Tips & Techniques
Betterdays in Full Swing
By Gilmour
Any professional gardener will tell you, the right landscaping tools can make a world of difference when trying to maintain a yard or garden. Knowing the ins and outs of each job, including what tools to use, will make every landscaping task a little easier and can save gardeners time and effort. Learn about the best tools for the job from Gilmour. Read on as we cover:
There are some tools that are great to have, and others you just can’t live without. Learn what pieces of landscaping equipment and basic gardening tools are must-haves.
Professional-Duty Hose – For a hose that stands up to the toughest jobs, durability is key. A professional-duty hose should feature heavy-duty, patented construction that is flexible yet durable enough to stand up to frequent use in tough conditions. Look for a hose with a high PSI rating, which means it will be able to tolerate water pressure fluctuations without damage. An industrial-grade cover that stays strong even when dragged over rugged terrain is also important. And lastly, crush-resistant steel couplings at the end of the hose will resist bending or leaking. Steel couplings are 60% stronger than brass, so it pays to look for a hose with steel.
Top tip: Gilmour’s Flexogen Pro Hose is a great choice. The highest burst strength 8-layer hose on the market, it is ideal for year-round use in all types of weather.
Dependable Nozzle – After finding a good hose, the next step is an equally trustworthy nozzle. Nozzles should be both strong enough to withstand drops and damage, while comfortable enough for all-day use. For durability and long life, a nozzle should be constructed with a heavy-duty material like zinc. And for comfort, a soft-grip over-mold and easy-to-use thumb control can work wonders.
Top tip: The Gilmour Crushproof Nozzle is perfect for durability and strength. Although its exterior soft-grip over-mold makes for comfortable, all-day usage, its internal body features heavy-duty, all-zinc construction built to resist up to 5,000 pounds of pressure if it is ever run over. It also has a high-pressure rating of up to 125PSI.
Versatile Quick Connectors – If you are tired of wasting time and effort connecting hoses together to add length for easy watering, these will be the new go-to attachments. For creating a quick-and-easy connection, their push-pull “snap” ring provides a simple, single-click way to join watering tools together.
Top tip: Try the Brass Quick Connectors. Their solid construction guarantees reliable, long-lasting performance, while a comfortable thermoplastic rubber grip makes it easy to use for every watering tool.
The Right Sprinkler – If you have a large space and will need to water often, finding the right sprinkler is key. When choosing the perfect sprinkler to cover extra-large spaces, look at the amount of square feet a sprinkler is capable of covering. For durability and robust construction, an all-metal base that won’t tip and an all-metal head that will stand up to dings and drops is ideal.
For control over the spray, some sprinklers offer a way to customize spray patterns with trip levers and control dials. Water intensity can also be controlled with a diffuser screw that modifies the spray from a powerful jet to a light mist. Stability (especially on uneven land or hills) can be improved with a spiked base that will keep sprinklers in place.
Top tip: Try Gilmour’s Metal Circular Sprinkler. With heavy-duty, all-metal construction, including a metal coupling, it is tough enough to endure several seasons worth of abuse. It will also provide approachable, easy-to-adjust options for controlling coverage of up to 8,500 square feet – the length of over 28 football fields. Another option is the Elevated Circular Spray Sprinkler, which also covers up to 8,500 square feet and rests on a tripod for elevated coverage.
An Electronic Timer – Designed to save time and prevent overwatering, an electronic timer is an often-overlooked asset. A timer can program water schedules, so even when away, yards and gardens will be watered on schedule. Simply adjust the start time, frequency and duration of watering, and let the timer take care of the rest. To avoid overwatering, a timer helps use only what is needed by scheduling between 15 minutes and two hours of watering, saving resources and dollars.
Top tip: Look to the Dual Electronic Timer which allows scheduling on two outlets to run simultaneously so running multiple hoses in different areas is a snap. And the rain-delay feature will automatically skip watering when rainy days will take care of it for you.
There are a few tips that will ensure a garden tools list is accurate and complete. Be sure to do the following so you are prepared for jobs big and small, all season long.
Assess the Job
What exactly needs to be done? Take the time to look at a job from start to finish, then think about the pre-job prep, the during-the-installation components and the cleanup factors involved. Make a separate list for each task and include the tools that will be necessary.
Keep in mind that most jobs in the garden will require a fair about of prep, whether that be weeding, clearing old brush or plantings, soil prep or building out areas with boundaries.
Estimate the time it will take to complete each step so you are prepared for the total amount of time the task will actually require from start to finish.
Keep It Simple
Certain tools are specific to jobs. Some tools will be great for one job, but not as ideal for another. A large shovel is great for digging a hole, but if weeding a vegetable garden is the task, a long-handled hoe would be ideal. And it’s easy to know the best type of gardening tools to use for each task at hand – if you aren’t sure, just ask a local nursery for advice!
Test out Tools
Sometimes a tool may seem like it would be perfect, but then mid-task it may begin causing blisters or an achy back. Don’t be afraid to switch tools for efficiency, comfort and ease-of task. Just because that long-handled hoe is supposed to be the best for weeding a vegetable garden doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use a small hand trowel if it feels better and is getting the job done.
Taking care of landscaping tools is part of the routine. Follow the tips below to ensure tools are safe and last as long as possible.
Don’t Settle for Damaged Tools
Damaged tools can be dangerous or make jobs harder than they need to be. With proper care, maintenance and storage, tools should last for many seasons, but occasionally they will need to be shown some love to repair them. Rather than invest in brand-new tools, things like crushed couplings or hose tears can be quickly and easily repaired by keeping replacement couplings and menders on hand. To replace a crushed coupling, simply cut it off and insert a new male clamp coupling in its place. Leak-resistant and reusable, once repaired it will offer superior durability for many more years to come.
A hose that is cracked or punctured can be fixed in no time, too. Just cut out the tear, attach a tool-less compression mender to each end and tighten the cut hose back together for a leak-resistant connection. With these new helpers, your “damaged” hose will work like new.
Clean Tools After Use
Cleaning tools immediately after using them each time will extend their lives. Make sure to wipe off dirt and debris or wash them if needed. Most importantly, be sure to thoroughly dry tools, especially metal ones, before putting them away to prevent rust.
Ideal Storage for Tools
Storing tools in a dry place will also help them last for many years. It is worth the time and effort to put tools away after every use. Peg boards mounted on a garage or shed wall make organization easy. Simply hang tools with S hooks along the board. A drawer or tool box work just as easily. Eliminate the frustration of not being able to find the perfect tool by diligently putting each tool away in its own spot, every time.
Gardening and lawn care tools can make a gardener’s life so much easier. Take care of them, and they’ll last for years.
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