Landscapes

Landscapes

No Dig or No Till Gardening

The basic premise behind no-dig or no-till gardening is to garden in such a way as to not disrupt the life in the soil as it is the natural food source for the plants. This method works hand in hand with and uses many techniques used in lasagna gardening and organic gardening.

How Does it Work?

  • There are millions of microorganisms inhabiting the A Horizon of soil. The A Horizon is the topsoil layer that provides the habitat for the growth of microorganisms and plant roots. Tillage, plowing and digging exposes these microorganisms to the sunlight and results in those beneficial microbes’ death. (Dowding & Holden, 2013)
  • No-Digging means exactly that. You do not dig and disrupt the soil. You instead depend on the microorganisms to keep your soil well-aerated (they create microscopic tunnels/paths for the movement of nutrients plus water). Their respiration activity also adds oxygen to the soil layers.
  • No plowing and other cultivation operations are necessary. Whatever your garden soil structure may be, organic mulching will make it suitable for planting without the need for cultivation. Rather than cultivate, you use the regular application of compost to enrich your soil.
  • Cardboard and or newspaper can be layered to suppress weed growth, conserve soil moisture, and steadily add essential micro and macro-nutrients into the soil. Organic mulch also improves soil aeration.
  • No-Dig gardening can successfully support all kinds of vegetables, annual or perennial flowering plants, and shrubs. The secret is to add compost each year during the months of Jan-Feb to avoid needing to use harmful synthetic chemicals to control weeds and fertilize.

How to Get Started with No-Dig Gardening?

Site Selection

The most important thing to be considered after you have decided to do no-dig gardening is the appropriate site selection. Choosing a well suited location in your yard can be a great starting point.

Some important things to consider when choosing your site:

  • Consider the history of your site: If you know the site, you might know it’s history. Find a spot that has a long history of plant growth with very little human disturbance and you will be well on your way to a good start. You don’t want a spot that has been compacted by vehicles or equipment.
  • Consider the sun exposure: Note the amount of sun that your site receives during the day. Full sun is great for vegetables, but shrubs and perennials may prefer a bit of shade.
  • Take a soil test: An accurate soil test will give you a good idea of what sort of plants your garden will support and what types of organic matter you might want to add to support those plants. Choosing a spot that is nutrient rich will make your first few years of gardening much easier. Also, the acidity and alkalinity level of soil decides the nutrient uptake and absorption rate by the plant roots.

Decide What to Grow

You can grow any type of plant or crop that you desire in your no-till garden, but most people consider this type of gardening ideally suited for vegetables or annual flowers. We usually think about using no-dig gardening for these type of plants because historically, we would till up our gardens every spring before planting them. All of these no-till techniques can also be used for perennial or shrub gardens.

Decide what type of compost you will use

Organic compost can be made from almost any available organic material that you may have around the house. This collected organic material can be layered on the garden in fall (the lasagna method) or it can be mixed and composted all year-round to create heaps of compost that can be spread on the garden. If you live out in the country, you may be lucky enough to have animal waste readily available, but if not, you still have plenty of options.

  • Plant waste such as leaves and stems of dead plants
  • Kitchen, and home waste such as paper, leftover food, cuttings, etc.
  • Field waste such as wheat, rice and barley straw, etc.
  • Wood scraps such as sawdust and wood chips.

Preparing your compost

If you choose the lasagna method, it is fairly easy. You simply apply layers of paper, cardbord or wood waste intersprersed with layers of organic materials and let it decompose on it’s own. Leave it on the garden over the winter months and then plant into it in spring.

If you choose to create a compost pile, collecting and preparing compost is not a one day project, it is more like an every day project. Once you start thinking like a composter, you will find more and more organic matter that can be used in your garden.

You will need an area to collect the everyday things that will be used in your compost. Many people might use a box or container to hold their compost. It needs to be big enough to hold a good amount and it needs to be in an area that is easy to wrok. The compost will need to be turned to create the nice organic material that you want for your garden.

It’s best to chop the material before dumping it into your compost area to help speed up the compost process.

Once you experience how easy it is to make compost on your own, you will never have enough. You may want to keep two to three piles or boxes filled all year round.

The Lasagna Method – broken down

While the below list names specifics, feel free to use whatever organics you have available. The important thing is getting new and healthy nutrients into the ground in a natural manner.

  • Lay down a layer of newspaper, cardboard or wood chips that will act as a natural weed growth suppressor/ground cover and completely decompose within 5-6 weeks.
  • Above the cardboard paper layer, the second layer will be leaf litter, wheat straw, rice straw or grass clippings. This layer acts as a water-absorbent, and can be several inches thick.
  • The next layer should be several inches of well rotten (aged) farmyard manure, kitchen waste or any other easily decomposed and soft material. This will be the layer that would directly support the plant root growth.
  • The subsequent layers of field waste, stem and branches can be added if you want to raise the bed’s height in your Lasagna Garden.
  • Give your lasagna at least 3-4 months to decompose and then plant right into it.
  • Do this year after year and your soil will become very rich and soft over time.

No-Dig Gardening Benefits

  • Water conservation: Water availability should be a major concern for every gardener. “Save as much as you can” is the strategy behind no-dig farming/gardening. Organic mulching and no-tillage (not disrupting soil to expose it to the sun that will cause moisture evaporation) conserve soil moisture more efficiently and hold irrigation water more precisely.
  • Improved soil fertility: Anything that can be done to avoid using harmful synthetic herbicides and fertilizers in our soil will benefit the earth. By using the above listed methods, you can have completely healthy and happy soild without using any harmful products whatsoever. Organic mulching improves not only the organic matter content of the soil but also assists microorganism’s growth. The slow-release of nutrients is a beneficial process for the plants to utilize both mobile and immobile nutrients (in well-plowed soils, these nutrients are moved either to the surface or below the root zone, making them unavailable for the plants).
  • Biodiversity conservation: Not disturbing the natural habitat of beneficial insects, birds, and plants, by avoiding herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers, and other synthetic chemicals will eventually lead to biodiversity safeguarding.
  • Environmental pollution reduction: Instead of wasting the home, kitchen, field, animal industry, food processing industries, and plant leftovers, using them in food production and soil fertility conservation will reduce environmental pollution. In this age where we face the problem of food and water shortage, it is best not to waste even a single thing that could be beneficial for the soil and eventually to nature conservation. (Kingsley, Townsend, & Henderson‐Wilson, 2009)
  • Shifting back toward nature: Historically families grew their own food. Nowadays, we get our food from factories and stores. The more natural we can make the process, the better it is for our earth. Lasagna Garden establishment is a non-Mechanized Garden establishment process where you do need any machine from soil preparation to crop harvest. (Raymond, Diduck, Buijs, Boerchers, & Moquin, 2019)

References:

Dowding, C., & Holden, P. (2013). Organic gardening: the natural no-dig way: Green Books.

Kingsley, J. Y., Townsend, M., & Henderson‐Wilson, C. (2009). Cultivating health and wellbeing: members’ perceptions of the health benefits of a Port Melbourne community garden. Leisure studies, 28(2), 207-219.

Lanza, P. (1998). Lasagna Gardening: A New Layering System for Bountiful Gardens: No Digging, No Tilling, No Weeding, No Kidding! : Rodale.

Raymond, C. M., Diduck, A. P., Buijs, A., Boerchers, M., & Moquin, R. (2019). Exploring the co-benefits (and costs) of home gardening for biodiversity conservation. Local Environment, 24(3), 258-273.

Natural Control of Garden Plant Diseases

Plants and diseases go side by side; you cannot manage a one hundred percent disease-free garden even when you are doing everything right. For sustainable and environment-friendly farming, we have to shift towards the natural means of controlling diseases and insects. 

Non-Chemical Control of Common Garden Plant Diseases:

Chemical control of trouble-causing disease might seem quick, cheap, and easy to adopt, but the long term damage those chemicals do to the soil, air and underground water cannot be ignored. Biological, cultural, and mechanical control are enough to control most diseases commonly found among garden plants. Natural control is long-termed, beneficial for the soil, plants, and environment.

Physical/Cultural Control:

“Prevention is much easier than treatment.” A healthy soil, well maintained and the right choice of plants and plant species are the most critical factors in keeping the disease away from your garden. 

Crop Rotation:

As the name indicates, rotate your crops. Do not plant the same vegetables/plants every season in the same beds. It is used to control certain soil-borne plant diseases in which the pathogenic organism resides in the soil to survive the unfavorable conditions. They obtain their food from live plants. When a crop is rotated, and the pathogen does not find its food, it cannot multiply, and thus, its population crashes.

For example, if you plant tomatoes in one season, grow some annuals in the next season. It will allow you to grow a crop off and on without the attack of any serious disease and spending additional money on their control. 

Appropriate Irrigation Practices: 

Most pathogenic fungal spores, foliar nematodes, and bacteria require one drop of water on the leaf surface to penetrate it, i.e., dry leaf surface area does not let the pathogenic spores enter it. 

Overhead irrigation, either through water cannons or sprinklers, wet the foliage of plants and creates a favorable environment for the pathogens to grow. On the other hand, drip irrigation or furrow irrigation drops water on the soil surface near the plant’s roots, preventing the wetting of foliage. This prevents the plants from foliage diseases. 

However, the fungal spores of powdery mildew do not germinate on a wet surface in Roses. That is why rose growers keep the foliage misted during the severe attack season. (Trigiano & Gray, 1999)

Tillage Practices:

The pathogens can survive either in the soil or in the litter/fallen leaves/stubbles. Cultural practices like plowing, removing fallen leaves, and previous crop stubbles decrease the 60% chances of disease attack because the spores, eggs would be exposed to the air and would not germinate or hatch. 

For example, Sclerotia’s spores survive only for one year in the soil. When proper crop rotation is practiced, it will eliminate its spores from the soil. 

Organic Mulching: 

Mulching is a practice of covering the soil surface with organic material such as compost, leaf manure, wheat or rice straw, Vermicompost, etc., to minimize water loss through evaporation. Mulching has a clear role in controlling the spread of disease. It stops the mobility of spores within the soil, releases beneficial microbes into the soil that kills the pathogenic microbes, and prevents the spread of disease. 

Mulching plays an indirect role in the control of diseases. Whether it is alive or partially decomposed mulch, it does never involve directly controlling any disease-causing mechanism or pathogen. 

Adopt Good Sanitation Practices:

Good sanitation is crucial for all types of gardens but most importantly, in the vegetable garden. It involves: 

  • The annual trimming and pruning of plants to remove the diseased or dead leaves and branches.
  • Keep the soil clean; no plant debris and weeds should be present within/near plants.
  • Check plants regularly to keep track of and detect the attack of disease or insects. 
  • Properly disinfect all the garden equipment before and after use.
  • Preferably, select the disease-resistant varieties of plants, plant at the right time.

Quick Solutions to Gardens Plant’s Diseases: 

Powdery Mildew and Blackspot in Roses:

The appearance of white power on the leaves first and then on the shoots and remaining parts of the plant. It is a fungal disease caused by Podosphaera panosa. In the black spot, black-colored fungus grows on leaves, stops photosynthesis, and severely reduces the plant vigor. Diplocarpon rosae causes it. Both diseases attack in spring when moisture is high.

Take two teaspoons of baking soda, half teaspoon of any liquid soap, 2 quarts of water, mix well, pour in a spray bottle, and mist on the plant before the symptoms show.

Garlic Soup for all kinds of Bacteria and Fungi:

 Common garden plants like tulip, peony, chrysanthemum, lemon, guava, etc., are all susceptible to and attacked by bacteria and fungi when environmental conditions are favorable. “Garlic Soup” is a natural remedy, prepared by grinding two cloves or 4-5 leaves of garlic, add one-quart of water into it, and blend for six minutes. Strain the mixture, add 1/8 teaspoon of liquid soap, and store it in an airtight bottle. Whenever you have to spray it, take out 1 part garlic soup, mix ten parts of water and spray it on sick leaves. Garlic leaves and cloves have been scientifically proven to have disease-preventing properties. (Slusarenko, Patel, & Portz, 2008)

Biological Fungicide:

Biological fungicide utilizes the “Bacillus subtilis” as a control in stopping the fungi from producing spores. This naturally occurring bacteria is present in both our soil and the human gut, where it interferes with fungal spore/disease destruction. It controls anthracnose, botrytis, black spot, early blight, etc. It is widely available in the market, manufactured, and sold by different brands. Bacillus subtilis also has growth-promoting properties. (Wang, Zhao, Shen, Jing, & Zhang, 2018) 

Remedy for Fungal Headaches:

Plant pathologists have recommended an “Aspirin” solution to control fungal diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, black spot, etc., in vegetables (tomato, beans, etc.) and flowering annuals. Take two tablets of uncoated aspirin (650 mg total), mix in 1 quart of water, and spray on the leaves. It will harm only the pathogenic fungi and not the beneficial insects and plants. (Senaratna, Touchell, Bunn, & Dixon, 2000)

Control of Disease-Causing Insects:

Protection of Scented Herbs-Controlling the Creepy Crawlers:

Scented garden plants such as lavender, basil, rose, mint, wormwood, sage, tansy, rosemary, etc., are often attacked by leafhoppers, aphids, mites, cabbage loppers, cucumber beetle, etc. You can make a quick and easy brew to control all through one. Take a few leaves of basil, crush them gently, add them to a net sack, place the sack in a bottle of at least half gallon water, and expose it to the sun for a few days to brew it. After that, remove the solid (sack along with basil leaves) from the bottle and store it for spray as an insecticide whenever you need it. 

