When it comes to outdoor maintenance, homeowners have two options: do it yourself or pay someone to do it for you. If you’re a roll-up-your-sleeves type of person, you’ll need to gather a small arsenal of tools to properly maintain your yard. Here’s a list of 14 useful outdoor tools that homeowners should have.
Yard care
From digging to trimming to cleanup, these essential tools will help keep your yard in tip-top shape.
1. Leaf and garden rakes
2. Branch loppers
This is the go-to tool for pruning trees and other shrubbery up to about an inch wide. If you need to cut thicker branches, try a reciprocating saw as a safer alternative to a chainsaw.
3. Leaf blower
Despite the noise, a leaf blower is hard to beat for quickly clearing leaves from large areas or tidying up after mowing. Types of leaf blowers include battery-powered, electric and gas-powered.
4. Shovels
Owning the right shovel makes yard work faster and easier, whether you're digging, scooping or edging. Make sure you buy the right one for your needs.
5. Wheelbarrow
A sturdy wheelbarrow makes everything easier on your back. It’s perfect for hauling leaves, mulch, landscaping stones—you name it!
6. Hedge trimmer
If you have hedges, you’ll need a hedge trimmer to keep them manicured. Battery-powered models are lighter than gas-powered models and don’t restrict your range.
7. Garden shears
This small hand tool is a must-have for the yard. It’s great for deadheading flowers, cutting twigs, and shaping hedges or bushes.
Lawn care
A well-maintained lawn starts with the right equipment. These tools will help keep your lawn healthy—and boost your home’s curb appeal.
8. Lawn mower
From self-propelled push mowers to large ride-on mowers, there’s a mower that’s right for every yard. If your lawn is small, you may even consider an electric mower to save on gas.
9. Weed whacker
If you have weeds along your fence or foundation, a weed whacker is the perfect tool. It’s excellent at tackling hard-to-reach areas your mower can’t access. Options range from lightweight, electric models to heavy-duty gas models.
10. Garden hose or sprinkler
These are must-haves for dry summer days. Skimping on water might seem eco-friendly, but a dead lawn takes even more water to replace.
Driveway care
From summer heat to winter snow, your driveway takes a beating year-round. These essential tools help keep it clean and clear.
11. Pressure washer
Using a concentrated water stream, a power washer is ideal for cleaning your driveway, walkway, deck and outdoor furniture. Both gas models and electric models will provide enough power to rid these surfaces of dirt, mold and mildew.
12. Snow blower or snow shovel
Heavy snowfall calls for a reliable way to clear it. If you own a snow blower, make sure you get it serviced in the fall so it’ll be ready for the winter. When shoveling, always lift with your legs, not your back.
General items
Beyond the big equipment, you’ll need a few simple essentials to round out your homeowner’s toolkit.
13. A good pair of gloves
No matter what you’re doing, your hands will thank you for wearing gloves. Not only do gloves protect you from blisters, cuts and splinters, they also improve your grip, making tasks like digging, pruning and hauling safer.
14. Extension cord
An extension cord lets you power electric tools like lawn mowers, trimmers and leaf blowers so you can avoid the cost of gas-powered models. Make sure the cord’s gauge and length can handle the equipment you're running.