Tools for Basic Lawn Care
There were once very basic tools for lawn care. For once upon a time grass grew wild. Imagine going out into your yard with a hand scythe to cut it. That was a mere 150 years ago. So your dads grand father really had only minor lawn care headaches back then, it would seem. But not you. There are now dozens of tools that need to be considered when thinking about keeping your lawn green and in tip top shape.
A lawnmower is the most basic lawn care tool to take into account. It’s odd to think of a living organism as needing to be sliced to stay healthy, but as a professional gardener acquaintance once stated ‘Grass likes to be cut’. To accomplish that, a good lawnmower is a necessity. Though among the more costly items in the tool set, if maintained well it will last forever.
You will need to keep the blade sharp and inspect the spark plug to keep it clean. Check to see if it has and air filter as you will need to change that. Every year you should also change the oil just as you would in your car.
Keeping the lawn neat is almost always a matter that can’t be totally carried out just by mowing, though. A trimmer or edger is needed. The two basic types are the old-fashioned two blade model with a long handle. Running the blade alongside patio bricks, steps and other edges keeps the lawn trim and looking good.
The other type of trimmer uses a whirling device with a plastic string that spins out a few inches. This plastic then cuts off grass or other items you aim it at, so be careful of your trophy rose bushes. Gas powered are more high-priced than electric. They tend to be lightweight and if found on sale, affordable You will need to replace the coil of plastic string each few months, but that is a minor expense.
Next on your list of basic lawn care tools is a spreader. It is important so that you can evenly lay down your weed killer, fertilizer, or other spreadable compounds that assist you with keeping your lawn weed free. One type of spreader looks like miniature lawnmower but without the blade. It is more like a tub that has some small holes along with a roller that will spread the material. You can adjust them for use for a variety of compound applications.
The second type of spreader is a hand-held unit, usually plastic with a rotary handle. They’re perfect for specialized applications of seed for patching small lawn areas, distributing dry fertilizer beads and so forth.
A rake is one of your most basic lawn care tools. It is handy for more than just piling up leaves in the late fall. Though it’s important to use for that. Leaves left on the ground can cause grass to overheat or get too tiny water. In areas that get winter snow, at the end of the season the grass will be compressed into thatch.
This means that your grass blades are overlaying one another as on a thatched roof. This will prevent air circulation needed to keep the lawn healthy. So it is helpful to de-thatch the lawn using a special power tool, but really, if you’ve the back for it than your rake will work fine.
One final basic tool for your use is a narrow bladed or long forked shovel spade with a long handle. This is great for removing weeds in small areas. You’ll also benefit from having a bigger shovel, either rounded or square, your choice. It can be used for digging post holes, moving soil around plants and a whole lot of other tasks you can think of as other landscaping ideas pop into your head.
Stock up on your basic lawn care tools, keep them in good shape and all your lawn care jobs will be easier. Well, easier than slicing with a scythe, that’s for sure.
