Tools for Easy Garden Maintenance
No matter how well designed a garden is, a small
amount of routine maintenance will always be necessary, but there
are various ways of making many of the regular tasks much less
time-consuming and easier to do.
Using the right tools can save time and effort,
and will make the difference between a job being a pleasure or a
chore. Good tools, especially power tools, can be expensive
and take up space, so decide which ones will really reduce the time
you spend gardening.
Nylon Line Trimmers
These useful tools will cut down long grass around trees, against
fences and along edges in no time at all. Many can also produce a
trim edge for the lawn much more quickly than traditional
shears.
Lawnmowers
If you want to retain a
lawn but wish to reduce mowing time, consider buying a mower with a
wide cutting width. Rotary mowers are light and easy to use, but
unless you are happy to leave the clippings on the lawn, or rake
them up, buy one with a clippings collector. The same applies to
wheeled rotaries, which many people prefer.
For a striped effect a cylinder mower with a
rear roller is the best choice, although some other types now have
rollers fitted to create a similar effect.
Hedge Trimmers
A powered hedge
trimmer will save a lot of time on what is a dusty and unpleasant
job if your garden has a lot of hedge. A mains electric trimmer is
the best choice for most small gardens where the hedge is within
easy reach of a power supply, but for a large garden a petrol model
may be more practical. Battery-powered trimmers are useful for
small hedges.
Compression Sprayers
A
large-capacity compression sprayer with a long lance is much better
for general garden use than a small hand-trigger sprayer if you
grow plants that are prone to pests, such as roses and dahlias. As
well as pest and disease control, you can use one to supply foliar
feeds, and to spray growth inhibitors to reduce the frequency with
which you have to cut your hedge as this can be time-consuming.
Keep a separate watering can fitted with a dribble bar and shield
for weed killer.
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