These are tools the basics for anyone who maintains their own backyard. This is by no means a comprehensive list of all the power tools you could possibly own that would be helpful, but maintaining these Basics ensures that for just about any job you have the tool necessary.
I am going to give a favorite electric and gas trimmer for those who prefer one over the other. I have been a gas guy for a long time, but I am eyeing the trimmer system below and with just a look you can see why.
Lawn Mowers
When picking a mower consider your size. For anything less than 10,000 sqft a push-mower is fine for the brave, but any thing greater means you will spend your weekend cutting the grass instead of enjoying your lawn. Don’t waste your time, get the one for the job.
This lawn mower on Home Depot is the best electric walking lawn mower out there and light enough for you to let your kid make a quick $20 mowing the lawn even though they are in middle school. It practically drives itself and is pretty quiet while providing all of the extras like mulching, many height adjustments, and more. You might just find yourself in a zen like trance after starting to cut your lawn.
This lawn mower by Toro is a power house that provides the power of a big engine with the feel of easily maneuverable electric mower. It has all the bells and whistles of a walking power, but is definitely more heavy than the previous mower. These mowers are worth it definitely, but expensive too. If you want a budget friendly one that has just about everything you would need in a mower try this one by Troy.
I will tell you, absolutely don’t settle for the hundred dollar one at your local hardware store. I mistakenly did that because I was feeling like I didn’t need one of those fancy ones…after all, I’m a strong guy. One of my biggest yard work mistakes. It doesn’t mulch well, is unwieldy, and worst of all doesn’t have an adjustable deck which means that I am cutting my lawn about twice as much as everyone of the neighbors(that was a long time ago, but still fresh in my mind).
Best riding mower for large lawns that are about an acre I would go with the the John Deere. A household name, these guys don’t fail to supply. It also has many attachments and boasts a modest engine.j It also has several other attachments as well that can make taking care of a large lawn a breeze.
Anything up in the 2 to 3 acre or more range you need a bigger mower like this zero point turn mower. This is what we used for commercial use and with regular maintenance these will last the test of time and a massive yard.
Trimmers
This electric trimmer on Amazon is my go to for the every day grind. I have owned a black and decker and it has always done me well. Most of the time when I see them broken it has been due to some type of neglect so for a good price you can get your trimmer and help to edge as well. It is electric battery powered( I will never go back to a corded…never) and it has enough battery for a mid sized lawn with a good bit of power behind it.
Also, you will see that I don’t advise getting an edger here. It is not because I don’t think they do a good job, but rather because you can do about as good a job with a trimmer if you have a steady hand. When I worked professionally cutting lawns every day I did not use one, but that doesn’t mean I will never own one. When I show you the trimmer system below you will know why I want the complete collection.
This gas trimmer on Amazon is my money for gas. I have preferred gas for a long time as the power is almost unmatched in the trimmer world. It has an easy start and is also carried by quite a few professionals so you are getting the quality you pay for. This also doubles as the system. It can alter to be a hedge trimmer, pole saw, edger, cultivator and more. If I give up on the next system due to its expense I will definitely be getting this series. Its minor flaws are worth it.
This electric trimmer system on Amazon from EGO is the all in one and there seems to be no end to the attachments they have. I could fill my garage with the options, and everyone of them I could use on a regular basis at my home. A terrific bonus is that it is light enough for my wife to pick up and use whenever she is out in the garden cleaning up, whereas the gas trimmers can be a little hefty for her. Check out the versatility on this system.
Hedge Trimmer
Hedge trimmers are important for keeping those pesky bushes in check and especially if you are butted up against a forest. Allowing growth for one summer or even a month can take away a foot or more of your usable lawn space. Keeping it back is important, and yes I did not point a link it here because the trimmer systems above have those multi-head attachments that can reach low as well as very high. If you go cheap and but a tiny one you will find yourself buying a stable ladder to compensate for the small reach.
Blower
This blower on Amazon is cheap, but lasts. While it may not get the heft of a powerful blower it is good for the size and especially the weight as just about anyone could handle this with ease at about 5 lbs. I do not own a blower myself just because I was ruined by the one below.
The Stihl backpack blower is something that I could not go without if I were to buy a blower. Maybe I was pampered(here I go reminiscing about my landscaping job), but there is no match in the handheld blower world for a back pack blower. I can say with complete honesty that I would never use my rake if I had a backpack blower and I would absolutely love that. Well worth the money to me.
Chainsaws
This chainsaw on Amazon would probably be the one I would pick. Chainsaws are not needed by everyone though so this was a tough decision. It is pricy, but if you need a smaller chainsaw than getting the trimmer system with a pole saw is the way to go. Don’t get me wrong, there are certainly good smaller chainsaws out there, but for me as a homeowner I would find a lot more use in a pole saw that can cut things on the ground and high in the trees. Standing on a ten foot ladder with a blade spinning at 20,000 rpm is not my idea of a good time.