The warmer months may have you thinking about your property’s appearance. After a long winter, you’re likely ready for a lush, green lawn and cascading flower beds.
Essential landscape gear is necessary for transforming your yard into an oasis. While a professional may need to help you operate heavier equipment, you can handle most of the tools yourself. Here are eight garden instruments and machinery to bring your backyard landscaping ideas to life.
1. Lawn Mower
A freshly mowed lawn makes a tremendous impact on your landscape. According to a 2023 National Association of Realtors report, 58% of homeowners desire to stay home after a simple backyard landscaping task like lawn care. Another 46% say their lawn’s beauty and aesthetics lead to greater enjoyment of being at home.
A push or riding lawn mower is among the most essential landscaping equipment you need to achieve and maintain the perfect yard. Push mowers even come with grass disposal bags or discharge chutes so you can reuse clippings as a natural fertilizer.
2. Edger
Precision is key to landscaping a pristine yard. Therefore, you’ll want to use an edger to clean the edges along your property, including walkways, the driveway, curbs and flower beds. This tool makes it easier to reach tight or difficult-to-access areas of your lawn, such as around trees or outdoor ground lighting.
3. Excavator
Large backyard landscaping ideas call for heavy land-clearing equipment to prepare your property for planting. An excavator can remove large natural debris like trees and boulders from the yard. By using a special mulching head attachment, you can grind trees down to the stump and use the mulch in your garden.
An excavator is an ideal machine to rent since it’s expensive, bulky and likely only needed for a short time. Of course, it’s best to call a professional to operate landscaping equipment for hire so you can prevent hazards.
4. Hedge Trimmer
A hedge trimmer is the best solution for tidying hedges, shrubs and other woody plants. You can even use them to give your greenery a unique shape or uniform appearance. Some trimmers come with a cutting bar attached to a long pole, allowing you to reach the tops of higher hedges or other hard-to-reach places without a ladder.
5. Pruners
Pruners are hand-held tools for cutting through plant stems and branches. They’re essential for removing diseased or dead plants from your garden and improving growth and flowering. Although manual pruners get the job done, a battery-powered model is more effective.
Cutting hard or thick branches can take a lot of effort. With an electric pruner, you can cut through them in a second without exertion and strain. Some even come with a light feature for improved visibility in shaded areas.
6. Garden Trowels
Some of the most effective landscape gear, such as trowels, are small and hand-held. Trowels may include shovels and scoops, which you can use for digging a hole and transplanting plants. Likewise, trowel rakes make it easier to remove weeds, grass and other debris from the dirt. These tools are ergonomic and versatile and help you create the garden of your dreams.
7. Sprinkler System and Hose
A sprinkler system and hose are essential landscaping equipment for a lush, green lawn and vibrant garden. The best sprinklers water slowly to reach the roots for optimal growth. You can find models that are better for flat or sloped land at your local home improvement store.
Likewise, you will need a durable garden hose to attach to your sprinkler system and irrigate potted plants, trees and shrubbery. The ideal length depends on the size of your yard. You must also consider the diameter of the opening and material.
Experts suggest watering your lawn between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and avoid irrigating in the mid-afternoon. This will prevent stress on your grass and promote better absorption. Otherwise, watering in the heat of the day could cause you to lose up to half of your water application due to evaporation.
8. Spreader
Spreaders are another large backyard landscaping tool you can use to disperse fertilizer and grass seed evenly across your lawn. There are several types you can use, such as broadcast models for covering an expansive area quickly or drop spreaders that lay granules in even rows. You can even find hand-held spreaders for smaller areas.
Achieve a Stunning Landscape With the Right Equipment
The right equipment can enhance your curb appeal and help you bring large and simple backyard landscaping ideas to fruition. From push mowers to land-clearing machinery to hand-held tools, the perfect yard is just a few trims and clips away.