Note: Dilute it with 1/8 teaspoon of liquid soap before using.

Controlling Aphids and Spider Mites:

Plant scientists at Purdue University recommended a homemade remedy to control aphids and spider mites that can harm many garden plants. Take two cups of wheat flour, ¼ cup of buttermilk, and mix in 1.5-2 gallons of water.

Note: always spray in the morning (when the temperature is below 29 degrees Celsius) to avoid leaf sunburned.

Controlling Japanese Beetles:

Japanese beetles kept gardeners worried for many years. They are chewing and can eat the whole garden if not controlled. Take 10-20 leaves of Delphinium, add one gallon of water and blend well. (Ladd Jr, Jacobson, & Buriff, 1978)

References:

Ladd Jr, T., Jacobson, M., & Buriff, C. (1978). Japanese beetles: extracts from neem tree seeds as feeding deterrents. Journal of economic entomology, 71(5), 810-813.

Senaratna, T., Touchell, D., Bunn, E., & Dixon, K. (2000). Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin) and salicylic acid induce multiple stress tolerance in bean and tomato plants. Plant Growth Regulation, 30(2), 157-161.

Slusarenko, A. J., Patel, A., & Portz, D. (2008). Control of plant diseases by natural products: Allicin from garlic as a case study. Sustainable disease management in a European context, 313-322.

Trigiano, R. N., & Gray, D. J. (1999). Plant tissue culture concepts and laboratory exercises: CRC press.

Wang, X., Zhao, D., Shen, L., Jing, C., & Zhang, C. (2018). Application and mechanisms of Bacillus subtilis in biological control of plant disease Role of rhizospheric microbes in soil (pp. 225-250): Springer.

Endophytes and Our Gardens

Endophytes are the living organisms, either bacteria or fungi (rarely viruses), that live between the living plant cells. They establish a symbiotic association with the plants without transmitting any disease. Endophytes are known to be present in many plants that have been studied and have been found to enhance the plant’s ability to tolerate abiotic stresses and resistance to pathogens, disease, and insect pest attacks.

Classification of Endophytes

Endophytes are classified into two groups depending upon the physiology and functioning nature. 

Systematic and Non-Systematic Endophytes

Systematic Endophytes (SE)

  • The organisms live within the plant tissues throughout their life cycle and do not harm their host.
  • SE do not change their host for the entirety of their life cycle i.e., their diversity and concentration would not change.                         

Non-Systematic Endophytes (NSE)

  • Non-Systematic endophytes are the organisms that live within the plant tissues as far as the host is providing enough food.
  • NSE harm their host under resource-limited or undesirable conditions, i.e., become pathogenic endophytes.

 Clavicipitaceous and Non-Clavicipitaceous

 Clavicipitaceous Endophytes

  • These endophytes live and proliferate in cool and warm-season grasses.
  • They develop varied relationships with the plants ranging from pathogenic to symbiotic.
  • Improve plant biomass
  • Improve drought-tolerance
  • Decrease herbivory (release toxic chemicals that make plants un-appetizing for the predators).
  • Do not cause any disease/harm to the host

Non-Clavicipitaceous Endophytes

  • These endophytes are typically Ascomycota fungi and can live either dependent upon the host plant or independently.
  • They are adapted to colonize both the below ground, above-ground plant tissues.
  • Develop resistance against habitat-specific stresses such as salinity, temperature, and pH, etc.
  • These endophytes have been the most widely researched organisms due to the unusual benefits that they provide to their host plants.

Advantages and Applications of Endophytes

Endophytes are an essential component of Integrated Pest Management due to their eco-friendly nature. They protect plant commodities, inhibit pest attacks, and do no harm to the soil and environment. For example, inoculation of Acromonium Lolli and Acromonium in grass species of Lolium perenne and Festuca is commercially available, giving the grasses tolerance against foliar lawn pests (chinch bugs, armyworms, webworms, etc.).

Endophytes have become a primary concern of all plant-development-related research. Endophytes play an essential role in improving plant yield, combating stresses, inhibiting disease and pest attack through nitrogen fixation, inheriting resistance, and through alkaloid productions, respectively.

Phytoremediation:

Phytoremediation through endophytes is the use of plant-microbe interaction to remediate polluted oil, water, and the atmosphere. 

Phytoremediation of Crude-oil contaminated soils:

Two endophytic bacteria, “Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain BRRI 54 and Acinetobacter strain BRSI 56,” have been inoculated into the two types of grass “Leptochloa fusca and Brachiaria mutica.” The metabolic activity and colonization patterns of endophytic bacteria enhanced the plant growth and the degradation of crude oil for remediating the vegetated soils. Research results showed that the maximum crude oil degradation was achieved through B. mutica compared with the L. fusca. The use of these grasses in lawns and gardens not only absorbs heavy metals from the soil but also filters polluted air through phytoextraction and phyto-absorption. (Fatima, Imran, Amin, Khan, & Afzal, 2016)

Remediation of Saline Soils:

Bioaugmentation of endophytic strains in Helianthus annuus has been studied for its reclamation of saline and Ni-affected soil properties. “P. libanensis TR1, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and Claroideoglomus BEG2210″ are the bacterial strains that were used. The results showed improved plant growth, improved nickel-sodium accumulation potential, and better physiological status. (Ma, Rajkumar, Oliveira, Zhang, & Freitas, 2019)

Agriculture:

Modern agriculture aims at producing better quality crops both in yield and nutrition. 

  • In New Zealand, the attack of Argentine stem weevil on ryegrass has been controlled through the insertion of AR1 and AR37 strains of endophytic bacteria. The additional advantage of this association is that the grass does remain palatable for the livestock. (Fletcher, 1999)
  • The use of living organisms to control and suppress the pest population, diseases, and plant growth is a successful effort towards sustainable agriculture . Bio-inoculated varieties of grasses (ryegrass, Festuca grass species, etc.), evergreen trees (poplar tree) have been introduced in agriculture and forestry to bring innovation in overall agriculture. (Jain & Pundir, 2017)
  • The alarming use of insecticides and pesticides in controlling common garden pests has become a major concern among environmentalists. Because the damage these chemicals are causing to the soil, air, and ecosystem is drastic. In this situation, the introduction of various endophytes having insecticidal properties proved to be efficient. For example, Indole Diterpenes (Insecticide effective against Blowfly weevil), known as nodulisporic acid, is present in wild olive. 

Medicinal Properties:

Bioprospecting has uncovered natural products derived from endophytes. These have anti-parasitic, antimicrobial, insulin, neuro-protective, immune-suppressant, and cytotoxic, and antibiotic properties. (Egan et al., 2016)

  • The alkaloid “Beauvericin” has cytotoxic action against tumor cells found and harvested from the fungus F. oxysporum.
  • “Pestalotiopsis” has resistance against multi-drug resistant tuberculosis Staphylococcus aureus and many other antimicrobial effects.

Plant use Endophytic Fungi in Defense:

Endophytic fungi develop a symbiotic relationship with plants and help to activate the plant’s defense mechanism against herbivores. Endophytes improve the nutrient uptake capability of plants through secondary metabolite production. This alteration in chemical composition aids in discouraging herbivory and non-herbivory damage. (Mengistu, 2020)

Herbivory prevention:

The plants bearing endophytic association are less likely to be damaged by the substantial herbivores. Endophytes control invertebrate and vertebrate herbivores through reduced reproductive rate, avoidance, reduced feeding, and decreased immunity. (Bamisile, Dash, Akutse, Keppanan, & Wang, 2018)

Disadvantages of Endophytes to livestock:

Resistance to fungal infections caused by herbivores provides an environmentally sustainable alternative against pesticides. The result was beneficial for the plants but not for the livestock. The endophytic defense chemicals have reported decreasing pregnancy rates and increased birth issues in livestock, especially in cows. The use of endophytes in the enhancement of yield must be considered before their application. (Gundel, Pérez, Helander, & Saikkonen, 2013)

Q: what plants have endophytes?

A: Endophytes have been found in few evergreen trees and most grass species such as ryegrass, fescue grass, etc. However, the presence in all kinds of plants has not been reported yet. 

Q: Are endophytes harmful?

A: Not all endophytes are harmful, and not all are beneficial. Scientists have characterized the beneficial endophytes as “selective or animal-friendly.”

Q: How do plants obtain endophytes?

A: Endophytes are transmitted through three ways: 1) Vertical Transmission: through infected plant’s seeds. 2) Horizontal transmission: i.e., through sexual spores of infected plants. 3) Mixture of vertical and horizontal life cycles.

Q: What are endophytic algae?

A: Endophytic algae are microscopic organisms that live inside macroscopic seaweeds. For example, Ulvella leptochaeta is an endophytic algae known to enhance its host’s immunity against several diseases. 

Q: Describe the role of endophytes in plants?

 A: Endophytes develop a symbiotic association with their host plants, i.e., they obtain food and shelter from the plants and, in response, develop immunity against pathogens, insects, and diseases and enhance their growth and development.

Q: Are endophytes harmful?

A: Endophytes in fodder are harmful to livestock. However, the native grass species and those that develop without symbiotic association with the beneficial endophytes are not harmful to the plants.

Q: What are bacterial endophytes?

A: Endophytes are the microbial symbionts that live within the plants. They develop tolerance in plants against the abiotic stresses and are responsible for the development of healthy plants. When the plant is healthy, diseases will not attack.

References:

Bamisile, B. S., Dash, C. K., Akutse, K. S., Keppanan, R., & Wang, L. (2018). Fungal endophytes: beyond herbivore management. Frontiers in microbiology, 9, 544.

Egan, J. M., Kaur, A., Raja, H. A., Kellogg, J. J., Oberlies, N. H., & Cech, N. B. (2016). Antimicrobial fungal endophytes from the botanical medicine goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis). Phytochemistry Letters, 17, 219-225.

Fatima, K., Imran, A., Amin, I., Khan, Q., & Afzal, M. (2016). Plant species affect colonization patterns and metabolic activity of associated endophytes during phytoremediation of crude oil-contaminated soil. Environmental science and pollution research, 23(7), 6188-6196.

Fletcher, L. (1999). “Non-toxic” endophytes in ryegrass and their effect on livestock health and production. NZGA: Research and Practice Series, 7, 133-139.

Gundel, P. E., Pérez, L. I., Helander, M., & Saikkonen, K. (2013). Symbiotically modified organisms: non-toxic fungal endophytes in grasses. Trends in plant science, 18(8), 420-427.

Jain, P., & Pundir, R. K. (2017). Potential role of endophytes in sustainable agriculture-recent developments and future prospects. Endophytes: biology and biotechnology, 145-169.

Ma, Y., Rajkumar, M., Oliveira, R. S., Zhang, C., & Freitas, H. (2019). Potential of plant beneficial bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in phytoremediation of metal-contaminated saline soils. Journal of hazardous materials, 379, 120813.

Mengistu, A. A. (2020). Endophytes: Colonization, behaviour, and their role in defense mechanism. International Journal of Microbiology, 2020.

Top 7 Best Manual Pole Saws and Pruners for Landscaping in 2021

With the spring coming, young trees and bushes start growing at a much faster pace and require trimming before they get out of control. When you have tall bushes and trees to trim, your only choices are to buy a tall orchard ladder or a pole pruner. Don’t risk your neck trying to balance on a tall ladder and prune at the same time. One bad fall can really mess you up. Top quality pole pruners and saws can really make the job surprisingly easy and safe. They are lightweight, easy to handle, much longer than electric ones, and of course, there’s no risk of falling off the ladder because you won’t need one! We did extensive research to give you our list of the top 7 best manual pole saws and pruners for landscaping in 2021. 

Continue reading to learn about different types of pole saws and pruners and what to consider to select the best option for your needs.

Types of manual pole saws and pruners

Pruner and Saw combination

We really like the pruner and saw combination because it provides versatility and easier tree trimming. The saw on the pole can deal even with large and thick branches depending on the blade length, while the pruner can precisely and, most importantly, cleanly cut thin tree branches.  The only downside is that having both on the pole all of the time can make trimming in tight spaces more difficult.

Traditional rope pruners

Traditional rope pruners are the ones that use a rope outside the pole to prune branches. The cutting mechanism is very simple; when you move the rope downwards, the blade moves up to the hook and cuts anything in its way. The rope can be pulled from the end, middle, or top part of the pole. Rope pruners are nice because you can hold the pole in almost any position and always reach the rope. The only downside is that sometimes branches will get twisted in the rope.

Ropeless (handle) pruners

pole pruner
handle pruner

Ropeless or handle pole pruners have a handle at the end of the pole, which is connected to the blade with a rope, string, cable, or mechanism inside the pole. Using the handle to control the cutting mechanism is easier, and you don’t have a rope getting in the way, but it forces you to always hold the pole by the handle.

What to consider when buying a pole saw and pruner?

Tree branch thickness

If your backyard or garden is full of trees with thin branches, then a pruner will be sufficient. For medium-sized trees, a combination of a saw and pruner works best. That way, you can quickly and cleanly cut thin branches while sawing off the thicker ones. 

For larger trees with thick branches, you’ll need a saw with a longer blade. This will reduce the time and effort required to cut a thick branch.

Pole length

It may seem obvious, but some people forget to check how tall their trees are before buying a pole saw. You don’t want to defeat the purpose of having a pole saw by needing to use it on a ladder. Be sure to understand how long of a pole you need before you buy.

