5 Tools Every Homeowner Should Have For Outdoor Maintenance

Owning a home means plenty of opportunities to enjoy your outdoor space and make it into whatever it is you want it to be (that’s one of the joys of homeownership, along with other benefits that people love), but with great outdoor spaces comes great responsibility, and keeping your yard in tip-top shape means you’ve got to have the right tools. Don’t worry, though; you don’t have to have a garage full of expensive equipment to stay on top of things (although if that’s what makes you happy, of course you can!) – you can do a lot of the hard work with just a few useful but important tools, and once you know what those essential tools are, you’ll be able to handle anything that comes your way in the garden. With that in mind, here are some tools you really should invest in – read on to find out more. 

A Lawn Mower

We’ll start with something quite obvious (but perhaps so obvious that it can be overlooked when you’re making your essential tools list) – the lawn mower. If you’ve got any amount of grass, even a small patch, a good lawn mower is non-negotiable, and there are lots of different types to choose from, including the classic push mower or something more high-tech like a ride-on machine. The key is to find one that suits the size of your backyard, your fitness and health levels, and your budget, which is why you need to research what you buy and not just pick the first thing that comes your way.

For smaller spaces, an electric mower might be all you need, but for bigger yards, a gas-powered or ride-on might be better – it’ll save time and be less hard work. You might also want one with a mulching feature because then you can put your clippings to good use. 

A Chain Saw

For tackling serious outdoor jobs, a chain saw really can make a big difference. You can use it to deal with overgrown trees, fallen branches, or even clearing some space in the garden for adding something new, like a flowerbed or a patio, for example. Whatever it is, this is a tool that makes quick work of jobs that would take hours (or days) to do with a hand saw. 

When you’re choosing a chain saw, think about what you’ll generally need it for and that’ll help narrow things down. A battery-powered chain saw will be lightweight and handy for smaller jobs, but a gas-powered one will be best for heavy duty work, for example. Just remember you’ve got to be safe, so you’ll need to wear protective gear, including gloves, goggles, and boots. 

A Leaf Blower

Leaves are lovely to look at until they start to pile up and take over your yard, and then they’re a bit of a pain. That’s why you should get a leaf blower because you’ll be able to clear them out of the way really easily and quickly – it’s the perfect tool for keeping your garden tidy and you won’t have to rake, which is ideal. 

Again, there are options there, and again, it’ll depend on all the factors we’ve mentioned above, so it’s wise to keep your list of wants and needs for garden tools even after you’ve bought a couple of items because you’re sure to need it again in the future. 

Hedge Trimmers

Neat hedges and shrubs can make a yard look stunning and well-kept, so of course, if that’s the look you’re going for (and it probably is), a hedge trimmer is going to help massively. It’s something that’s sure to save time and give you a beautiful end result, so there aren’t really any downsides to it. 

You don’t even have to get too technical because if you’ve got smaller hedges or you’re just tidying things up here and there, you can get a pair of manual hedge shears that are easy to store and as long as you keep the blade sharp, they’ll work for years. But you can get electric versions if you’ve got a bigger job to do or you just prefer power tools. 

A Garden Hose

It’s not the most exciting item on this list, but it is still essential – a garden hose. If you’ve got one, you don’t have to worry about keeping your garden looking its best at all times – after all, you’ve got to water your plants, trees, shrubs, and even your lawn. Plus, a hose can be handy for cleaning the patio or your garden furniture, or even the kids’ toys if need be. 

When you’re shopping, look for a hose that’s kink-resistant and it also needs to be long enough to reach every corner of the garden. Plus, get a good spray nozzle and you should have everything covered.