Lawn Care Tools

You need basic lawn care tools to maintain and manage your lawn.

You've taken the time to plant grass seed or lay sod to create a lawn. Now, it's time to take care of it. Lawns require certain tools to keep them looking tidy and clean. But, you don't need to spend a fortune purchasing these tools. Before heading to your local hardware store, stop at a nearby flea market or yard sale, and see what you can find. Does this Spark an idea?

Trimmer and Edger

A string trimmer or weed whacker uses a fast-moving, rotating string to cut down grasses and weeds. An edger is similar to a trimmer, except that it is designed to move along the edge of your driveway, pathway or walkway. The edger only cuts down the grasses that are growing over or on these hardscapes. These tools use either gas or a battery to operate. A gas trimmer uses an internal combustion engine that runs on gas. The battery-powered tool has an electric motor and uses a rechargeable battery. The string trimmer and edger help maintain your lawn and keep the grasses short. If you live on a slope or rocky terrain, then a trimmer works better than a lawnmower.

Spreader

Spreaders allow you to distribute fertilizer and feed to your lawn. The hand spreader has a handle that you crank. The opening at the bottom spreads the material around your lawn. If you have a larger lawn, then consider the drop spreader. This tool rolls along your lawn and drops the material out through the bottom. While the hand spreader spreads material everywhere, the drop spreader only drops material underneath it. If you are starting a new lawn, or need to reseed, use these tools to distribute seed.

Lawnmower

A lawnmower is an essential tool for any large lawn. If you only have a small patch of grass, then the trimmer works better. The type of lawnmower that you need depends on the size of your lawn. For small back yards, purchase a push lawnmower. If you have a large lawn, and a large budget, consider a riding lawn mower. Lawnmowers are also gas or electric powered. With an electric lawnmower, you generally need to plug it in to a power source before using it.

Rake

A rakes is a multipurpose tool. Use it to rake up cut grasses or to gather up blown in leaves and debris. Remove small rocks and pebbles from your lawn. Use it to cover grass seed with dirt or to evenly spread out seed, feed and fertilizer.

References

• ConsumerReports.org: String trimmers
• University of Florida IFAS Extension: How to Calibrate Your Fertilizer Spreader
• Guide to Choosing and Using a Lawnmower
• Dirt Works: Renovating and Old or Damaged Lawn

Resources

• Lawn Care and Tools