Material

These days most saws and pruners from reputable brands will be made from a high-quality material like fiberglass or a combination of fiberglass & aluminum. They are incredibly lightweight and not that expensive anymore. Don’t settle for any weaker or cheaper materials. 

Best Manual Pole Saws and Pruner Reviews in 2021

Corona TP 6870 MAX RazorTOOTH DualCOMPOUND Action 14-ft. Tree Pruner


The Corona TP 6870 Max pole saw, and pruner is one of the sharpest pole saws you can get without spending a fortune. With up to 6 teeth per inch, the razor tooth 13-inch saw blade cuts quicker, cleaner, and with less effort. Impulse hardened blade also adds improved durability even when constantly used on thick and wet trees.

The dual-compound tree pruner has a durable fiberglass pole with an adjustable 7′ to 14′ length. We are surprised by the chain-drive action pulley system and very sharp zinc alloy pruning head that cuts through branches (up to 1¼-inch) like a hot knife through butter. The TP 6870 Max pole weighs just over 3 pounds and has a comfortable 24-inch foam handle to firmly and comfortably hold while sawing. 

We would love the pole to be a 4′ – 6′ longer for the price it’s being sold, but the pruner and saw blade sharpness and quality are undeniable and makes it the best manual pole saw and pruner on our list.

Key Features:

  • Reaches up to 14-feet
  • Comfortable foam grip
  • Rope pull system
  • 13-inch saw blade
  • Limited lifetime warranty
  • Pruner cutting capacity: 1¼ inches

Weaknesses:

  • Quite expensive
  • Not very long

Fiskars 14 Foot Power-Lever Extendable Tree Pruner

Anyone who has ever done any landscaping or gardening work has used one or another Fiskars tool and knows that they are durable, sturdy, and easy to handle. Fiskars’ 14-foot extendable tree pruner and pole saw is no exception and even comes with a lifetime warranty.

The pole extends up to 14-foot and has a quick release lock that allows for a rapid and safe extension or contraction. At the top of the pole, you’ll have a long 15-inch WoodZig saw blade to cut even thick branches. In contrast, smaller branches are easier to cut with the fully hardened and precision ground, steel pruning blade. 

The only drawback is the almost 6 pounds weight of the pole, which might be too heavy for some people, especially if you need to do a lot of pruning. Other than that, Fiskars 93016059J is the best quality manual pole saw and pruner for landscaping if you’re on a budget.

Key Features:

  • High-quality solid build
  • 15-inch saw blade
  • Pruner cutting capacity: 1½ inches
  • Budget price
  • 14-foot fiberglass pole
  • Quick-release lock
  • Lifetime warranty

Weaknesses:

  • Not as light as competition

Jameson LS-6PKG-6 LS-Series Landscaper Pole Saw Kit with 3 Poles

If you have different height trees in your backyard, Jameson LS-6PKG-6 saw kit is a fantastic product for both professionals and beginners. The three-pole system allows you to use the pole with 6, 12, and even 18 feet lengths. The easy assembly and disassembly allow for a quick length change to switch between different trees. 

The top of the pole is equipped with a sharp 16-inch Barracuda Tri-cut saw blade to cut thick branches. When using both extensions, the pole weighs 8 pounds which is quite heavy for a manual pole saw; however, when sawing with long poles, the gravity force from extra weight gives you additional sawing power.

At first, we were uncomfortable with the thicker pole, but when you use the pole with both extensions, the thickness makes the pole less wiggly and makes it easier to control.

Key Features:

  • Three pole system for various heights
  • Up to 18-feet reach
  • 16-inch Barracuda Tri-cut saw blade
  • Sturdy for a long pole

Weaknesses:

  • No pruner blade for small branches
  • The three piece handle makes it a bit more cumbersome to carry around and a bit harder to extend.

Milliard 6-16 Foot Extendable Tree Pruner/Pole Saw 


Make branch trimming and cutting a breeze with the Milliard 6 to 16 feet extendable tree pruner pole. Milliard products have high-quality standards, decent pricing, and friendly customer support as an added bonus.

We like that the pole has an adjustable length. You can make it any length from 6 to 16 feet. We did notice that you need to use extra force to tighten the length locking mechanism properly. 

The head of the pole is equipped with a 14-inch saw blade, with every tooth having three sharp sides. You have a sharp pruner head with a double pulley system for effortless and clean cuts for thin branches.

Made from fiberglass, it’s very easy to maneuver, even for weaker landscapers. Finally, the adjustable length versatility makes the Milliard extendable pole saw and pruner one of the best options for beginners.

Key Features:

  • Double pulley system
  • Firm but lightweight fiberglass pole
  • Foam handle for comfort
  • Up to 16-feet reach
  • 14-inch carbon steel saw blade
  • Pruner cutting capacity: 1¼ inches
  • Adjustable rope handle for easy grip

Weaknesses:

  • The pole length locking mechanism could be tighter.

Talitare 10-foot Pruning Pole Saw 


Don’t have tall trees and need a budget pole saw for the occasional trimming once or twice a year? The Talitare 10-foot pole saw is the best budget pole saw on our list for the infrequent landscaper.

The Talitare pole saw is assembled from 5 pieces so that you can adjust the pole from 4 to 10-foot length. The head of the pole has a long and sharp saw blade (2 blades included) with a hook to help you stay on track when sawing.

This pole saw pruner doesn’t feel as sturdy or high-quality as competition, but you can’t ask for more with this budget price. A lightweight and easy-to-handle pole saw for simple landscaping chores.

Key Features:

  • Adjustable 4 – 10 foot length
  • Lightweight
  • Great budget price
  • Stainless steel rods

Weaknesses:

  • Rusts quicker than expected
  • Build not very sturdy

Jameson FG-6PKG-7 FG-Series Manual Pole Saw and Tree Pruner


If you’re looking for a heavy-duty pole pruner and saw Jameson FG-6PKG-7 is your best bet. This set includes two 6′ poles for a maximum of 12′ feet reach, a saw blade head, and a pruner head. 

The fiberglass pole is very sturdy and lightweight; however, the Jameson FG series poles are a touch thicker than most. With the added heavy-duty interchangeable heads, the pole weighs 10 pounds and might be too heavy for some users.

As expected, Jameson prides in their extra sharp 16-inch Barracuda Tri-cut saw blade and the double pulley pruner system for easy sawing and cutting. 

If you don’t mind the higher price tag and are ready to invest in a long-lasting pole saw and pruner, the FG-6PKG-7 is the best pole saw and pruner for more frequent use that will last you years.

Key Features:

  • 16-inch Barracuda Tri-Cut saw blade
  • Up to 12-foot reach
  • Sturdy and stiff fiberglass pole
  • Double pulley system
  • Interchangeable pruner and saw blade heads

Weaknesses:

  • Quite heavy
  • Expensive

Corona TP 3206 SwivelCUT Long Reach Pruner

Have vines, small trees, and bushes that need occasional trimming? Do back problems prevent bending or working close to the ground? Corona TP 3206 is a fantastic long-reach pruner to avoid constant bending and straining.

We love the engineering of this 62-inch lightweight pole. The pruning mechanism can work in two ways. The first one is to use the handle at the bottom and pull it towards you. It allows it to reach higher branches or vines but takes a bit of practice to master. The second method is to pull the sliding grip in the middle of the pole, which works well when cutting nearby. 

Finally, it’s essential to appreciate the 360 degrees swivel head that allows you to cut from any angle and reach into tight spaces. This is definitely, one of the best small pole pruners for people with back problems.

Key Features:

  • PowerGlide comfortable grip
  • 360 degrees swivel head
  • Pruner cutting capacity: 1¼ inches
  • Ergonomic design

Weaknesses:

  • Short pole

How Do I Use a Manual Pole Pruner?

Using a pole pruner is pretty straightforward. You have to select the branch you want to cut and position it between the blade and the hook, then pull on the string or press the handle to engage the cutting mechanism. Just remember, most pole pruners can handle up to 1 to 1.5-inch thick branches. If you force it too much and try to cut thicker branches, the blade is likely to get stuck. Also, be sure to never twist the blade while cutting or the blade might bend or the mechanism might break. Always cut the branch close to where it joins the larger branch to avoid dead little stubs. As with any tall tool, be sure to never use a pole of any kind near electrical wires. Many people get electrocuted every year by allowing their pole to touch the power wires.

How Do I Use a Manual Pole Saw?

Using a manual pole saw is pretty straightforward as well. You need to move the pole using an up and down stroke motion. Don’t use any force when moving upwards because you are lifting the pole and fighting saw and branch friction simultaneously. On the way down, use more force; the combination of pole weight, gravity, and your pull will create a powerful stroke. As with any tall tool, be sure to never use a pole of any kind near electrical wires. Many people get electrocuted every year by allowing their pole to touch the power wires.

Top 7 Best Handheld Electric Saws for Landscaping in 2021

Every homeowner has at least one small hand saw in their garage for simple DIY projects or regular tree and landscape maintenance. A simple tree pruning saw might be enough to cut a few small branches, a plastic pipe, or some 2×4’s, but if you have a large backyard or are going to work on more significant DIY projects, it’s going to be a long and strenuous workout. These days we have access to many different handheld electric saws that can save you countless hours of time and energy. Today we’re going to show you the top 7 best handheld electric saws for landscaping in 2021 to help you create the most beautiful backyard in the neighborhood without breaking a sweat.

Types of handheld electric saws

You can find a plethora of different types of handheld electric saws, but the most popular are these four types:

Chainsaw 

saw chain

A chainsaw has a set of sharp linked teeth located on a chain that runs at high speed around a steel panel. These iconic saws used by lumbermen and emergency services are designed to cut even the largest trees quickly. Electric chainsaws are not as powerful as their gas powered counterpart, but they can offer a quick, convenient, and easy way to trim or cut smaller trees.

Reciprocating saw

These saws are very popular because of their versatility, ease of use, heavy-duty, and maneuverability. With many different blade choices, they can cut not only wood but metal, tiles, plastic, etc. Reciprocating saws work by pushing and pulling the blade in short but rapid strokes. These saws are not the most precise and you will find it difficult to make straight cuts, but if you are looking to rip through some wood in a hurry, this might be the saw for you. We often use a reciprocating saw to help cut out old stumps. It is easier and more precise than an axe and doesn’t dull like a chainsaw. Always be careful if sawing into the ground, these saws will cut right through wire and pipe also. You can use them for small DIY projects, tree pruning, hardscaping, or even demolition.

Jigsaw

Similar to a reciprocating saw, Jigsaws have a blade that quickly moves in and out of the saw. The main two differences between a reciprocating saw and a jigsaw are a downward pointing blade and a much narrower blade that allows making non-straight cuts. This makes the jigsaw a perfect tool for detailing but not as useful for landscaping. If you want to cut out a curvy pattern in plywood, a jigsaw would be the perfect choice.

Circular saw

As the name suggests, these saws have a disc-shaped blade. They can be used freehand, with a parallel guide fence, or mounted on a sawmill. Professionals and amateurs often use this type of saw for their construction projects. This type of saw can create a very precise and straight cut into wood or plywood, so it’s often used during house construction, renovation, building a patio, fences, etc. A circular saw, with its flat, circular blade and flat deck, is meant to cut square lumber such as two by fours or plywood and is not well suited for tree branches or pruning.

What to consider before buying an electric handheld saw?

What are you going to cut?

Best electric chainsaw
Andrewa, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Different landscaping tasks may require different types of saws. Reciprocating saw will be sufficient for most small backyard chores, quick DIY projects, or landscaping tasks. If your backyard is full of large and thick trees that need to be cut, you might be better off with a chainsaw since a reciprocating saw will take way longer, and the blade is just not long enough to cut through a thicker tree.

Safety features

You need to be extremely careful when using power tools like saws. Besides wearing personal protective equipment and properly handling your tools, look for extra safety features like anti-slip handles, splash protection, overheat protection, or auto shut off if the blade gets stuck.

Ergonomics

Most electric saws used for landscaping look very similar, but when you pick them in your hands, you might have a totally different experience. To reduce strain on your hands and back, make sure the saw has ergonomic grips. Handles that are too thick may result in a lesser grip and less control of the blade. 

If you’re working in tight spaces, make sure the saw is compact and maneuverable enough to reach those small cuts.

Battery or Corded

Some electricity-powered saws are on a cord plugged into a socket, while others use lithium-ion batteries. Corded saws usually have more power, but you’ll have to drag the cord behind. If you need to go high up a tree or go further away from the house in your large backyard, a battery-powered saw is way more convenient even if you have to sacrifice some power. Being a landscape professional, I like to have both corded and battery power tools. Battery power is great if you always have the battery charged up and ready to go, but if you only use the tool occasionally, you can’t beat a corded tool that is ready to go at all times.

Power

Most battery-powered saws will have an 18V or 20V power which is plenty for simple softscaping or hardscaping tasks. A 12V saw will be lighter and great for smaller cuts but might struggle with larger trees or thicker material. We usually advise going for an 18V or 20V saw, which is able to do both smaller and larger cuts. 

Corded saws have their power measured in Amps. 10-12 Amp power will have no trouble with trees in your backyard, simple woodcuts, or thin plastic, metal, and concrete cuts. If your project involves thicker trees and tougher material, go for a 15 Amp power saw. The more amps the saw draws, the more power it will have.

Best Handheld Electric Saw Reviews

BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX Cordless Reciprocating Saw Kit with extra 4Ah battery


Black & Decker is a well-known American power tools manufacturer known for its high-quality tools for professionals and everyday amateur users. Black & Decker 20V cordless reciprocating saw is the best handheld electric saw for landscaping on our list in 2021 because of portability, power, high quality, and reasonable price.

