If you are reading this, then you are probably as excited as I am about spring. I’m writing to you from the fine and gorgeous Northeast of the U.S, where spring is always welcomed when it finally arrives.
But as the thermostat begins its slow descent, and the sun in our hemisphere begins its ascent, thoughts of spring start to race through our minds. Being unprepared for winter up in these parts can be a death sentence, luckily spring is a little more forgiving.
But if you want to get ready for spring gardening season like a pro does, I am going to show you what you need to do it.
If you want a job done right, do it yourself. What that statement neglects to mention is that it's impossible to do it yourself if you don't have the right tools. If you want your yard and garden to look it's absolute best this spring and summer then you are going to need some tools.
What you should know, however, is there are a thousand tools out there for sale that you don't need. All types of contraptions that will supposedly make the job easier. I will tell you a little secret. Most of these things won't make your job any easier.
They will only clutter your space, cost you money, and teach you how to do things the wrong way. You won't find a better way to cut a sandwich than with a knife, and similarly, you don't need a shovel with a laser on it to dig a hole.
Soft Rakes When You Need To Be Gentle
All rakes are not created equal. Having the wrong rake will get the job done, it will. However, you will create additional work for yourself because it picks up what you could leave behind, or it will damage the area that you are trying to clean.
Think of a soft rake as having a bunch of independent fingers that operate individually. This allows the soft rake to pick up leaves or small sticks while not damaging whatever is underneath.
The action of the fingers is very soft and gentle, making it great for protecting the grass, or clearing debris from beds without removing all of the mulch with it. Also if you have groundcover with leaves and debris on top, the soft rake does a great job of clearing the debris without damaging the groundcover.
Even if you have large bushes, say 6’ or 7’ tall, you can use the long shaft of the rake to reach up and remove leaves out of the bushes or shrubs without fear of damaging them. It still requires a gentle hand, but this is the tool for the job.
Finding a good rake at your local store should be easy. Look for one that is not the bargain model, and has a bolt to connect the handle.
There is one thing that I will say now, and try my best not to repeat myself. Don’t by low-quality Garden Tools. Why? They break too quickly, and it will always break when you need it the most, always.
Spending a little more the first time will serve you well. You will get a higher quality tool that does a better job, and if it is of high quality, you may only have to buy one, ever.
I know, another rake, silly right. But wait just a second. If you want to make your yard look the way others do, who foolishly paid thousands of dollars, you are going to need three rakes, not two. There are two types of hard rakes.
There are hard plastic rakes and hard metal rakes. Hard plastic rakes are NOT for cleaning out beds typically. Unless you don't mind the mulch and everything else in there coming out. This type of rake is firm and rigid, and the fingers work less independently, and more as one big scraping hand.
Use this rake to clear everything, when you want no debris at all left behind. The hard plastic rake is not forgiving in flower beds or nor is it kind to the grass. The best time to use this rake is early in the spring before the grass has come in, or heading into the fall when the grass is starting into its dormancy.
This way nothing gets damaged at the beginning of the growing season.
Just like the soft rake, don't buy the bargain model. Look for a handle that has a strong connection point, and the stronger material for the grip the better. Fiberglass handles are king for just about any tool. It will cost more, but they are supremely durable and much lighter.
The hard metal rake is used to level soil or mulch. It can also be used to rip at grasses or overly weedy areas when being cleared or renovated. Obviously, this metal form of rake is not forgiving whatsoever and is therefore used more for construction, renovation, and mulching.
It has a particular use relating to mulching, and if you want your yard to look pro, you will become very familiar with mulching.
Just like the soft rake, don't buy the bargain model. Look for a handle that has a strong connection point, and the stronger material for the grip the better. Fiberglass handles are king for just about any tool. It will cost more, but they are supremely durable and much lighter.
Look for a durable handle, fiberglass if possible. Strong connection point for the handle. This type won't have a bolt to connect the handle, so quality is a must. Choose a head that is more flat as opposed to rounded.
