Getting started
So you decided to get into the world of landscaping. Whether it be a new hobby, career change or whatever the personal reason may be, landscaping is fulfilling work that increases the value of your home, enhances the livability of your community, and creates outdoor spaces for people to get together. To get these results like these here are some essential tools you should invest in that will pay dividends for any landscaping project you take on.
Protective Gear
When you are working around thorns and wood splinters it is a good idea to wear protective gloves to prevent blisters and scratches. Consider wearing long sleeve shirts and pants during that job too. We recommend safety boots when working around rocks or other heavy material and safety goggles when chopping wood or mulching leaves.
Hand Tools
When you are buying hand tools avoid painted wood handles. Typically this is a manufacturers way of disguising low quality wood. Look for a wood handle close to the grain, a hollow steel or fiberglass handle. What specific tools should you buy?
Shovel. Don’t be afraid to overspend for better quality.
Steel Rake. These are for tougher jobs like moving soil, gravel, compost or mulch.
Leaf Rake. Used for leaves, twigs and lightweight debris
Garden Hoe. For preparing flower beds and removing weeds.
Spades. For smaller digging jobs and moving small mounds of dirt.
Trowel. For digging up weeds and other rocky soil.
Pruning Shears. Used to remove branches. Hand held pruning shears cut branches up to 1 inch thick
Lawnmower
This is another area where you can’t be afraid to spend. A high quality lawnmower works more efficient and is less likely to break down – saving you money long term. It also allows you to complete your work quickly and accurately. If you need a lawnmower for a commercial job, you need a blade with a diameter of 30” or more to ensure you aren’t spending the entire day on one job.
Weed Whacker
You’ll always need a grass trimmer to provide a great looking finish against edges, trees, sidewalks and whatever else you have on your landscape design.
Leaf Blower
Let’s face it, we want efficiency AND speed. A leaf blower is the fastest way to round up large numbers of stray leaves. We recommend gas powered leaf blowers, especially for commercial use because of the amount of power used to operate. Get a blower with a vacuum functionality for an even easier time!
Wheelbarrow
Don’t sleep on purchasing a quality wheel barrow. Remember that two-wheel models are the best and easiest if you are moving product over tough terrain.
Garden Hose
Even if you have sprinklers installed you should have a long garden hose to make sure you have the ability to provide every plant with water. We recommend buying one with an adjustable nozzle so you can have full control over water pressure and spray coverage.
Final Thoughts
You now have the tools you need for success. Landscaping can be intimidating for beginners at first but we promise you it is rewarding. Enjoy the process. If you to add a professional touch call Bulger Brothers today!