Their 20V MAX PowerConnect battery provides enough power to cut through wood, plastic, fiberglass, nails, and more if you have a proper blade. Their PowerConnect technology allows swapping the battery with any other MAX PowerConnect tool battery. The only weakness is that the battery lasts 30-60 minutes of sawing and takes 2-3 hours to charge. For more significant DIY projects or larger landscaping tasks, we advise getting an extra battery.

We love that this saw is compact, ergonomic, and lightweight. Weighing just 12 pounds makes it very maneuverable, especially when working in tight spaces, in or around trees. Nonslip handles and pivoting blade shoe adds extra precision and versatility for non-straight cuts.

Key Features:

  • 20V Max (18V nominal) power lithium-ion battery
  • Up to 3,000 SPM
  • Outstanding control and safety with power brake
  • Different speed settings
  • Pivoting blade shoe
  • Compact and maneuverable
  • Lightweight
  • 2-year warranty

Weaknesses:

  • Quite expensive with the extra battery

GALAX PRO Reciprocating Saw


Galax Pro company mainly targets occasional DIYers and amateur landscapers. Their products are very budget-friendly, but as expected, are of lower quality. If you just need a lightweight saw for casual yard work or a simple woodworking project, Galax Pro is the best budget reciprocating saw kit on our list. 

Along with the cordless reciprocating saw, you’ll get three wood blades, two metal blades, a 20V battery, and a fast charger.

The saw has an ergonomic design with soft rubber handles that fit nicely in your hand and allow for a tight grip, which you will need since the saw does produce quite a bit of vibration.

Despite the lower build quality and a weak battery, Galax Pro reciprocating saw has a 2-year warranty, is a very cheap, lightweight, and powerful saw for almost any sawing needs inside and outside the house.

Key Features:

  • 20V power
  • 3000 SPM
  • 2 Ah battery with fast charge
  • Ergonomic design
  • No tools required to change the blade
  • Light and portable
  • Cheap

Weaknesses:

  • Produces a lot of vibration
  • Not great battery

Snowtaros 4-Inch Mini Chainsaw

If your backyard is full of trees or bushes and you constantly need to trim twigs, branches, and tree limbs, Snowtaros mini chainsaw is a fantastic portable alternative to large and bulky chainsaws.

This budget electric chainsaw weighs just 700g allowing it to be used with just one hand. A comfortable anti-slip handle allows for a good grip and doesn’t require much strength; therefore, everyone can use this chainsaw.

A powerful 24V battery will cut through tree branches and twigs for 1.5 hours before needing a recharge. This mini chainsaw has an anti-splash guard for a cleaner operation, while the overheat protection and safety switch provides extra safety.

Yes, this mini chainsaw won’t be able to saw through large and thick trees but is perfect for backyards full of smaller trees or bushes. Keep in mind, you are purchasing a very economical saw, do expect it to cut like a saw of twice the price.

Key Features:

  • 24V power
  • Portable
  • Extremely lightweight – just 700g
  • Overheat protection
  • Anti-splash guard
  • 1.5h battery life

Weaknesses:

  • It can be used only on wood

Milwaukee Electric Tool 2520-21XC M12 Hackzall Saw Kit


The Milwaukee M12 Hackzall saw kit is a great reciprocating saw kit from a respectable power tools manufacturer. The high-quality light, portable and maneuverable M12 reciprocating saw is perfect for light landscaping jobs and should last you a long time.

We love the saw’s portability, which allows us to use it with one hand while on a ladder or a tree. There’s also a neat LED light to work in dark spaces or nighttime. The whole saw weighs just 4 pounds, so if you can hold an electric screwdriver, you’ll be very comfortable with M12.

The 3000 strokes per minute speed is powered by 12V power and a 4ah battery. It is nice to have a larger battery that charges in just 45 minutes, but the 12V power is a bit of a disappointment. When used on tough wet stumps, metal, or concrete, you can’t put too much strain, or else overload protection will kick in and shut down the motor. You’ll have to go slower and take time with harder materials.

If you don’t need to do a lot of cuts on solid materials, then the Milwaukee M12 reciprocating saw is one of the best and most portable handheld electric saws on our list.

Key Features:

  • 3000 SPM
  • 12V power 4ah battery
  • Battery charges in 45min
  • Sturdy, high-quality build
  • Compact size
  • Overload protection
  • Well balanced weight
  • LED light
  • Lightweight

Weaknesses:

  • Expensive
  • Much slower on tougher material

DEWALT DWE305 12 Amp Corded Reciprocating Saw


Yes, cordless power tools are amazing because they are much more portable and easier to maneuver, but If you’re constantly working in your garage or landscaping, you’ll get tired of recharging the batteries or buying new ones when they die. 

Dewalt DWE305 is a powerful 12 Amp corded reciprocating saw that will work at 100% power every time. 2,900 SPM allows for fast cuts through soft materials like wood, plastic, or drywall. If needed, you can adjust the speed setting for harder material to avoid overheating.

DWE305 is a very ergonomic saw because of the 4-position blade clamp. It allows you to cut different angles without the risk of holding the saw weirdly and messing up the cut or even hurting yourself.

If having a cord isn’t a deal-breaker, Dewalt DWE305 is the best corded electric saw for landscaping on our list. Nothing fancy, just powerful, high-quality product, ergonomic, and easy-to-use power tool.

Key Features:

  • 12 Amp power
  • 2,900 SPM
  • Solid build
  • Ten blades set included
  • Four-position blade clamp

Weaknesses:

  • Limited movement because of cord

WORX WG323 20V PowerShare 10″ Cordless 2-In-1 Electric Pole Saw & Chainsaw

We have another small chainsaw for all your tree pruning and cutting chores. Forget your ladder with the 2-in1 WG323 electric pole saw and chainsaw. 

Easy to attach and detach pole requires no extra tools and can be assembled in seconds. The 20V power spins the chain at 12.5 ft/s speed. The chainsaw is powerful, but the 2.0 ah battery included in the kit is a bit weak and dies quickly; for larger landscaping projects, make sure to get a backup battery.

When assembled, you’ll be able to reach dead branches up to 12 feet in height. When detached, you can use it as a fully functioning medium-sized chainsaw to cut wood, tree branches, or even small-medium tree logs. The chainsaw has an auto-chain tension and auto lubrication, so you don’t even need to touch the chain to do maintenance.

The fully assembled pole saw weighs almost 11 pounds and requires a bit of practice to balance and cut at the same time. We love that this combination eliminates the need for a ladder if you want to do some light and quick tree trimming. Yes, the battery is relatively weak and doesn’t last long but having two power tools for a budget price makes the WG323 one of the best electric pruning saws for beginners.

Key Features:

  • 20V power
  • Great price
  • 12′ reach
  • Auto chain tension and lubrication
  • Lightweight
  • Cheap

Weaknesses:

  • Weak two ah battery
  • Requires some practice to use the long pole

WORX WX550L Axis Convertible Jigsaw To Reciprocating Saw

Here is another excellent power tool from WORX. The jigsaw to reciprocating saw is a combination for casual landscapers and DIY enthusiasts. Worx WX550L is a convertible jigsaw-to-reciprocating saw that allows you to trim dead branches, cut a PVC pipe, and cut weird shapes in wood or drywall, all within a few minutes with the same tool.

The 20V power is powerful enough to go through tougher materials like metal pipes, fiberglass, or tiles. The 1.5 ah battery is a bit disappointing since it won’t last long. We advise getting a more powerful 4.0 ah battery and using the original as a backup.

If you’re doing landscaping and want to start with light and simple DIY projects, WX550L will give you two power tools for the price of one. 

Key Features:

  • Instantly switch from jigsaw to reciprocating saw
  • 20V power
  • Lightweight – 4.6 pounds
  • Orbital cutting
  • Integrated dust blower
  • Cheap

Weaknesses:

  • Weakish 1.5 ah battery

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cut other materials besides wood with an electric saw?

It depends on the saw and blade used. Most saws will cut through softer metals, tiles, or even concrete if fitted with a proper blade. The only exception would be chainsaws. A regular household chainsaw may cut through an occasional old nail in the wood, but it won’t do good on harder metals which will ruin the chain.

Do I need to lubricate the electric saw blade?

The majority of the best electric saws will be lubricated during manufacturing, and you don’t need to do any lubrication yourself. To precisely know if your saw needs additional lubrication, always read the user manual provided. If lubrication is required, you’ll find the type of lubricant needed in the manual and how to apply it. In general, reciprocating saws will not need lubrication, but chainsaws will.

What is the orbital setting on my jigsaw?

The orbital setting changes the jigsaw straight cut into an elliptical movement, increasing the cut speed and introducing extra vibration and tear-out when cutting. It’s a very handy setting if you want the fastest cut and don’t care if it looks good. For more precise cuts, use the lowest setting or 0 and avoid additional vibration or tear-out.

10 Best Barbecue Tools and Accessories in 2021

Grilling season is almost here, and everyone is anxious to whip out their charcoal or gas grills and get down to sizzling! If you want to grill amazing food with ease and keep your grill clean and well maintained, you need some extra barbecue tools and accessories. We’ve compiled a great list of the 10 best barbecue tools and accessories in 2021 to make grilling safer and hassle-free.

Which Barbecue Tools are Essential?

These grilling tools should be in every self-respecting grillers arsenal:

Grilling tongs 

grilling tongs

It’s pretty straightforward – you’re not going to use your hands to flip steaks or rearrange red hot charcoal. Every griller needs to have at least one pair of tongs to operate the grill. 

Spatula

grilling spatula

Spatulas are essential because they can pick a burger or fish without breaking it, it can be used to press on burgers or steaks to get a perfectly even sear. Finally, it’s much easier to scoop loose veggies with a spatula and tongs combo.

Meat thermometer

For the best results when cooking meats, a thermometer is a must. Even the most experienced grillers use a meat thermometer to know when their protein is at the perfect temperature. 

Charcoal starter

We know many people don’t use a charcoal starter, and they’re missing out big time. A charcoal starter saves you a lot of time and allows you to heat charcoal uniformly every time. For a more comprehensive selection, check out our Top 9 Best Charcoal Starters article.

Heat resistant gloves

bbq gloves

It’s obvious you’re going to be dealing with heat, your hands especially, so make sure to protect them with heat-resistant gloves. These gloves will protect you from open flame, oil splashes, or hot metal surfaces. Having your hands protected from the heat also provides more functionality and flexibility around the grill since you can touch and move more hot things.

Apron

bbq apron

Splashing oil and food drippings on your fancy clothes is never a pleasing incident. Get an apron to protect your clothes and look like the boss of the grill.

Grilling grate cleaning brush

After grilling or between numerous dishes, you should always clean up your grate. This will make your grate last way longer, and you’ll avoid tasting burnt food the next time you grill.

Nice to have accessories:

Grill basket

Grilling baskets aren’t that popular or well-known, but they’re a fantastic tool if you like barbecuing veggies. You can dump a load of chopped veggies into the basket and cook them inside without any worry that they’ll fall into the grill. Alternatively, you can keep already cooked food in the basket. The meat or veggie juices will drip through the small gaps and won’t let the food soak.

Basting brush

Sauce up your chicken, ribs, or any other protein you like with a silicone basting brush.

Ash bucket

After all the charcoal burns and cools, it’s handy to have an ash bucket when cleaning your grill. 

10 Best Barbecue Tools and Accessories in 2021 to make grilling hassle-free

professional bbq cook

Best Grilling Tongs: OXO Good Grips 16-Inch Stainless Steel Locking Tongs


OXO Good Grips is well known for its high-quality and budget-friendly kitchen tools. The 16-inch stainless steel tongs are a perfect option for both beginner and expert grillers. The sturdy build features a rust-resistant stainless steel body, while the silicone handles provide a strong grip even when wet.

The locking mechanism provides easy storage in a kitchen drawer or hooked up on any kitchen or grill hooks. Cleaning is super easy as well; the whole construction is dishwasher safe.

OXO tongs are inexpensive, sturdy, easy to use, and clean – a must for every griller.

Best Grilling Spatula: Weber 6673 Original Wide Spatula


If you ever cook fish or burgers, you must have a spatula along with your tongs. Weber 6673 wide spatula will let you flip even the biggest fish fillets without breaking them or pressing burgers to get a fantastic sear.

The ergonomic silicone strip on the handle allows for a solid grip. The spatula’s head has an angled neck allowing you to reach food near the edges of the grill without burning your hands.

This wide spatula is quite heavy because of its thicker body and feels very nice when operating. Weber even offers a 2-year limited warranty, which further assures the product quality.

Best Meat Thermometer: Saferell Instant Read Meat Thermometer for Cooking


The Saferell meat thermometer allows you to get meat temperature in just 2-3 seconds after sticking in the probe. The 4.6-inch probe is long enough, so you don’t get burnt from the grill or oil splashes.

Despite being very accurate and quick to show temperatures, Saferell thermometer’s most significant advantage is its IP67 waterproof rating. It’s not afraid of rain, splashes, or other liquids coming into contact. If it gets dirty or wet, wipe it down with soapy water, no dishwasher.

The large LED screen lets you correctly see the temperatures day or night, inside or outside. Safarell thermometer can flip between Celsius or Fahrenheit degrees and also allows you to set timers for desired temperatures.