Speaking of mulch, you are going to need a wheelbarrow. How much do you value your back, would you pay up to say $150 to save it from excruciating pain? Of course, you would, but that is going to feel mighty uncomfortable when you finally make that visit your local hardware store. $150 is a lot of money for a wheelbarrow, and it’s worth every penny!
I can remember watching my Dad lug around this rusty old red wheelbarrow, what I called his “old man wheelbarrow.” It was as shallow as a dinner plate, and ergonomics, what's that? Finally, one day I showed up with a proper wheelbarrow for him.
His back thanked me from that day forward. A suitable cart is going to be DEEP. If you are fit, you may be able to fill entirely with mulch and still manage it. DO NOT attempt to fill it with dirt.
Unless however, you are a brick mason by day, otherwise, you will not find success in doing this. Lastly, use it. Use it for everything. Save your back, the wheel was kind of a significant invention, use it to your benefit in the garden.
This is the one I use, and this is the one you want. 6 cu. Ft. is a lot of space for a wheelbarrow. Even if you don't use it, this model is designed to carry heavy loads. Which will make your light loads a breeze. Just as a bonus, it is available with a no flat tire.
So there is one thing that you should never, ever do with your weed wacker and that is chop down weeds. I know that sounds crazy, but it’s true, at least in certain circumstances. Never use a string trimmer(the actual term for this piece of equipment) to get rid of weeds that are in an existing bed.
Pull them by hand, or get rid of them by some other method. If you are renovating the area or its an area far away from your other manicured beds, then go crazy. Just know that if you genuinely want the weeds to go away, using this tool will spread the weeds seeds around more effectively than a seed spreader could.
The real goal with this tool is to make every blade of grass stand the same height as the grass that was mowed. So after you mow, walk around the yard with your trimmer and knock down every single blade that is standing taller than the lawn you just mowed.
DO NOT TRIM THE GRASS DOWN TO THE DIRT!. No, no, no! Trim everything to match the height of the grass that you just mowed. Now for the pro touch, and make sure you wear goggles when trying this.
If you flip the head of the tool over, you can use it to cut a perfect line that defines all of your beds or tree rings. This is the icing on the cake. A professional touch that everyone will notice, and you will certainly see the difference as well.
You may consider buying a commercial grade trimmer even if you don't need it. They don't cost all that much more, but they can be repaired, unlike many store bought models. Two store bought models will easily set you back more than one nice commercial setup. Professionals like to have a straight shaft, as opposed to a bent shaft because it is ergonomically superior.
Always wear safety equipment. Never let the string hit the tree when trimming around it, especially young trees.
Blowing Away The Competition
How much blower do you need, and what type should you get? Nothing makes someone's yard look more amateur than when they leave grass clippings lying in the street. I hate that! Nothing makes a property look more complete than when it has been meticulously blown clear of all visible debris on the ground.
The best way to do this is with a proper blower. Similar to the wheelbarrow, a blower can place a great deal of stress on your back. The good thing is, they come in all different shapes, sizes, and performance levels.
If you have a property with a lot of leaves in the fall, then you have no choice but to buy a more powerful blower. If you don't have many trees on your property, then you can get away with something with a little less power.
Of course more power costs, you guessed it, more money. The second factor to consider is whether you want a handheld version or a backpack version. For years there were no less powerful options that were backpacks. Nowadays almost all performance levels are offered in a backpack form. If it’s comfortable for you, always go for the backpack. It is much more comfortable and allows you to keep your body in a more natural position while you are working.
If you have a small yard or driveway, and only use the blower for a couple of minutes after you mow, and that's all, then you may be able to save a few dollars by choosing a handheld version. Don’t blow too much on this tool unless you have to.
Similar to the trimmer, you may consider buying a commercial grade blower even if you don't need it. They don't cost all that much more, but they can be repaired unlike many store bought models. Two store bought models will easily set you back more than one nice commercial setup.
