Yes, yard work still sucks. Luckily for us, all that modern technology that’s making every other aspect of our lives so much easier than it used to be is also helping to bring yard and garden tools into the 21st century.
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The JawSaw (get it now at Amazon for $144) is likely the safest chainsaw on the market for small and medium size pruning jobs up to 4 inches in diameter. The 20V MaxLithium JawSaw’s blade and chain retract until they’re fully enclosed in the guard, making accidents nearly impossible. The housing design allows you to cut directly on the ground or even pavement, saving you from having to strain your back moving the limbs. The innovative auto-tension feature guarantees optimum tension at all times and features an automatic chain oiler with oil level indicator. Corded option also available for $109 at Amazon.
Like a Roomba for your lawn, the Robomow (from $699 at Amazon) does the hard work for you. Simply install the included wire around the perimeter of your lawn, complete some basic configuration steps and plug in the dock, and your robot is ready to roll. The RS630 (buy it here for $2,499) is the top of the line Robomow, with a 22-inch cut and enough juice to knock out a ¾-acre yard on one charge. The smartphone app not only provides charging status but also acts as a remote control, so you can operate the RoboMow from the comfort of your lawn chair.
The powered rotary hoe, or cultivator, was invented in 1912, and manufacturers keep making them smaller and more powerful. And more affordable. Remington offers cultivators in both electric (buy the Prairie, above, for $135 at Amazon) and gas-powered Homestead ($166) versions, and both come with four, 8-inch steel tines to easily aerate and till small garden beds. You can adjust the tine width from 6 to 9 inches for working in tight spaces or open areas. The gas Homestead is for serious gardeners, with easy-pull engine starting and a heavy duty gearbox built to handle years of tough tilling.
Long before “cutting the cord” was used to reference getting away from cable television, it was what happened each summer when it came time to trim the hedges. Combine that with the hassle of cleaning up and this chore just stinks. That is, unless you get this trimmer from Garden Groom ($100 at Amazon). Designed with an easy-to-maneuver, two-handed grip and concealed blades, the Garden Groom not only safely trims your overgrown boxwoods, ivy, or arbor vitae, but also shreds then vacuums the trimmings into a collection bag.
If you’ve got some fairly good sized trees in your yard but don’t want to futz with mixing oil and gas and all that mess, then this 18-inch corded chainsaw from GreenWorks ($81 at Amazon) is for you. The toolless chain tensioning and auto-oiling keeps his full-size chainsaw ready to work, and the wraparound handle allows for multiple cutting positions when trimming at different angles. It cuts 12- to 14-inch logs and trees with ease, and comes with a 4-year warranty.
If you’re that guy who loves to cut his grass at the crack of dawn on Sunday morning, then do your neighbors a favor and invest in this battery-operated lawn mower from Sun Joe (buy it now for $280 at Home Depot). This model comes with a 16” cutting deck and the 600W brushless motor runs on 40-volt lithium-ion batteries. Sun Joe claims this whisper quiet machine can operate for 40 minutes on a single charge, so while it’s not the mower to choose if you’re cutting a yard the size of a football field, it will knock out a small- to medium-sized suburban lawn so quick your sleepy neighbors will never know you were there.
If there’s one tool in your garden shed that hasn’t changed much in the last 100 years, it’s the humble wheelbarrow. The Aerocart 8-in-1 Wheelbarrow/Yard Cart/Dolly by Worx (get it now for $154 at Walmart) changes that. This nifty contraption makes a 200-pound load feel like 17, thanks to its ingenious two-wheel design. It converts between a wheelbarrow, yard cart, bag holder, dolly, rock/plant mover, and trailer tote, and the flat free tires never need inflating. Add the optional AeroCart Wagon Kit ($69 at Amazon) and you’ve got a four-wheel wagon cart with cup holders and a seat.
With the Mosquito Magnet Executive Mosquito Trap ($752 from Amazon) on guard in your backyard, you’ll be doing your part to eliminate whole generations of these nasty and dangerous pests. Mosquito Magnet has several other models, but we like this one best because it saves money on propane by not wasting propane when the temperature falls below 50 degrees, or during the midday when mosquito activity is low. And it’s cordless, using a rechargeable battery which allows placement all over the yard without worrying about extension cords. Also traps midges, no-see-ums, and black flies.
When it comes time to wash the grime from your house, pool area, or driveway, you’ll appreciate being able to move your pressure washer around where you need it. With the Karcher K3 Follow Me ($152 at Amazon) and its Dirtblaster spray wand you get 1,800 psi to power away stubborn stains. The removable detergent tank is perfect for vehicle washing, and all hose connections feature a quick-connect system. The 4-wheel base with oversized rear wheels and durable front casters makes it a snap to roll around. If you live in an area where water restrictions are common, then you’ll appreciate the N-Cor pump, which allows drawing from a standing or collected water source such as rain barrels. When not in use, all the attachments store neatly on the unit.