Best Charcoal Starter: Weber 7447 Compact Rapidfire Chimney Starter


We all know how time-consuming and messy heating charcoal without a good starter can get. Weber Compact Rapidfire chimney charcoal starter is a very versatile and high-quality product. It’s small enough to take on a camping trip but can hold up to 40 charcoal briquettes for a medium grill. 

Just fill the chimney with your favorite charcoal, light up a few balls of newspaper or thin kindlings on the grill, pop the Weber chimney starter on top and leave it burning for good 15-20 minutes.

The stainless steel sturdy construction, cool-to-touch handle, heat protection plate, and budget price make it an easy purchase that will heat your charcoal faster, evenly and won’t require you to stand near the grill adjusting the coals.

Best Heat Resistant Gloves: GEEKHOM Grilling Gloves


Heat-resistant gloves are a must if you want to avoid burning your fingers or palm when handling hot grill lid, chimney starter, grates, and in general, anything that can get hot. GEEKHOM grilling gloves are made from BPA-free silicone and can handle temperatures from -104℉ to 446℉.

These chemical-free premium silicone gloves have a textured surface for better grip and cotton lining inside for comfort and sweat absorption. We love that they are gloves instead of mittens; this provides more flexibility and better grip on smaller parts.

Best Apron: FixGrub Chef Apron


FixGrub Chef Apron is a robust 100% cotton apron made for heavy use near the grill. It’s designed to protect your clothes from splashes, stains, and dirty hand marks. After use, just pop it into the dishwasher, and it’ll be ready for another BBQ party!

This apron is not only good-looking but also very versatile. You have an adjustable neck strap and long sleeves to fit any size BBQ professional. Additionally, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find a pocket for your smartphone, a convenient bottle opener, and a small hand towel included with the apron.

Best Grill Brush: GRILLART Grill Brush and Scraper


A grill brush is one of the most important barbecue tools to keep your grill and grates clean. GRILLART grill brush is an excellent high-quality grill brush to quickly scrub the grates and be ready for the next grilling.

This grill brush has way more bristles (the company claims three times more) than the competition making your cleaning easier and faster. We appreciate the angled surface of the brush and bristles that allow you to clean tight corners of the grill. GRILLART brush is soft enough to use on even delicate surfaces like porcelain.

Stainless steel construction with a wired woven design is exceptionally sturdy and can endure very harsh scrubbing, while a non-slip handle allows for a good grip.

Best Grill Basket: Grillaholics Heavy Duty Grill Basket


We discovered how good grill baskets are just a few years ago. Before, we had to meticulously stick them on a skewer if we wanted to grill smaller cut veggies like onion, carrots, bell pepper, etc. This took a lot of time and effort. With a Grillaholics grill basket, you can just dump all your cut and seasoned veggies straight into it and cook right on top of the grates. Want to cook mini sausages or shrimp? No problem, just use the basket and don’t risk them falling through the grill grates.

Another excellent use for a grilling basket is to rest cooked food in it. For some items like seared steak or veggies, you don’t want them sitting in their juice and getting soggy. A grill basket will allow all of the juice to run off through the thin holes.

All in all, the grilling basket is still a very underrated or just unknown grill accessory in 2021 that can replace skewers on most occasions and make your life way easier.

Best Basting Brush: Yalumo Silicone Basting Brush 


If you ever tried making barbecue ribs or chicken wings, you know you need a baster to spread that tasty sauce. Yalumo silicon basting brush is made from food-grade silicone and can stand up to 446℉ temperature. A long handle allows brushing the food without burning your hands, even on an open-flame grill.

Remember that you should always oil your cleaned grilling grates before putting food on to avoid it sticking. A basting brush like Yalumo is perfect for this task.

Best Ash Bucket: Plow & Hearth Double Bottom Metal Fireplace Ash Bucket


Another rarely mentioned barbecue accessory is a good ash bucket. No one really talks about cleaning the ash from the grill, but everyone knows they need to do it. Plow & Hearth double bottom ash bucket is a high-quality double-bottomed bucket with 3-gallon capacity and stylish black matte color.

The bucket has a tight powder-coated lid allowing you to keep it outside without worrying that the wind will blow out the ash all over your backyard. 

Plow & Hearth ash bucket is one of the best ash buckets that can keep even hot ash inside because of its double bottom. Cleaning the ash is a critical barbecue process to keep your grill neat and tidy.

Basic BBQ Tips

Clean the grill first

No one wants last week burnt chicken bits on a precious dry-aged rib-eye steak. Before every grilling, make sure to check if your grilling grates are clean and ready for the next session. If they’re not, use your grill brush and clean up. Nasty grates with old food charcoal not only will ruin your next meal but may even give you food poisoning.

Preheat the grill

When your charcoal is hot and ready, don’t start cooking food yet. Close your grill and leave it for 10-20 minutes and allow it to get hot. You want to put food in a hot grill and on hot grates to hear that sizzling sound. Preheating lets the food be cooked by direct heat from the grill and the grates instead of the indirect heat from the charcoal.

Close down the lid

Having your grill lid open exposes the fire to a lot of oxygen; this, in turn, makes the flame even bigger. If you want a quick sear on your burger or seafood, an open lid works fine, but for any thicker cuts, put the lid down to suffocate the flame but keep the same high temperature.

Have different heat zones

Flare-ups or too hot charcoal can catch anyone by surprise. For this reason, it’s advised to always have several heat zones on your grill. When you have your hot charcoal, don’t spread it evenly in the grill. Have a central hot zone where all the cooking will be done and a slightly colder zone. If your main zone flares up or just gets way too hot, you’ll have a place to move your food to a less hot area.

Monitor your meat heat

Before cooking, we all fantasize about how we’re going to bite into that perfectly cooked juicy steak or chicken breast; to achieve that fantasy every time, you need to use a thermometer. Eye-balling and timing might get you the result you want, but it varies from different grill heat, protein temperature, charcoal type, or even weather. 

Be safe; use your tools.

Many people think they’re smarter or more experienced while dealing with fire and sooner or later get burnt. Always wear heat-resistant gloves when handling charcoal starters, hot grill grates, or lids. Furthermore, use tongs, spatulas, brushes, and thermometers to deal with your food instead of your hands to stay safe and more efficient.

Top 7 Best Lawn Sprinklers for Your Backyard in 2021.

Properly watering your lawn when it is first getting established is probably one of the most important things to help you grow a healthy and beautiful lawn. Stop standing outside like a dud for half an hour every second day watering your lawn with a garden hose and get a lawn sprinkler. Sprinklers are very useful for ensuring that you get even and consistent coverage when watering. Today we’ll be going over the different types of lawn sprinklers and how to pick the best one for your landscape. We’ve also reviewed some of the most popular lawn sprinklers in the market and compiled our list of the top 7 best lawn sprinklers for your backyard in 2021.

Types of Lawn Sprinklers

Oscillating sprinklers

best backyard sprinkler
sprinkler

Oscillating sprinklers are one of the most popular sprinklers that are super easy to use and set up. Oscillating means that the sprinkler moves from one side to another or back and forth, spraying water in a set area that mimics how rain falls. Oscillating sprinklers are pretty good at covering a large area, considering they are stationary.

Rotary sprinklers

rotary sprinkler

A sprinkler with a rotating head with several sprinkler tips attached to it is called a rotary or rotating sprinkler. When the sprinkler receives pressure from turned on the water, it starts spinning the head and the arms pushing the water in all directions around itself. They are great at covering large circle-shaped areas. The higher pressure your hose can provide, the larger area it will cover.

Misting sprinklers

water mist

Misting sprinklers deliver water in a mist-like pattern and are perfect for greenhouses with seedlings or small or raised garden beds with flowers or delicate plants in general. The most significant disadvantages of misting sprinklers are evaporation and spray drift. If you live in an area with high winds or very hot days, the amount of water delivered from misting sprinklers will be much lower than more powerful water stream sprinklers.

Sprinkler hoses

Sprinkler hoses are garden hoses with many holes in them. A sprinkler hose can be used as a sprinkler if you point the holes upwards or as a soaker if they face the ground. Sprinkler hoses are great for watering garden beds or just seeded grass areas. They are great for occasional seasonal watering tasks as you can manually set them up in any pattern but don’t look very appealing on your landscape.

Fixed Pop-up sprinklers

A fixed spray pop-up sprinkler provides a constant circular fan-like flow of water for your garden and lawn. The most significant advantage is that when the watering is done, they automatically retract into the ground out of sight and don’t require any physical labor. Your grass and garden can be watered even when you’re on holiday. However, they do require some time and labor to install initially into your landscape.

Raised sprinklers

Raised fixed sprinklers are almost identical to pop-up sprinklers, but instead of popping up at a set time, they stay raised all the time. They are great to set up in smaller gardens close to your house, making them less visible but still providing water over plants and flowers to your grass.

Traveling sprinklers

The traveling sprinkler, as you can guess from the name, is one that can travel. These sprinklers are pretty new to the market but gaining popularity fast. A traveling sprinkler is moved by the water pressure and guided by the hose in a pattern that you can set up yourself. They have a rotating head on top to reach a larger area, but there are models with stationary spray heads too.

These sprinklers are great for larger landscapes that don’t have automatic or in-ground irrigation systems installed.

Impact sprinklers

Everyone knows the clacking sound some sprinklers make when they operate. These are the impact sprinklers, and the sound is created when a small paddle on the sprinkler hits the constant stream of water. Impact sprinklers can provide a lot more water at the same time compared to oscillating sprinklers. They can be adjusted at how far or wide the water stream will go.

What to Consider When Buying a Lawn Sprinkler

Lawn size

If you have a small backyard, you might be ok with just a simple oscillating sprinkler that you can relocate in a few spots to cover the whole area or install a couple of stationary raised fix-spray sprinklers.

If you have a large backyard with a lawn that needs constant watering, you something that doesn’t require a lot of manual labor like pop-up sprinklers, traveling sprinklers, or an impact sprinkler that can shoot the water stream very far. 

Materials and Construction

Most lawn sprinklers will either be made from plastic or some kind of metal. Plastic sprinklers will be cheaper than metal ones, but their construction will be weaker and won’t last as long. Metal sprinklers are more expensive and heavier but will last much longer because of their sturdy construction.

We would advise going for a metal construction sprinkler if you’ll be using it with high water pressure. Impact, traveling, or rotary sprinklers should have a sturdy build and construction to withstand constant water pressure.

Top 7 Best Lawn Sprinkler Reviews in 2021

Melnor 65074-AMZ XT Turbo Oscillating Sprinkler


We’re starting our list with Melnor 65074-AMZ XT Turbo, the best oscillating sprinkler on our list for a budget price. It can cover up to 4,500 sq. ft. area and has adjustable spray width and length. This allows to set up the sprinkler in a position where one side can spray water far away while the other can water only a thin bed of flowers.

Melnor gets a lot of praise for their budget pricing while still having sturdy plastic construction to last way longer than other plastic sprinklers. The only weakness of the sprinkler is that the oscillation sometimes gets stuck, and you may need to wiggle it a little.

Key features:

  • Covers up to 4,500 sq. ft. area
  • 20 precision nozzles
  • High-quality build
  • Comfortable stream adjustment
  • The durable Infinity turbo motor
  • Nice exterior
  • Budget price

Weaknesses:

  • Sometimes the oscillation stops

Dramm 15075 ColorStorm Spinning Sprinkler


Dramm 15075 is a relatively heavy but sturdy spinning sprinkler that can cover up 38 ft. in diameter with a thin spinning water stream similar to a mist. It is perfect for low water pressure systems like wells as it only needs the PSI to be above 20. 

It is a very simple sprinkler with no adjustments. On the one hand, all you need to do is connect the fittings and let the water run, but on the other hand, you can’t adjust the radius or water stream. The only workaround would be to play with your water pressure, increasing or decreasing how far the water mist will go.

The downside of the Dramm sprinkler is that many parts are made from brass and might contain some lead making the sprinkler not a suitable option for organic lawn growing or organic edibles.

Key features:

  • Water stream goes up to 38 feet in diameter
  • Heavy-duty sturdy build
  • Powder-coated and rust-free
  • Very simple and easy to use
  • Great for low-pressure water systems

Weaknesses:

  • Brass parts are not fit for organic grass or plants
  • No adjustments

GrowGreen Sprinkler, Rotating Lawn Sprinkler


The GrowGreen sprinkler is made from ABS plastic and rust-proof polymer. The build does feel very sturdy and has connections on both sides for multiple sprinkler systems. 

The rotating heads spin at 360 degrees radius while the three hands shoot out water up to 32.8 ft. distance and can cover up to 3,600 sq. ft. area, making it great for smaller lawns or backyards.

We were impressed that the plastic construction feels pretty solid and should be more durable than your regular plastic sprinkler. The only weakness we saw was the plastic connection which didn’t feel as it tightened properly and did leak a bit on higher pressure. Other than that, it’s a cheap but high-quality rotating sprinkler designed for small lawns.

Key features:

  • 360 degrees rotation
  • 32.8 ft. spray distance
  • Covers up to 3,600 sq. ft. area
  • Lightweight
  • Great for small lawns
  • Low price
  • Can connect multiple sprinklers

Weaknesses:

  • Low-quality connection

GARDENA ZoomMaxx Oscillating Sprinkler


Garden ZoomMaxx is a modern oscillating sprinkler designed for small lawns as it covers up to a 2,300 sq. ft. area. It has a stable base, so even high pressure won’t flip over the sprinkler. This oscillating sprinkler’s most significant selling point is that you have a lot of water stream customization freedom, making it perfect for weirdly shaped areas. You can adjust the width and the length of the water spray and even control the flow rate to avoid hitting an overhead hanging roof.

