking at an electric mower. They don’t require the same level of maintenance as gas powered mowers, the don’t require filters or additional purchases like oil and pull strings, so they can save you money in the long run!

Final Thoughts

There are so many different aspects to consider when you are looking to make a change to a cordless lawn mower. Most people will have an average sized garden where a standard battery cycle and charge time will be enough to cut the lawn to a good standard. If you have a larger garden or a paddock, it may be worth looking at dual battery options to make sure you can finish the job once you have started it. Overall cordless mowers are better for you and the environment than the gas equivalent, they are lighter, quieter and don’t use as much energy as gas powered, so not only will your bills be improved, you may not feel mowing in your back the next day! Follow our considerations to help you select the best lawn mower for your garden.

When you think about garden design in Perth, it’s likely that you’ve considered hiring a professional landscaper. Some people opt to go it alone, but let’s face it, getting a garden to thrive here in Perth can be a real challenge. We’ve all see the lush lawns and perfect gardens, but it’s hard to achieve those results without expert help. In this article, we will look at four reasons why you should consider a professional landscaper for your lawn and garden needs.

1. Adding Value to Your Home

2. Improving Kerb Appeal

3. Create a Tranquil Space

4. Improving Energy Efficiency