Routine lawn care demands its share of tools, and lawn restoration and installation require others. Of course, which tools you really need likely depends on the size of your lawn. Which ones are right for your yard? Read on…
For regular lawn maintenance, it’s a good idea to have: A) a garden cart; B) grass shears; C) a lawn rake; D) a lawn edger; E) a string trimmer; F) a dethatching rake; and G) a hand-edger.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
A multi-toothed rake may be simple in design, but it’s an essential tool for taking care of your lawn!
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard
To restore an existing lawn
, you’ll need a thatching (or dethatching) rake, which features knifelike blades designed to cut through dead grass. For a large lawn, consider renting a power dethatcher.
You’ll also need to aerate your lawn by punching deep holes at regular intervals in the surface to allow for better water and nutrient penetration and to add oxygen at root level. There are manual aerators you can use, but again, if your lawn is expansive, you may want to rent a gas-powered aerator that deposits the short plugs on your lawn’s surface as compost.
Finally, you’ll also need a spreader – a multipurpose tool that evenly broadcasts fertilizers, amendments and seed for lush, healthy grass.
If you’re installing a new lawn
, you may want to rent a gas-powered sod cutter to break away your existing grass at its roots. You’ll likely need to rent a power rototiller as well to break up compacted soil.
A lawn roller to level and firm the soil before planting is another good tool to have. And for professional results, you may want to rent a power seeder, too, which cuts grooves into the soil and evenly deposits lawn seed in them.
Once your lawn has grown in and is looking good
, you obviously want to maintain it right so it stays beautiful. First and foremost you’ll need a good mower. A gasoline-powered rotary mower is the No. 1 choice of most homeowners, but electric models are also available. A mulching mower will chop up the grass and spread the clippings as you mow to use as mulch and feed your lawn. Reel mowers also remain a popular choice, due to their relatively low cost and the action of the blades, which deliver an exceptionally sharp cut.
A good edge trimmer also is essential to lawn maintenance. The options here are many –from gasoline-powered to electric or manual models. (String trimmers are best saved for lawn edges that abut hardscaping.)
Other handy lawn tools include a garden cart, lawn and leaf rakes, spades and shovels, shears, a weeder, sprayers for herbicides and fungicides, and a good hose that reaches all areas of your lawn without twisting.
Finally, you need to investigate the range of irrigation systems available and find the one that best serves the needs of your landscape. With regular care and maintenance – and the right tools for the job – that lush grass you’re growing will stay healthy and beautiful all season long!