The sprinkler does cover quite a small area; however, if your lawn and garden have complex compositions with regions that don’t need watering, a few ZoomMaxx oscillating sprinklers could be set up to only water the area you want.

Key features:

  • Covers up to 2,300 sq. ft. area
  • Lightweight sprinkler
  • Stable base
  • Easy to adjust the width and length of water spray
  • Variable flor rate
  • Compact
  • Perfect for irregular lawns or gardens

Weaknesses:

  • It covers only a small area
  • Expensive

Kadaon 360 Degree Garden Sprinkler


If you’re looking for a cheap option, Kadaon 360 sprinkler is the best budget lawn sprinkler on our list that is super lightweight and easy to set up. All you need to do is connect the sprinkler with your hose and stick it into the grass in the area you want to be watered. It covers only a 3,000 sq. ft. area, but you can connect multiple sprinklers for more extensive coverage. The flow rate of the sprinkler is not very strong, so it takes a bit of time to water an area. However, when you connect multiple Kadoan sprinklers, they don’t lose pressure and evenly saturate the whole area.

The build is plastic and doesn’t feel very durable but comes at a bargain price for people on a budget.

Key features:

  • Covers up to 3,000 sq. ft area
  • Easy to set up
  • Very cheap

Weaknesses:

  • Not very durable
  • Small area coverage

Melnor 65067-AMZ Pulsating Sprinkler


This is another excellent product from lawn and watering products supplier Melnor. The 65067-AMZ Pulsating Sprinkler can shoot water streams up to 85 ft. in length, which is ideal for large landscapes. You can easily adjust the spray distance, coverage radius, and water diffusion. If needed, you can take out the radius adjustment pin, and the sprinkler will turn in circles covering 360 degrees area.

We love that the spray head and the base are made from metal, making it much heavier. Impact sprinklers operate at a higher water pressure to shoot out water further away. A heavier base allows the sprinkler to be much more stable. The only disadvantage of the build is that the head sometimes gets stuck at one side of the cycle and doesn’t get back. Increasing the water pressure seemed to fix the issues. 

Other than that, it’s the best impact sprinkler on our list suitable for a large lawn and won’t leave your pockets empty.

Key features:

  • Covers up to 5,600 sq. ft area
  • Shoots water up to 85′
  • It can be adjusted to cover 360 degrees radius
  • Durable metal sprinkler head
  • Sturdy metal base for stability
  • Easy to adjust distance, radius, and diffusion
  • Seven-year limited warranty
  • Budget price

Weaknesses:

  • Sometimes gets stuck at one end of the rotation cycle.

Orbit 58322 Traveling Sprinkler


Last on our list is Orbit 58322 traveling sprinkler. This is the best traveling sprinkler on our list and most likely on the market overall. Orbit tractor-shaped sprinkler is guided by the hose and pushed by water pressure. You can set up the hose in a pattern you want the sprinkler to go and position the little ramp at a point you want the sprinkler to stop. This allows you to turn on your sprinkler and leave as it will stop when it finishes its route. 

Orbit traveling sprinkler has a very sturdy and durable cast-iron construction. It will be hard to knock over with a ball or by pets, but it is quite hard to carry around. However, unlike any plastic sprinklers, Orbit is a wise investment that might serve you for decades.

If you have a large lawn, this sprinkler is great because you can create any path you like by laying your hose where the sprinkler needs to go. You can also adjust the spray diameter and traveling speed for various water output needs. 

Key features:

  • Can cover up to 13,500 sq. ft. along a 200 ft. hose
  • Three speeds
  • Extremely durable cast-iron construction
  • 15-50 ft. adjustable spray coverage diameter
  • Great for large lawns
  • Can leave unattended

Weaknesses:

  • Quite bulky and heavy

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need to water my lawn?

If you live in a very dry area where grass would usually not grow, then we advise watering your lawn 2-3 times a week to get 1-1½ inches of water into your lawn per week. It’s better to heavily water a couple of times instead of daily to allow the water to get deep into the soil. If you live in an area where grass grows naturally, you won’t need to water once your lawn is established and continued, frequent watering may even be harmful to your lawn’s root developement.

When is the best time of the day to water my lawn?

It is best to water your lawn early in the morning as it reduces water evaporation allowing you to water your lawn faster and use less water. You could also water early evening when it’s warm as long as there is enough time for the plants and soil to soak up the water.

 

 best garden hose article link

interlink with best garden hoses article

Top 7 Best Small Wood Chippers for Your Landscape in 2021

A big part of landscape maintenance is collecting and disposing of debris left after cleaning up your trees from dead branches, trimming down, or removing unwanted bushes and shrubs. If you’ve been throwing away all of that debris or paying someone to collect it, you should consider getting a small wood chipper to save money and improve your softscape by returning all of the debris in the form of mulch back into the soil. A wood chipper shredder is one of the best tools to deal with unwanted branches, twigs, shrubs, and leaves. Today we’ll go over different types of wood chippers, how to pick the best one, and will provide our picks for the top 7 best small wood chippers for your landscape in 2021.

Types of Wood Chippers

Gas

Wood chippers and shredders running on gas are most used in both residential and professional landscaping. They provide much more power than electric wood chippers as their power ranges from 4-10 horsepower. More power means that the shredder can work faster while also tackling thicker and harder landscape debris. The disadvantages of gas-powered wood chippers are louder noise, heavier weight, and more maintenance.

Electric

Small electric wood chippers are great for landscapes with smaller trees as they have a hard time handling tree branches larger than 2 inches, but they are much lighter, easier to transport, and most importantly, produce way less noise and no smoke. They are an excellent option for eco-friendly gardeners looking to build a sustainable landscape. The most significant disadvantages of the electric wood chippers and shredders are that they require a nearby outlet and shred slower than gas chippers.

PTO

Power Take-Off (PTO) wood chippers and shredders are connected to a tractor’s PTO shaft, which allows it to power the wood chipper. Because of the higher power a tractor can generate, PTO wood chippers are much more powerful than gas or electric chippers. Even though you can find smaller PTO wood chippers, they will still be quite bulky, loud, and, most importantly, require a tractor to power them. PTO wood shredders come at a higher price tag, so most casual gardeners and landscapers will use small gas or electric wood chippers, which are not as powerful but are cheaper and easier to use. If you are serious about landscaping or own a vast landscape with many trees, then it might be wise to own a PTO wood chipper as a long-term investment.

What to Consider When Buying a Small Wood Chipper?

Feed Capacity

The feed capacity is one of the most important considerations to take before buying a small wood chipper. It determines the size of branches you can feed into the chipper. Most small gas and electric wood chippers can handle 2-5 inch thickness branches. If your main goal is to clean up small 1-3 inch diameter branches and use larger ones for your fire pit, then almost all small wood chippers will do great. If you have plenty of thicker branches, you need to look for a higher-capacity chipper designed for professional use.

Power type

If you’re doing casual landscape cleaning a couple of times a year, a small electric wood chipper will be plenty. Electric-powered shredders are much quieter than gas ones, so you can use them in highly populated neighborhoods without disturbing anyone. They are also low maintenance and lighter, but you’re tied to an electrical cord and can’t use it in an area without a power source. Gas-powered wood chippers are also a touch more powerful and will complete your yard cleanup a bit faster.

Reduction Rate

best wood chippers
wood chips

The reduction rate is pretty straightforward; it means how much the chipper will reduce original debris volume. Most small wood chippers’ reduction rate will be from 8:1 to 20:1, meaning they can shred branches, twig, or leaves to 4-10% of their original volume. A smaller reduction rate shredder will require less power, while a higher reduction rate chipper needs to be more powerful to spin the blades faster. 

If you’re going to use mulch for your landscape, think how big you want the pieces to be, this might be a good indication of what reduction ratio to go for.

Blades

In general, it’s better to go for a wood chipper with more blades. If there are fewer blades, the individual blade is used more often, will dull faster, and require sharpening. If there are more blades, then the wear of the blades splits more evenly, allowing the blades to be sharp for longer.

Additional Features

A simple but convenient additional feature to look for is a mulch or debris bag that you can attach to the chipper. It collects everything that goes through the chipper and allows for easy disposal or scattering of the mulch. You can also find chippers with multiple feeding chutes, a bigger one for branches and twigs, and a smaller one for leaves and other soft debris. Finally, some chippers will have vacuum attachments which are handy to collect small debris and keep the grass clean.

Top 7 Best Small Wood Chipper Reviews in 2021

Sun Joe CJ603E Electric Silent Wood Chipper/Shredder


Sun Joe CJ603E is a very silent electric wood chipper that is great for everyday gardening needs. This model has 15 Amp power and has a reduction ratio of 21:1, meaning you’ll have very fine mulch for your flower garden bed or compost box. 

CJ603E capacity is up to 1.73 inch thick branches and twigs. It can’t handle thick branches, but the ones that fit are shredded with ease. This small electric wood shredder weighs just 38.6 lbs. And can be moved around on the 7-inch wheels. Very portable as long as you have enough extension cord length.

All in all, Sun Joe CJ603E is the best small wood chipper for regular homeowners who want to regularly clean up small branches, twigs, or leaves and reuse them as mulch. 

Key features:

  • Power: 15 Amp
  • Capacity: up to 1.73 inch
  • Reduction rate: 21:1
  • Weight: 38.6 lbs.
  • Very compact 
  • 7-inch wheels for portability
  • Tamper included

Weaknesses:

  • It needs a power outlet

SuperHandy Wood Chipper Shredder Electric


SuperHandy electric wood shredder is the best small, lightweight wood chipper on our list, with a weight of only 24.5 lbs. The impenetrable wheels allow for easy storage and maneuverability over grass, soil, and other uneven surfaces. A hopper on top allows you to collect and dump leaves into the shredder conveniently. If needed, a tamper is included for a quick and safe push.

The two cutting blades behind a rust-proof polypropylene housing can shred backyard debris into 17 times smaller pieces for easy disposal, composting, or mulching.

We love the compact and lightweight design that allows for easy maneuvering around the landscape if your electrical cord allows it. Despite the only disadvantage of small capacity, the SuperHandy wood chipper is a fantastic option for regular backyard cleanup.

Key features:

  • Power: 15 Amp
  • Capacity: up to 1.57 inch 
  • Reduction rate: 17:1
  • Weight: 24.5
  • Very lightweight
  • Rust-proof polypropylene housing
  • Compact to store
  • Tamper included
  • Durable housing

Weaknesses:

  • Can shred only thin branches 

Earthwise GS70015 15-Amp Garden Corded Electric Chipper


Earthwise is our best small electric wood chipper if you want to clean up your landscape fast and efficiently. Its reduction ratio of 10:1 cuts branches into larger chunks than other chippers but allows the shredding process to be completed much quicker.

The big chute on top of the chipper with the tamper allows you to dump many dead plants, leaves, and twigs and push them into the blades quickly and effortlessly.

We love the sturdy collection bin instead of the bag. It allows for an easier pour. You can even store your mulch in the bin to dry out.

All in all, this small wood chipper is designed for people who want to clean up their backyards fast and don’t really care about the size of mulch that comes out.

Key features:

  • Power: 15 Amp
  • Capacity: up to 1.75 inch
  • Reduction rate: 10:1
  • Weight: 31 lbs.
  • Big chute
  • Durable build
  • Tamper included
  • Sturdy collection bin
  • Wheels for portability

Weaknesses:

  • Expensive for an electric wood chipper

SuperHandy Leaf Mulcher Shredder Electric


Are you tired of having truckloads of fallen leaves every week during autumn? SuperHandy leaf mulcher and shredder is designed to mulch leaves and small branches with a powerful but silent 15 Amp motor.

This small wood chipper can handle twigs and smaller branches of only up to 0.5 inches thick but deals with them quickly, and with no noise, so you can do your chores early morning or late at night. You’ll also receive a large 50-gallon tear and water-resistant bag for mulch collection. 

This small leaf and wood mulcher has two 8 inch wheels for easy transportation and relocation. The build itself also feels very sturdy as its frame is made from steel. 

SuperHandy Leaf Mulcher’s disadvantages are small branch shredding capacity and higher price point. However, the fantastic leaf mulching efficiency and build quality make it a wise investment, especially for gardeners tired of dealing with mountains of leaves every year.

Key features:

  • Power: 15 Amp
  • Capacity: up to 0.5 inch
  • Weight:
  • Sturdy steel frame
  • Durable 8-inch wheels
  • Water-resistant debris bag

Weaknesses:

  • Expensive

Landworks Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher Super Heavy Duty


If you’re on a budget but still want a larger and more powerful gas-powered wood chipper, Landworks shredder might be your best option. This model is powered by a 7hp 212cc 4 stroke engine to mulch branches up to 3-inch thickness through the side hopper. The top hopper is designed for small twigs, leaves, and trimmings of up to 0.5-inch thickness.

This small gas wood chipper is designed for residential backyards with many dead or fallen branches or trimmings that weaker electric shredders can’t handle. If needed, you can buy extra attachments like a vacuum insert for an extra tidy backyard and a big discharge bag attachment. Although, it would have been nice if the model already came with the bag attachment.

Landworks wood chipper might not be the most powerful gas shredder but is the best small gas-powered wood chipper if you’re on a budget.

