Taming a garden with manual tools can be time-consuming. With an arsenal of electric tools at your disposal, you can take the sweat out of gardening (plus such tools are generally quieter and more eco-friendly than their petrol counterparts). Below are 10 gadgets every green-fingered enthusiast and professional landscaper should consider investing in.
Lawn mower
No garden toolkit is complete without a reliable mower. Electric mowers may not be as powerful as old-fashioned petrol mowers – but they’re lighter, less noisy, lower maintenance, easier to start and better for the environment. When choosing an electric mower, consider opting for a cordless battery-operated model so that you’re not having to trail a cable around. You could even consider a robotic lawn mower which will mow your entire lawn automatically for you (just be prepared to spend extra!). Some mowers also have adjustable cutting heights and mulching modes, which can be useful.
Grass trimmer
For those tricky edges and hard-to-reach spots, it’s useful to have an electric grass trimmer (sometimes referred to as a ‘strimmer’). These tools use a fast rotating line of nylon to cut through grass and weeds. Consider spending extra for a battery-operated model with an adjustable head and auto-feed spool. Grass trimmers tend to cost less than lawn mowers and can be used to cut an entire lawn, but are often better used in conjunction with a mower (especially if you’ve got a large lawn).
Hedge trimmer
If your garden has hedges, buying yourself a hedge trimmer could make taming and shaping these hedges a lot easier than having to use shears. Cordless hedge trimmers tend to be the best investment (with plug-in varieties, it’s very easy to accidentally cut through the cord). If you choose a modern model, it should have many safety functions in place such a hand guard, an emergency stop button and low vibration technology to reduce strain. Read reviews to select the best trimmer.
Chainsaw
For heavy-duty pruning tasks involving thick branches, you’re going to want a chainsaw. Electric models are lighter and quieter than petrol options. Battery operated chainsaws are similarly a better option compared to plug-in options as they have more range and you don’t have to worry about accidentally cutting through a cord. Safety is paramount when choosing a chainsaw – look for models with chain brakes and a low kickback design. There are many guides online that can help you to find the safest and more efficient electric chainsaw.
Pressure washer
When it comes to cleaning patios and decking, a pressure washer can be a useful tool to have. These gadgets use high-pressure water to blast away dirt, moss and grime. Many models allow you to adjust the PSI and have different nozzles to choose from. Make sure to select a pressure washer that is powerful enough for your needs – some are capable of stripping paint, while others have a low pressure limit and are largely designed for cleaning cars or BBQs. When cleaning a patio or deck, you may want to apply some chemicals first to loosen up dirt – especially if you’re using a lower power pressure washer.
Leaf blower
In autumn, fallen leaves can smother your lawn and make a mess of your patio. Instead of spending ages raking and sweeping these leaves, consider whether it is worth buying yourself a leaf blower. Electric leaf blowers can come corded or battery-operated. Some have different air speed settings or even a vacuum mode for easily collecting leaves. You can also buy leaf blowers with telescopic tubes for use at different heights.
Automatic sprinklers
Automatic sprinklers come in use in the summer during periods of drought. Rather than having to manually water your lawn with a hose pipe, you can turn on sprinklers to do it for you. Many modern sprinklers can be put on a timer or have smart controls that enable them to automatically turn on based on the weather and water optimization settings. Choose sprinklers with a small spray head for small areas of grass and rotary sprinklers for larger lawns. Micro sprinkler systems and drip systems can also be purchased to water flower beds, vegetable patches or shrubs inside greenhouses – take your time to research into the right sprinkler for your needs.
Pond pump
Got a pond? Pond pumps help to promote water movements, which can be important for aerating the water and maintaining healthy oxygen levels if you have fish. On top of this, pumps can help to promote healthy bacteria growth and prevent mosquitoes nesting in your pond. You can choose from external pumps or submersible pumps. Some pumps also have adjustable flow settings or waterfall and fountain settings. Take your time to work out which pump is best suited to your pond.
Soil moisture meter
Electric soil moisture meters can help you to determine how wet the soil is in your plant beds to help prevent under watering or over watering. This is useful when it comes to growing fussy plants that need certain soil conditions to thrive. Some soil moisture meters can also provide additional readings such as the temperature and PH. You can also buy smart moisture meters that can be linked up to an app on your phone so that you can remotely monitor soil quality.
Pest repeller
For scaring away garden pests, it’s also possible to buy electronic repellers. These emit ultrasonic noises or display LED lights to ward off unwanted garden guests like squirrels, rats and foxes. There is some debate as to whether these repellers are effective, however they’re worthwhile trying if you’ve got a pest problem in your garden and have already tried other measures.
Conclusion
Electric tools are the way to go if you are an enthusiastic gardener looking for ways to save time on garden maintenance. Compare different models to find one that is affordable and suitable to your needs. Consider the fact that some of these tools are plug-in and some are battery-operated – the latter tends to be more convenient, but you do need to remember to charge your tools after use.
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