You didn’t think I was going to send you out into the garden like a pro without at least one holster, did you? Oh Yes, the garden knife and its holster are one of my favorite tools. It’s versatile and can be used for too many things to list.
I use it to spit plants, dig out weeds, pop stubborn new plants out of pots, and dandelion slaying. Don't just grab a steak knife and think it will do the job, it won't, I’ve tried. Not to mention you will likely cut yourself in the process and need a bandaid holster.
This knife is just dull enough that it won't be a danger, yet sharp enough to split through the most healthy roots. Did I mention the opportunity to wear a holster in the garden?
There are a few manufacturers that make garden knives. A.M. Leonard makes incredibly high-quality products, and they charge for them. But, they've got holsters for days!
Make that two holsters if you want to get crazy. If you are going to be a pro gardener, you are going to need a pair of pruning shears that you can believe in. This is like the paintbrush that you use to sign your masterpiece.
When you finish your work, and you look back, you will find something. You should see something, and most likely it will be you trusty pruning shears that will make that ugly annoyance go away. A piece of grass, a stray limb or branch protruding, no match for your eye, and your blade.
These must be kept sharp, and clean. They should be cleaned often with a water and alcohol solution. You are the surgeon, and your garden is the patient, don't kill it, wash your tools.
Too many manufacturers in this category to name. Look for a high-quality pair that feels good in your hand.
Spray Bottle With A Soap Solution Is The Best Solution
This is the least expensive items on the list, and possibly one of the most effective. Purchase a clean, never used spray bottle and fill it with a water and dish soap solution. Not much soap, a dab will do. Ok, five teaspoons/20 oz if you want to be exact.
If you have any insect problems in the yard, specifically on the leaves of your plants, spray them with this soapy solution. This is one of the most simple and effective natural insecticides available in your kitchen. Truly a powerful and natural tool for the gardener that is safe for children and animals alike.
Just make sure it’s clean. No residual contaminants.
Everyone thinks they have down but do they? When is the last time that you had your lawnmower blade sharpened? When is the last time that you had your lawnmower tuned up?
These are two areas that can have a substantial impact on how your lawn looks, more so than people think. When your mower is not tuned and running correctly, often the motor begins to run slower than it should.
This causes the mower not to cut precisely. You may even hear the sound of the mower slowing down as you run into taller grass. Or worse, sometimes it slows down when the grass is only slightly taller.
These are all signs that your mower is ready for a tune-up. When the mower is not running at its proper revolutions per minute, that means the blade is also struggling. The blade begins to rip at the grass, rather than slicing it.
If the blade is dull, this only increases the ripping action. When the blades of grass are torn and not sliced, it damages the grass, and it also does not give you that clean, professional look that people are going for.
If you want your lawn to stand up tall and in unison, you must have a sharp blade, and a properly tuned lawnmower running at full speed. The pro tip here is to learn to change the blade yourself.
It is a single bolt, and it is straightforward to replace. It also gives you an opportunity to clean the underside of the mower. Build up under here reduces the effectiveness of the cut, and leaves clumps behind. Nobody likes clumps. Keep one blade sharp and on the mower, purchase an extra blade and have it sharpened.
Now you will never be without a sharpened blade. Change the blade once every month or two for that professional looking cut. This is what your undercarriage should look like! Keep it clean for a clean cut.
Is there more? Of course, there is, but this list will give you a strong start. And with these tools alone you can transform your yard and garden. Even if you have a small yard, it can cost thousands of dollars per year to have a professional landscape crew to care for your property.
But the truth is you really can do it yourself, make it look just like the professionals do, get fit, and save hundreds of dollars in the process. Consistency is the key to having a head-turning yard and garden.
Sometimes it better to just spend a few minutes a day rather than nearly killing yourself in the spring or fall. Having the right tool for the job as you can see, is crucial. So don't work overly hard, work smart, and make sure you have the right tools before you start the job.
The old fashioned way is still usually the best way…….if you are doing it right!