Key features:

  • Power: 7hp 212cc
  • Capacity: top hopper 0.5 inch, side 3 inch
  • Reduction rate: 15:1
  • Weight: 130 lbs.
  • Small but powerful
  • Two wheels for easy relocation

Weaknesses:

  • No collection bin or bag

EFCUT C30 Mini Wood Chipper Shredder Mulcher


EFCUT C30 is probably the best small gas wood chipper on our list that money can buy. Yes, it is expensive, but it’s amazingly built, lightweight for a gas shredder, and is powerful enough to handle most tree debris on your landscape.

Inside the shredder, you’ll find a unique cutting system of 2 steel cutting blades and four cutting hammers that go through leaves, twigs, trimmings, and branches like a knife through butter. You also have a handy check window to see if anything is stuck between the blades.

The 7hp 212cc 4 stroke engine allows it to tackle branches up to 3 inches and reduce their volume 15 times. We were surprised to see how stable the shredder is when feeding branches larger than 3 inches. There was no jumping or unusual wiggling, only a slight deceleration of shredding speed, but that is expected when trying to shred thick branches.

If you don’t mind spending more for a long-term investment, EFCUT C30 is the best small wood shredder on our list for larger backyard cleanups.

Key features:

  • Power: 7hp 212cc
  • Capacity: up to 3 inch
  • Reduction rate: 15:1
  • Weight: 90 lbs.
  • 10-inch airless wheels

Weaknesses:

  • Expensive

Patriot CSV-3100B Briggs & Stratton Gas-Powered Wood Chipper/Leaf Shredder


We have Patriot CSV-3100B, our pick for the most powerful small wood chipper to finish off our list. The chipping cone at the side can handle up to 3 inch thick branches because of the small but powerful 10hp engine that can create up to 14.6 lb-ft. torque. Anything smaller than 3 inches in diameter will be crushed, shredded, and cut into small pieces reducing the original volume up to 20 times.

It’s nice to see that Patriot took small details like engine noise into account and added a muffler to reduce some of the noise. There is also a convenient oil indicator to remind you if oil levels drop. 

This small, powerful shredder weighs 140 lbs. but it isn’t that hard to maneuver because of the low center of gravity and comfortable large wheels.

Key features:

  • Power: 10hp
  • Capacity: up to 3 inches
  • Reduction rate: 20:1
  • Weight: 140 lbs.
  • Easy to maneuver

Weaknesses:

  • Heavy

Top 8 Best Pruning Shears for Your Garden in 2021

Professional gardeners, landscapers, or anyone who owns at least a few plants or a tree should have a pair of quality pruning shears among their landscaping tools. When you need to cut some vines, thin branches, or handle something as delicate as flowers pruning shears is your best option since they are very maneuverable, ergonomic, and easily fit in your pocket. Today, we will talk about different types of pruning shears and how to pick the best one for you. We’ll also give our recommendations for the top 8 best pruning shears for your garden in 2021. 

Types of Pruning Shears

hydraulic shears

There are so many pruning shears designed for almost every landscaping and gardening task. But which one is the best? It always depends on your needs, but without specializing too deep, we’ll look at the most popular ones, which should cover all your basic softscaping needs.

Bypass

bypass pruner

Bypass pruners are probably the most common type and should be your first pruner if you don’t have a pair yet. As the name suggests, Bypass pruning shears will have a blade that will bypass the other blade providing an extremely clean and precise cut if the blade is sharp enough. Pruning small live branches, vines, flowers, or fruit and veggie harvesting is a breeze with a pair of bypass pruners.

Anvil

These pruners are called anvil shears because when the blade goes down, it pinches anything in the way against the anvil and crushes instead of cutting. Anvil pruning shears are great to use on already dead plants and things you don’t care about the integrity of the stem afterward. They are most popular for their speed at cleaning up small dead branches, rose bushes, and unnecessary vines. 

Ratchet

Ratchet pruning shears are the heavy lifters in the realm of pruning shears. They are pruners with a mechanism that allows cutting in stages. The extra leverage allows to cut through thicker and more rigid materials and handling larger branches and roots. Ratchet pruners are very popular among people who have weak wrists or injured hands. 

What to Consider When Buying Pruning Shears?

assorted tools

With so many different pruning shears on the market, it might be a little challenging to pick the best one because, honestly, everyone needs a different type of pruner. Here are a couple of points you should consider to choose the best pruner for your personal landscaping tasks.

Blade Quality

Most pruning shears will either have a high carbon steel blade or stainless steel one. None of them are better or worse, so it depends on how you use your pruners or what you’re going to cut or trim. Carbon steel is a bit tougher metal and should last a bit longer since it’s more resistant to scratches and scrapes but does rust faster, so you need to keep it away from moisture.

Pruners with stainless steel blades also rust, but they rust way slower. Most stainless steel blades are not as tough as high carbon ones but are a bit cheaper. Great for light pruning tasks that don’t require a lot of force.

Ergonomics

The grip handle is a very important piece of a pruner. If you use your pruner constantly, you want to have a comfortable and, most importantly, tight grip on your pruner. A soft rubber material or coating will deteriorate over time, but comfortable pruning and tight grip are worth the extra amount you’ll spend over simple hard plastic grips. 

Blade Style

tools on the wall

As we’ve already covered the two main styles of pruning shears, all you need to do is figure out what landscaping task you need the pruner for. If your backyard or garden has been abandoned and has a bunch of dead branches, bushes, roots, or vines, go for the anvil pruner for a quick cleanup. 

If you’re looking to trim and cut down live plants, need precision cuts, or just a pruner for general garden maintenance, bypass pruner is a go-to for casual and beginner gardeners.

Cutting Mechanism

You’ll have either a ratchet or spring mechanism on your pruners. If you want extra power and pressure on your pruner, pick a ratchet anvil pruner. They are designed to cut thicker branches, roots, and even plastic. It is also an excellent option for people with arthritis or weak hands in general. 

Spring pruners are the most common ones and probably the cheapest ones. When going for a spring-loaded pruner, remember spring mechanism is a bit more delicate and is easier to damage. If possible, go for a pruner that has its spring covered to protect from things getting into the spring.

Safety features

One of the most critical safety features for pruning shears is the locking mechanism. Non-spring pruners could get by without it, but spring pruners will always have blades open if you release the handles. The locking mechanism in spring pruners allows the blades to be closed when you’re not using them. This feature usually adds extra cost to the pruner but will save you from cutting yourself with extra sharp blades.

Top 8 Best Pruning Shear Reviews in 2021

Fiskars 379451-1002 SoftGrip Pruner


Fiskar landscaping tools are among the best in the market, so it’s not hard to guess that we’ll have Fiskars pruning shears on top of our list. These bypass shears have razor-sharp blades with an anti-rust coating that provides low friction extremely precise cuts even when dealing with saps. 

You’ll have no trouble cutting live plants of up to ⅝ inch thickness without damaging the stems. The high-quality build is solid and gives a comfortable and tight grip because of the soft handles. We appreciate the bright orange color, which allows you to quickly find your shears if you leave or drop them in the grass.

All in all, Fiskars 379451-1002 bypass pruner is one of the best pruning shears on our list for beginners or people on a budget. 

Key features:

  • Cut capacity: ⅝ inch
  • Anti-rust coated blade
  • Precision ground razor-sharp blade
  • Soft grip handles
  • Excellent price to quality ratio

Weaknesses:

  • No locking mechanism
  • Spring is open to debris

Mueller Soft Grip Garden Pruning Shears


Mueller hardened titanium blade pruning shears are amazingly sturdy and feel very durable. It seems to be built very well with no flimsiness or loose screws. The hardened titanium blades are extra sharp and can cut through branches of up to 1.2-inch thickness. The locking mechanism will allow you to lock the blades and carry the shears without fear of cutting yourself.

We find the padded handles very comfortable and enjoy a tight grip even if they are wet or dirty, but we doubt their durability in the long term. 

Excellent build, sharp blades, and comfortable grip make Mueller Garden Pruning Shears one of the best bypass pruners on our list.

Key features:

  • Cut capacity: 1.2 inch
  • Extra durability with hardened titanium blades
  • Very sturdy
  • Protected spring
  • Comfortable grip
  • Locking mechanism
  • Cheap

Weaknesses:

  • Padded handles might not last too long

Corona BP 3180D Forged Classic Bypass Pruner


Corona is a landscaping tools company from the USA that makes high-quality, affordable tools for your garden. We’ve already given praise to their hand pruning saw, and now Corona BP 3180D is one of the best bypass pruners on this list too. 

The heat-treated forged steel alloy construction doesn’t have the best looks but is very solid and designed for heavy use in your backyard or even professional landscaping projects. It even has a sap groove that protects the blades from sticking when dealing with heavy sap vegetation.

It is nice that the blades open wide enough to handle larger branches; however, we felt that the shears struggled quite a bit cutting 1-inch thickness branches. You should also take into consideration that this bypass pruner is a bit heavier than the competition.

Key features:

  • Heat-treated forged steel alloy
  • Locking mechanism
  • Sap groove
  • Non-slip grips

Weaknesses:

  • Quite heavy
  • Couldn’t deal with 1 inch thick branches as advertised

Fiskars Micro-Tip Pruner Non-Stick Blades


Looking for something very precise for fine cuts when pruning delicate flowers, herbs, or leaves? The Fiskars micro-tip pruner is basically a very sharp and sturdy scissors for your landscape. 

The fully hardened, precision-ground stainless steel blades provide a clean cut without damaging the plant’s stem. You’ll also have a handy lock mechanism to keep the blades closed. It’s also nice to have a non-stick coating that reduces friction and protects from buildup. 

If you’re very meticulous and love shaping and cherishing plants, flowers, and bushes to the smallest detail, Fiskars micro-tip pruner snips are the best snips on our list for micro gardening tasks.

Key features:

  • Perfect for small plant shaping 
  • Precision-ground stainless steel
  • Very sharp blades
  • Lock mechanism
  • Non-stick coating to reduce friction and buildup

Weaknesses:

  • Can’t handle thicker plants

Fiskars Power-Lever Anvil Pruner


Another Fiskars pruner? Yes, this time, it’s an anvil pruner for dead greenery cleanup. The Power-lever anvil pruner from Fiskars offers excellent quality, durability at an extremely low price, so it’s a no-brainer why it takes a spot as one of the best anvil pruners on our list.

The power leverage technology allows for up to 2x more cutting power as the Fiskars four-point pivot design maximizes leverage. Combine that with sharp precision ground blades and low friction rust-resistant coating to get a pair of anvil shears that can cut up to ⅝ inch thickness dead branches with ease. 

Cushioned handles allow for a steady and slip-resistant grip even when you need to use a lot of force. The only disadvantage we’ve spotted in Fiskars build is that the locking mechanism is tough to engage. 

Key features:

  • Cut capacity: ⅝ inch 
  • A perfect tool to quickly clean up dead plants
  • Precision-ground extra sharp blade
  • Lifetime warranty
  • Power leverage technology
  • Cushioned grip
  • Locking mechanism

Weaknesses:

  • Locking mechanism hard to engage

Gardenite Power Drive Ratchet Anvil Hand Pruning Shears


Suffer from arthritis or just don’t have enough power for those ½ inch branches? This Power Drive ratchet anvil pruner is great for people who have weaker hands but still want to deal with more formidable hedges and thicker live branches. The ratchet mechanism is great for improving the cutting power without using much force. Pruning with this ratchet anvil pruner will take more time, but you won’t put a strain on your arms.

The Gardenite ratchet anvil pruning shears have a comfortable handle with a non-slip grip and locking mechanism to carry and store the shears safely. We did experience that the ratchet function and the whole build are a bit flimsy, but for the budget price it’s being sold, you can’t complain too much.

Key features:

  • Effortless cutting with ratchet mechanism
  • Hardened steel blades
  • Ergonomic design
  • Lock mechanism
  • Budget price
  • Great for beginners or casual landscapers

Weaknesses:

  • Ratchet function a bit flimsy
  • The build could be sturdier

The Gardener’s Friend Pruners, Ratchet Pruning Shears

Last but not least on our list is Gardener’s Friend ratchet anvil pruning shears. These premium shears come at a pretty high price tag but do offer excellent quality and durability.

A sharp blade allows cutting through even thicker branches, twigs, or roots without using much force. The ratchet mechanism makes it a perfect gardening tool for elders or people with injured hands. The only flaw of this tool is that the blade locking mechanism is slightly hard to engage or disengage.

If you don’t mind spending extra for quality and durability, the Gardener’s Friend anvil ratchet pruning shears is the best anvil pruner on our list in terms of durability and build quality.

Key features:

  • Great for people with weak hands
  • Very sturdy
  • Can handle delicate and tough cuts
  • Sharp blade

Weaknesses:

  • Lock difficult to engage

Felco F-2 068780 Classic Manual Hand Pruner, F 2, Red


For my money, the Felco brand of pruner is the absolute best on the market. I have been using them for many years of landscape construction and maintenance and have found them to be consistently the best. I have tried countless other varieties and none of them have held a sharp edge and held up longer than the Felco brand.

Key features:

  • Very strong and durable blades
  • The ability to buy replacement blades
  • Trouble free coiled spring
  • Comfortable handle
  • Light weight
  • These will cut whatever you have to strength to cut.

Weakness:

  • As with any pruner, the blades can be bent if twisted sideways while in a large branch

best hand pruning saws

Top 7 Best Lawn Edgers and Trenchers in 2021

Having neat and tidy lawn edges is probably the second most important softscaping task after proper lawn mowing if you want to have a beautiful and healthy landscape. A well-cut edge will give you a crisp, tight, and clean separation from your turf and sidewalks or garden beds. A lawn edger or trencher is a tool specifically designed to create these sharp and defined edges. Today we’ll introduce you to various types of lawn edgers and trenchers, talk about which type is best for various landscapes and lawn types, and give a few tips on what to consider when buying a lawn edger or trencher. Finally, we’ll share our picks for the top 7 best lawn edgers and trenchers in 2021.

