Easy Garden Maintenance - Tools

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.

Labour-saving garden tools
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.