Hey everyone! I've recently retired and am looking to save some money by taking care of my yard myself instead of hiring a gardener, who was charging us $200 a month. I have a medium-sized yard with a small lawn, trees, and shrubs both in the front and back. I live in the Pacific Northwest, where winters and springtime maintenance are pretty straightforward, but summers can get wild and fall is a real hassle with all the leaves. I'm considering getting an electric mower for the lawn, but I know I might also need a hedge trimmer and possibly a gas leaf blower for the autumn cleanup. I'm hoping to get some recommendations on tools. Specifically, I want to know: 1. What power garden tools should I buy? Any brand suggestions, especially for battery-operated sets that could work for multiple tools? 2. What's the best order to handle the yard work? I assume blowing leaves should be the last step, but any other tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks a lot!
2 Answers
You're right about the electric tools! If you want something that's easy to handle, consider going for corded electric tools since they're generally cheaper than battery ones, although the cord can be a bit cumbersome. But if you prefer the freedom of battery-powered tools, go with a single brand for all your equipment; that way you can switch out batteries and chargers easily. Just pick a reputable brand that's on sale – they'll work just fine for your yard!
I’d suggest a rake instead of a leaf blower, especially in the Pacific Northwest where you get lots of rain. Raking is more effective and doesn't struggle with wet leaves like blowers do. If you have hedges, a trimmer could be useful, but hand-held tools might suffice if your hedge isn't too big!