Yardwork doesn’t have to be so difficult. If you have some garden-related chores that you have been dreading, maybe you just need the right tools for the job.
Trying to do some landscaping without the right tools is like trying to push a boulder uphill. You may have even assumed it would be easier to let your garden go to seed rather than try to give it some curb appeal.
If this sounds like you, then you may be shocked at how much easier and even fun landscaping can be with the right tools. If you’re still in the stage of wondering “what are landscapes“, consider this a shopping list for your first project.
Let’s dive into the ten most important landscaping supplies you need in your yard. If any of these tools are missing from your collection, get ready for a game-changer!
Shovel
Let’s start with the absolute basics. If you don’t have a shovel, don’t even bother trying to get yard work done until you get one. This is the most fundamental tool in any landscaper’s collection.
A shovel isn’t just for digging holes. It can also be used to edge your garden, pull up roots, aerate your soil, and a legion of other tasks. Like a good pocket knife, you never know when a shovel will come in handy.
Even if you have a shovel already, make sure it is of high quality, with a steel or fiberglass handle. Wooden handles work, but their rough surfaces can cause unnecessary abrasion on your hands.
You will also want to get your shovel sharpened at least once a year. It makes a difference!
Loppers
Some yards have that one big bush with monster branches that just refuses to be trimmed. If you don’t have loppers handy, you could spend long, sweaty hours trying to trim back those branches.
Although they are a simple tool, their engineering is ingenious. It amplifies the force from your arms and channels it into the sharp blades, allowing you to cut through thick branches with ease.
Even if you only trim large branches a few times a year, loppers are a must-have garden tool.
Pruners
Although not as powerful as their cousins, loppers, pruners are still essential to any landscaper’s collection.
If you are into gardening, there come a time when you must trim dead branches and flowers to make room for new growth. If you don’t prune,l your garden can become choked, with too large a percentage of the plants cut off from sunlight. This also creates a breeding ground for mold and pests.
You can try to prune with your hands, but a sharp set of pruners turns a job that could take an hour into one that takes just a few minutes.
Rake
Like the shovel, the rake is a humble yet essential staple of any landscaper’s collection.
Many people assume rakes are just for gathering fall leaves into a pile. And they are good at that! But they can do so much more.
Most landscaping projects make quite a mess. A rake makes clean up so much easier. You can use them to gather dirt, rocks, and plant waste material into piles. You can also use them for spreading gravel on a new walkway, or mulch in your garden.
Also, like with shovels, there are plenty of cheap models out there. Don’t be scammed! Look for a rake with a sturdy handle and tines that won’t break off after a few uses.
Hose & Nozzle
Most houses have a water spigot near the yard. But if you don’t have a hose, there isn’t much you can do with it. You could always use a watering can, but that necessitates going back to refill again and again.
A hose gives you a never-ending and portable supply of water, while the nozzle changes the type of spray. The nozzle allows you to gently water your flowers or send a powerful jet over long distances. Make sure you don’t get carried away and rack up the water bill!
Wheelbarrow
For many novice gardeners, a wheelbarrow falls into the ‘do I really need that’ category. They assume that they can get by with just their hands.
But the first time you try to carry several bags of much across a yard, you will be wishing you had bought that wheelbarrow. Do your spine a favor and pick up a wheelbarrow!
Gloves
Landscaping takes a toll on your hands, and it happens fast. Not only can you get blisters, but moving all that dirt can lead to dry, cracked, or even bleeding skin.
You may not be the type of person who gives much thought to the state of their cuticles. But even so, give gloves a try. Even if you are an occasional gardener, you will be glad you did.
Weed Trimmer
Now we are getting into some of the more advanced tools. A weed trimmer, also known as a string trimmer, will give the edges of your garden that sharp finish. If you want your yard to look like a professional took care of it, a weed trimmer is a must.
Leaf Blower
This one is also a bit of an investment. But you will be glad you got one.
Trying to gather all the leaves in your yard with just a rake can take hours. It also requires a lot of bending, stooping, and lifting, which takes a toll on your joints and muscles.
A leafblower does all the work for you. Plus, it can be used to gather lawn clipping after you’ve cut the grass, or dirt from a digging project.
You can technically get by without one, but anyone who takes pride in their garden has a leaf blower these days.
Lawn Mower
And finally, we reach the king of garden tools. This is probably going to be the most expensive tool in your collection, but it will be absolutely worth it.
Don’t be tempted to save money with a cheap lawnmower. Just like a cheap car, they will break down before you know it and end up costing you more in repairs in the long run.
A lawnmower is crucial for keeping your yard looking trim and fresh. If you can only afford one major purchase for your landscaping work, make it a lawnmower. You can’t have a yard without one!
Final Thoughts on Essential Landscaping Supplies
Now you have a good foundation of tools in your stable. But this is far from a comprehensive collection. There are a plethora of landscaping supplies available.
These are just the bare essentials. Once you see how much easier your life is once you have them, your collection of landscaping tools will continue to grow.
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