The right power tools can make your lawn and garden jobs easier and faster.
One of the most important considerations is power. An underpowered tool can sometimes seem to create more work, and an overpowered tool can be difficult to control.
A tiller or mini-tiller (figure A) can be used in most outdoor gardens. Mini-tillers weigh as little as 20 pounds but can cut quickly through weeds and tough soil.
A propane torch (figure B) can be modified to burn through weeds in the summer and melt ice in the winter. The conversion kit typically costs about $20.
If you do much lawn work, you'll need a string trimmer (figure C) to clean up around the edges of your yard. If you have a small yard, you can probably get by with an electric trimmer, which is lightweight, quiet and powerful. Electric trimmers usually cost $20 to $80 depending on their motor strength. If you have a large yard, you might be able to use a cordless electric trimmer, but you'll probably need to move up to a gas-powered model. These trimmers are noisier, but they offer more power and don't require a cumbersome extension cord.
Hedge trimmers (figure D) are a great time saver. Unless you have a great deal of shrubbery located far away from your house, you should probably use an electric model, which requires much less maintenance than a gas-powered hedge trimmer. Electric hedge trimmers usually cost about $50.
If you're tired of raking leaves in the fall, you should get a leaf blower (figure E). Electric models are now producing wind speeds of up to 190 miles per hour, comparable to that of gas-powered models. Many models can also vacuum leaves for use as mulch or compost. Electric leaf blowers cost around $60 to $70.
Many homeowners rely heavily on their lawn mowers in the spring, summer and autumn months, but they hate dealing with the noise, smell and maintenance of gas-powered mowers. Not too long ago, electric mowers were considered to be weak and unreliable. Now, however, most electric mowers (figure F) are as powerful as a 5-horsepower gas mower. In addition, they're quieter and require less maintenance. Corded mowers cost about $200, and cordless mowers cost around $300.
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