Landscaping Basics 101

We’re back with another practical blog post for you! If you’ve moved into a home for the first time and are overwhelmed by your new outdoor responsibilities, this article is for you. Today, we are going to let you in on what tools and tips are going to be the most essential as a beginner. Let’s get started —

essential HAND tools

Here’s a list we’ve curated of must-have tools that will help you navigate your yard projects with confidence and ease:

1. Pruning Shears - We place this tool on the top of our list. Shears are versatile and tiny, but mighty! They’re best used to trim small branches on trees, shrubs, plants and even harvesting your fruits and veggies.

2. Hand Fork - This tool can be used to remove minor weeds and break up soil in your garden.

3. Trowel - This is a tool utilized for digging holes for situations such as planting seeds, measuring depths in the soil, and digging up tough weeds. We suggest stainless steel trowels as they cut into the soil easily. Also, make sure you find a trowel with a comfortable grip! This tool will be your best friend.

4. Gloves - Gloves are incredibly essential for not only keeping your hands clean, but to protect you from cuts and minor injuries. You won’t want to forfeit this one.

5. Knee Pads - This is a tool that can often be overlooked. When you’re working on your yard, you tend to kneel and place lots of pressure on your knees. Get some handy knee pads to add some extra cushion and comfort while you work away.

*Note: Because there’s tools can wear & tear easily, we recommend investing in high quality tools to ensure longitivtiy.

sprinkler systems ARE THE BEST HACK

There’s a handful of solid reasons to install an automatic irrigation system in your yard:

1. No one wants to drag that long, heavy hose around. It’s heavy and clunky. It get’s caught underneath car tires in the driveway. The tubes get’s tangled and cut off water circulation. No one has time for that.

2. If you’re a traveler, installing a system can really help save your landscape while you’re gone! Replacing parts of your landscape can be expensive, especially if it’s lawn.

3. Being hands-off with your yard is priceless when living a busy life; irrigation systems help you pocket more of your time.

4. They can save you money. Enough said.

5. With the correct settings and programming, these systems promote watering precision, leaving you with a healthier, happier, more balanced landscape.

Learn more about the benefits of sprinkler systems on our blog post here.

invest in a good lawn mower

A quality walk-behind lawn mower is a maintenance must have. Of course, it cuts your grass and enhances your landscape’s aesthetics, but there are also other benefits that you maybe didn’t know about:

1. Fights weeds

2. Retains soil’s nutrients

3. Reduces pests

4. Clean up excess debris

5. Did we mention, it’s a pretty therapeutic chore?

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE the power of a good rake and shovel

You definitely won’t want to skip out on a quality rake and shovel; these two tools are essential. Use a shovel to dig, lift, move, or smooth out surface areas. Use a rake to to clean up fallen leaves and other debris. If you’re feeling confident**, consider investing in a leaf blower for even more efficiency! Like we’ve mentioned, you’ll be using these tools often, so don’t skimp out on purchasing quality ones.

*Pro tip: More importantly, make time to clean all of your tools at the end of each season to keep them in tip-top shape!

still overwhelmed and need a professional? the gpl maintenance team is here to help.