Do You Have the Right Lawn Care Gear ?

by Silka Sage

Once upon a time, a hand-held sickle, or more likely a long handled scythe, was the tool of choice for cutting grass around the house. But in this day and age, unless you live on a large farm where cows will still do the job of trimming your grass for you, there are some more advanced grass cutting tools that will make any routine yard care task easier and faster.

The modern day workhorse for cutting grass is of course, a lawnmower. Cutting your grass with the right mower and keeping it a healthy length goes a long way to getting the lush green look everyone wants. Prices can vary greatly for a range of mower types and by brand name. But you don't have to break the bank to get a good cut.

Your mower is a machine that needs regular maintenance and the better you care for you lawnmower, the better it will cut your lawn season after season. A well maintained machien will last a long time, saving you money in the long run. Change the oil on your gas mower as you would on a car, every season.

Keeping the lawn neat is almost always a matter that can't be completely carried out just by mowing, though. For trimming grass that the lawn mower can't access you'll need a trimmer - which could be gas powered or electric. The two basic types are the old-fashioned two blade model with a long handle. Somehow, a good cut just does not look complete until you've trimmed the long grass around decks, fences and patio stones.

Powered trimmers will make the job go faster and you have the choice of gas or electric. Both options come in several models and brands. The plastic line that does the cutting wraps around a coil and the line is replaceable once it runs out. The string whacks off grass or other plants wherever you aim it. If the trimmer is just for your home, take into consideration the size of your yard and the amount of trimming that you'll need to do each time you cut the grass. You only really need to buy a trimmer that that suits the job at hand. Expect to pay anywhere between $30.00 to $300.00.

A spreader or two is vital for evenly laying out fertilizer, weed killer and other compounds that help keep the lawn weed free, healthy and looking great. One sort is like a small lawnmower with no blade, just a tub with small holes and a roller that dispense material. Easy to use and long-lasting, they're adjustable for a variety of applications.

The second type of spreader is a hand-held unit, usually plastic with a rotary handle. They're perfect for specialized applications of seed for patching small lawn areas, distributing dry fertilizer beads and so forth.

This might seem obvious but you'll want a couple of good rakes too.Rake away heavy amount of leaves in the fall because leaves left on the ground can cause grass to overheat or get too little water. In areas that get winter snow, at the end of the season the grass will be compressed into thatch.

The blades of grass will tend to overlay one another, preventing air from reaching the soil efficiently. De-thatching can be done with a power tool, but a simple hand rake is also effective.

Other basic yard care essentials include:
- a long handled fork for turning soil
- a long-handled shovel or spade for a variety of gardening tasks
- a quality garden hose and nozzle
- garden gloves, safety glasses, ear plugs
- a sharpe pair of hand prunning tools

Stock up on the basics, keep them in good shape and all your lawn care jobs will be easier. Technology has come along way since the turn of the century and the world of lawn care is no different. Many tools can make your lawn care chores easier and faster. Happy cutting and remember to think green!

Silka is a freelance writer who is completing her Masters of Business Administration at a major Canadian university. She has an undergraduate degree in Horticulture and consults with businesses that provide lawn services in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon. She is passionate about environmental concerns in general and especially as they relate to landscaping and gardening matters within the Region of Peel in particular. She believes that people should think green, think globally but act locally.

Article submitted Friday, June 19, 2009 & read 88 times.

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