Common Landscaping Tools for Every Landscaper
For the avid do-it-yourself landscaper, the right tools are important. After all, if one wishes to save money on the expenses associated with having a well cared for yard, it is best to make sure that he or she has all of the tools necessary to create an attractive landscape. By understanding some of the most common tools used for basic landscaping needs, you can ensure that you have everything you need to keep your lawn in the best possible shape, bringing delight and distinction to your grounds, be they large or small.
Shovels, rakes, trowels, and hand cultivators. These are the most basic of tools when it comes to landscaping. Every home should be supplied with these basic implements. They make just about every landscaping endeavor possible. Shovels to remove sod and turn soil, as well as dig the holes necessary for fixtures like trees and hardscapes, Rakes are essential to smooth out planting beds and prepare ground for things like sod without packing the dirt. Trowels and hand cultivators allow you to perform minute work that requires more attention to detail. All of these tools are necessary to the proper functioning and care of a landscape.
Pruners and shears. These tools are used to improve the appearance of woody plants and trees. They keep plants from encroaching in other areas, and they also promote the overall health of the plants. They help maintain a neat appearance, and if you have topiary concerns, they are indispensable in maintaining a set shape. There are hand pruners, tools that help with the smaller branches and are easier to use, loppers for getting thicker branches that are to large for pruners, and even pruning saws that can help you with the toughest of branches. Hedge shears provide a way for hedges to be trimmed more conscientiously than with electric or gas-run trimmers (although these are widely available and can make maintaining hedges much easier).
Lawnmower. This is perhaps one of the most common and most obvious of landscaping tools. It is meant to keep the grass at a reasonable level, and to keep the lawn neat and healthy. Related to lawnmowers in the trimming department are things like weed wackers, which are very useful in keeping edges that can’t be cut by a mower nice and neat. Additionally, the use of some special machinery, designed to eliminate thick brush is useful to have on hand, even it is only in the form of a machine rented once a year.
Other tools of interest. Of course, there are specialty tools that may be needed depending upon on the features of your landscape. If you have a water fixture, it is important to make sure that you have the proper pumps and filters, and that you have little skimmers that can allow you to remove larger pieces of debris from the water. Automatic sprinklers can make watering the lawn and your other plants much easier, and you should have a garden hose for special watering needs. Regular household tools such as hammer and nails, levels, and drills can be helpful if you have built landscape features like patios, decks, pergolas, and trellises. They can also be useful in building things like containers and creating raised beds.
Wheelbarrow. A wheelbarrow will always be of infinite use for the avid landscaper and improver. Wheelbarrows are very useful for moving debris as well as bringing needed implements to their proper places. They haul dirt and bring in plants. They make it possible to for one person to carry a load that otherwise she or he would not be able to handle. For the serious landscaper, a wheelbarrow is indeed necessary.
When you have all of the tools necessary to take care of your landscape, then you are well rewarded for your hard work. Acquiring the more common tools can also save you money in the long run, as they can be used over and over again. Additionally, many of the more common landscape tools are fairly small in size and easy to store in a garage or a shed. As long as they are kept neatly arranged in place, they are easy to get to when needed, and not hard to find. Proper maintenance of you tools is important: keep them from becoming rusty, and make sure your lawnmower and other gas or electric implements are well oiled and always have plenty of gas. Proper care of your tools ensures that you will be able to properly care for your landscape.
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Early Planning For Landscaping On A Slope
There is a lot of information available on using different materials for landscaping on a slope. Landscaping on a slope can be daunting but it is possible to create a beautiful area in a place that was once boring. Your landscaping design should take into account any natural features present such as creeks, ponds, large stones, trees, and other such objects.
Landscaping on a slope will require a bit more planning and work than ordinary landscaping, in order to make sure the design works properly. Yards that have a grade of 4 percent or more can be quite daunting especially if you do not address some important maintenance issues before you begin your landscaping project.
A Few Problems When Landscaping On a Slope
Erosion is the largest problem to address when landscaping on a slope. Rain is your worst enemy as it can expose plant roots causing plant death as well as washing away topsoil. You can level up the grade of your slope in order to prevent erosion. Retaining walls that are both functional and decorative can be used to prevent erosion. Stones, railway ties, four by fours, and terracing are all feasible options; though remember to install drainage beneath the wall. You should consider staggering the wall to create terraces and display plants and remember not to make the walls themselves too high.
You will most likely need some sort of watering plan for a slope as the rainwater will not soak into the soil but run off. You need to make sure some water soaks in to the ground in order to irrigate any plants, shrubs and trees in the area.
Where you place plants is also important, as plants at the bottom of the slope will be supplied with too much water. Peat and sphagnum moss can be added to the soil to absorb water especially if you are not using terraces. These additives act like a sponge and hold rainwater. You should also add a dry creek bed or create another drainage source.
Adding fertilizer and mulch can also be a problem on a slope as the same problems associated with water also apply. Your fertilizer and mulch will end up at the bottom and those nutrients will not do their job, with all of the nutrients at the bottom of your slope. Lawn mowing can also be a problem as an overturned mower can be very dangerous; you may need to use a push mower instead of a riding mower.
A way to solve this fertilizer and mulch problem is to completely remove the grass and add ornamental grass or low-maintenance groundcover options. These types of cover will make your yard look lush and also solve many of the maintenance issues associated with landscaping on a slope. This will solve many a headache further down the road when implementing your landscaping design.
About the Author
Cindy Heller is a professional writer. To learn more about landscaping on a slope, please visit backyard landscaping idea.