Types of Lawn Edgers and Trenchers

There are three main types of lawn edgers and trenchers: manual, gas, and electric ones. Here are some of their advantages and reasons to pick one over the other. 

Manual Edgers

As it’s clear from the name, this type of edgers and trenchers don’t need gas or electricity. You’ll have to put your hands and feet to work to edge your turf. They are still a common pick for smaller landscapes as they are convenient, don’t take much space, and are very compact and portable. Manual edgers require very little maintenance since there are no motors, bearings, or electricity involved, but best of all, it makes no noise! All you need to do is clean it up after use and store it away. Finally, manual trenchers and edgers are quite cheap and budget-friendly.

 One of the most popular manual trenchers is a roller edger that requires you to step and push the tool with your foot to cut the edges of your grass. Then there’s also a half-moon edger that looks like a spade or a shovel. You use it by pushing it into the ground and rocking back and forth to cut the grass.

Gas Powered Edgers

Gas-powered edgers and trenchers are the most powerful type of lawn edgers. Their power rating usually ranges from 20 to up to 160 cubic meters depending on the size. These larger lawn edgers are perfect for bigger yards and provide very consistent and clean cuts due to their sheer power. All gas-powered trenchers and edgers are on wheels, so you barely need any manual power. However, they are pretty noisy and cost a bit more than manual or electric edgers.

Electricity Powered Edgers

Electric-powered edgers can be corded or battery-powered and are very lightweight. Similar to handheld electric saws, battery-powered edgers have more portability over corded ones but need to be charged quite often. People prefer electric edgers over gas-powered ones since they produce no exhaust, aren’t as loud, and don’t require much storage space.

What to Consider When Buying a Lawn Edger and Trencher

Lawn size and shape

It’s pretty important to think about how big your lawn edging task will be. If you have a huge yard, using a manual edger will take a lot of your time and, most importantly, a lot of physical power, so it’s wiser to use a gas-powered edger for quick and effortless edging unless you’re really keen on a good workout!

Additionally, suppose your lawn has many tight edges or awkward-shaped flower beds close to the wall, bushes, or on a tight slope. In that case, the gas edger might be too bulky, so an electric or manual one will be easier to maneuver and work around tight spaces.

Power

The more power your edger has, the easier it is to achieve a clean, sharp, and consistent edge on your lawn without much physical effort. A powerful gas edger is best for a clean and effortless cut if you have a long lawn with straight edges. Electric edgers aren’t as powerful but are much more maneuverable and lightweight. 

Blade type

Rectangular blade with a straight edge

This is the most simple and basic type of blade found on an edger. They are more than enough for small and straightforward lawn edging. Best suited for lawns connecting with same height driveways, walkways, or short flower beds. Rectangular blades should be used on gas and electric edgers only because you won’t be able to turn the rectangle shape blade with a manual edger.

Rectangular blade with scoop-cut ends

A rectangular blade with scoop-cut ends works best for garden, flower, and tree bed edging that has soil covered in mulch or other material. The unique shape of the blade allows for a delicate and precise cut without throwing weeds all over your flower bed.

Star-shaped blades

This type of blade can be used on gas, electric, and manual edgers. A star-shaped blade has many sharp points and can handle bushes, shrubs, small tree branches, and other dead greenery much more efficiently than rectangular blades. 

 If you’re using a manual edger with a star-shaped blade, it can also be used as a lawn aerator. Just make sure not to put too much pressure, and the blade will provide small punctures into the soil.

Safety features

When buying a non-manual lawn edger, make sure to consider safety features like trigger lock, debris guard, and padded grips.

Debris guards 

As the name suggests, a debris guard prevents debris from flying out the back of the edger into your feet and torso. Hard dirt and rocks can hurt you, while grass debris can stain your clothes.

Trigger lock

A trigger lock is the most common safety feature on any powered landscape equipment. It prevents users from accidentally starting the edger when picking it up or storing it. In order to start, the edger trigger lock needs to be pressed, held, and only then can you fire up the edger.

Padded grips and straps

Powered edgers and trenchers produce vibration, so having padded grips and over-the-shoulder straps allows for a much more ergonomic edger handling. Even if you’re working around short lawn edges or garden beds, padded grips make a huge difference.

Additional features or accessories

Adjustable blade position and angle

To deal with different types and shapes of flower beds and lawns, you might want to be able to adjust blade position and angle. Your lawn near a driveway might be close to the ground, while the garden bed will be deeper into the ground requiring different height edging.

Additional wheel

The additional wheel feature is helpful for heavier and bulkier gas-powered edgers. It can provide a lot of extra stability when on uneven surfaces and paved driveways or walkways. 

Cord length and battery size

When picking an electric lawn edger, make sure to check the length of the cord and battery size. If you have a large backyard, make sure the cord is long enough for your needs; otherwise, you’ll have to buy an extension cord. Cordless lawn edgers are not as powerful as corded ones and are best for smaller edging tasks. If you have a larger landscape and still want a lightweight and portable cordless edger, make sure to get on with a larger battery or one that has two batteries included to avoid having to recharge the battery in the middle of your chores.

Top 7 Best Lawn Edger and Trencher Reviews in 2021

Fiskars 38.5 Inch Long-handle Steel Edger


As we know, Fiskars produce excellent landscaping tools of great quality and price ratio. The Fiskars 38.5 inch steel edger is no exception. This lawn edger is one of the best manual edgers and trenchers if you’re on a budget. We love that this shovel-looking edger is perfect for creating and maintain garden and flower beds. It has a sharp and deep steel blade that allows you to create a garden bed by yourself easily.  

The Fiskars steel edger is cheap but really sturdy and should last you years. It is also ergonomic for a manual edger and trencher. The long shaft allows edging your lawn without bending too much, and the large foot platform helps to efficiently use your whole body weight to maximize force without using arm strength.

All in all, Fiskars long-handle steel edger is the best manual edger for lawn care and garden bed creation if you’re on a budget.

Key features:

  • Sharp steel blade
  • Ergonomic design
  • Great for garden bed creation
  • Durable build
  • Cheap
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to store

Weaknesses:

  • Requires a lot of manual labor for large area edging

Truper 32100 Tru Tough Rotary Lawn Edger


Here we have Truper 32100 rotary lawn edger, which is another lightweight manual lawn edger perfect for smaller territories, especially if you have little storage space. The 48-inch handle is made from American ash with a lacquer finish, while the bottom has a sharp star-shaped blade and a wheel to push on the sidewalk or by garden beds for a clean cut.

The Truper 32100 manual rotary lawn edger is very straightforward and easy to use. All you need to do is put the wheel on the pavement next to your lawn or garden bed and move the edger 2-3 times forward and backward to form an edge. 

Manual rotary lawn edgers are a great alternative to more expensive electric or gas-powered edgers. If you just want to freshen up your lawn a few times a year and don’t have a huge backyard, Truper 32100 might be the best rotary manual edger for you that won’t cost a fortune.

Key features:

  • Strong and durable 48-inch American ash handle
  • Lightweight
  • Simple and straightforward design
  • Cheap

Weaknesses:

  • Not fit for large landscapes

WORX WG896 12 Amp 7.5″ Electric Lawn Edger & Trencher


The WORX WG896 is one of the best lawn edgers and trenchers for regular homeowners and amateur landscapers. It has a cutting line indicator and three depth selections for various edging and garden trenching projects. It is lightweight for an electric edger, but the 14 lbs is heavy enough to hold it down while trenching more challenging soil.

This 12 Amp electric edger comes as one piece out of the box. All you have to do is pop in the shaft pieces, tighten the handle, put the wheels on, and you are ready to edge. 

This corded lawn edger has a 7.5-inch star-shaped blade that should easily deal with any grass and soil, considering the motor can spin it at 4700 RPMs. What makes it a versatile edger and trencher combination is the ability to choose between 3 depths of trenching. You can do regular edging around sidewalks and garden beds with the smallest depth selection and switch to trenching with the other two depth choices.

All in all, WORX WG896 is the best budget electric lawn edger and trencher combo on our list. It is a perfect landscaping tool for homeowners who don’t want to pay for professional landscaping services and would rather do these small chores themselves.

Key features:

  • Power: 12 Amp motor
  • 7.5-inch blade
  • Three depth adjustments
  • Cutting line indicator
  • Adjustable shaft
  • Very accurate and sharp cut
  • Lightweight for an electric edger

Weaknesses:

  • Corded

Greenworks Pro 80V 8 inch Brushless Edger


If you’re tired of dealing with oil changes and gas refills, then electric tools might be a significant relief for you. The Greenworks Pro 80V brushless edger is a very powerful landscaping tool that allows you to effortlessly move around your garden without being constrained by a cord or heavy gas engine. 

It comes 95% assembled; all you need to do is tighten the handle and put the battery in. In all honesty, the battery is the biggest weakness of this edger. No, it isn’t of bad quality; it’s just not included with edger! When bought additionally with the charger, it does add up to quite a hefty price tag.

This edger is very well built with an 8-inch steel blade, sturdy guard, and a flap to stop any debris from coming your way. It’s also nice to know that Greenworks provides a 3-year warranty for their products if anything breaks.

If your budget is not a concern, Greenworks Pro 80V lawn edger is the best cordless lawn edger on our list for comfort, portability, and ease of use.

Key features:

  • 8-inch steel blade
  • Multiple speeds
  • Adjustable handle
  • Comfortable grip
  • Curb wheel for easy edging
  • Relatively silent for an edger
  • No emission
  • Almost no assembly is required
  • 3-year warranty

Weaknesses:

  • Battery not included
  • Expensive when bought with battery and charger

Craftsman CMXGKAME30A 30cc 4-Cycle Gas Powered Grass Lawn Edger


If you need a powerful edger for larger landscapes, you should go with a gas-powered lawn edger. Cordless edgers can’t run for long periods without a battery switch, and corded tools constrain your movement. Craftsman CMXGKAME30A is a small but powerful lawn edger. The 30cc 4-cycle motor is powerful but not as loud or heavy as bigger gas lawn edgers.

The Craftsman lawn edger is easy to use even if you’re not experienced with landscaping tools. It’s easy to assemble, and the prime and pull start will get you going in seconds. A 9-inch heavy-duty steel blade is sharp enough for any lawn and soil, while the six different height positions will let you pick how deep you want your trenches to be. Finally, there are three premium quality wheels for extra stability and effortless pushing.

The build itself could be a bit more solid; however, it does come at a very low price point for a gas lawn edger. All in all, it’s one of the best budget gas lawn edgers for casual gardeners who want to keep their lawn sharp and clean all year long.

Key features:

  • 30cc 4-Cycle motor
  • Easy prime and pull start
  • 9-inch heavy-duty steel blade
  • 6 cutting positions up to a 1.75-inch depth
  • Three wheels for stability 

Weaknesses:

  • Not very sturdy

SOUTHLAND SWLE0799 79cc Walk Behind Gas Lawn Edger


SOUTHLAND SWLE0799 is the closes you can get to a professional lawn edger without paying a professional price tag. The 79cc four-stroke motor is a beast that can handle any type or height of grass growing on the toughest soils. 

Its 9-inch triangular blade can adjust +/- 15 degrees to produce natural-looking beveled edges around your flowerbeds. You also have five depth options ranging from 0 to 2.5-inches which is more than enough to create a garden bed or irrigation trenches.

There are three massive wheels that allow hopping on curbs, making lawn edging near driveways a very easy task. It is, however, a bit difficult to use on curved cuts. 

The SWLE0799 is a very powerful gas lawn edger and trencher perfect for homeowners with larger landscapes and maybe even landscapers just getting into the business. 

Key features:

  • 79cc 4 stroke motor
  • 0 to 2.5-inch depth positions
  • +/- 15 degrees blade angle adjustment
  • Can hop curbs
  • 9-inch blade

Weaknesses:

  • The handle could be more ergonomic
  • Not very agile on curves 

SANJIAN Cordless String Trimmer, Weed Wacker, Edger 

The last on our list is SANJIAN multipurpose tool for trimming, weed whacking, and lawn edging. This versatile cordless battery-powered landscaping tool is an excellent option for gardeners and homeowners who are on a budget and don’t want to store multiple gadgets for once-a-season landscaping chores.

There are three different blades to choose from. The plastic blades are for soft grass mowing and trimming. Stainless steel metal blades are great for lawn edging, weed whacking, and small shrub trimming. Finally, the manganese circular saw blade will deal with thicker shrub and branch pruning.

You’ll have two 21V lithium batteries included, which are not the most powerful ones, but you’ll be able to charge one while you use the other. 

In conclusion, the SANJIAN cordless trimmer is a great multipurpose tool for casual homeowners. Yes, the quality isn’t premium; however, the price is really low. If you need to deal with small landscaping quite often but don’t want to buy a bunch of expensive and bulky, this versatile cordless edger might be your best pick.

Key features:

  • Two 21V lithium batteries included
  • It comes with 3 blade types 
  • Very lightweight
  • Multipurpose landscaping tool
  • Budget price

Weaknesses:

  • Cheap build
  • Batteries don’t last long

Please keep in mind that no matter which type of lawn edger you choose, there is always the possibility that you may cut through electric cables or sprinkler lines, so always use caution and have lines marked before you begin.