Is it worth buying a jet washer?

By Alexander on 18th November

For some people owning a jet washer may seem like a waste of money as they may feel that they will not use it regularly but if you do buy one you may be surprised at how useful they really are.

Washing a vehicle or a touring caravan can be a tiring and arduous task but with a jet washer it changes jobs to be avoided to a simple task. The powerful jet of water makes easy work of removing dirt and grim from the paintwork of the vehicle and when cleaning a caravan, the difficult job of cleaning the roof becomes a doddle.

If you have slabbed areas in the garden the slabs can get dirty and covered with algae and make the patio look unkempt. Using a jet washer to clean the slabs can totally transform the area and bring out the colours of the natural stone and remove unwanted debris. If the garden has decked areas these can become slippery during the winter months but a quick clean with a jet washer will remove algae ready for the decking to be treated with wood preservative.

So, although it may seem a bit of a luxury to own a jet washer the chances are if you do buy one you will be glad you did.

Is your lawnmower up to the job?

By Alexander on 30th June

Out of all the garden tools that are available probably the most useful to those with grassed areas is a lawnmower. Lawnmowers started out as a simple contraption consisting of a cylinder with blades that when pushed along would cut the grass, but lawnmowers have come a long way since then and can be found in different sizes to suit every lawn and powered in a variety of ways to make the task of mowing the lawn easier.

Small electric lawnmowers are best if the lawned area is not large and there is access to an electricity supply where the mower can be plugged in. If this is not the case, battery lawnmowers are now available promising that a small lawn can be mowed on a single charge. Robotic lawnmowers are even on sale now that can be set off and will mow the grass without anyone having to intervene.

Larger gardens can present problems when it comes to mowing the grass as a smaller electric mower may struggle to cut the grass efficiently. A self-propelled petrol mower is a much better option in this case as it will cope with a large lawn and even one that is sloped in places. Of course, for a very large area a ride-on mower is advised.

What is a Garden Multi-tool?

By Jim on 7th September

A garden multi-tool will help you complete various jobs with just one power tool. It will act as a hedge trimmer, bush trimmer, shrub trimmer and general garden help. It will come with different heads in order to be used for its different purposes.

Choose a multi-tool if you are a keen gardener and want the convenience of using one garden appliance that has different functions. Most multi-tools will come with :

  • A cutting head. This is used for cutting weeds, small trees and vegetation.
  • A trimmer head. Use this to cut weeds and grass.
  • A pruning head. The pruning attachment is useful for cutting down tree branches and larger plants.
  • A hedge trimmer. There will be various sizes, so choose a multi-tool that will suit your purpose.

Some multi-tools also come with more premium features – they may be anti-vibration, for example, to allow for easier and safer use. Weigh up the options against the price to find your optimum choice.

Chainsaws for Use in the Garden

By Jim on 14th July

Chainsaws are big and powerful pieces of equipment. They can have many uses in the outdoors, for cutting down trees, hedges and branches. More often than not they are used by professionals and usually equipment like this will only be sold to qualified tree surgeons who can prove what they do for a living.

The best chainsaws are very light so that they can easily be used at height. They will usually be petrol operated and some are more environmentally friendly than others depending on their emissions. Some chainsaws will have an anti-vibration system and an easy start system in place, making them easier to use. Make sure to always use them as instructed and to wear safety equipment where required, such as protective clothing and headphones to block out the noise. Chainsaws are by no means cheap so if you are thinking about buying one, choose a good brand that comes with a guarantee.

The Leaf Blower – an Important Garden Tool

By Jim on 13th March

Leaf blowers, or simply blowers, are tools that are used for moving rubbish, grass cuttings and leaves, usually within a garden or other outdoor space. They are powered by motors that make use of fuel or electrics in order to run. They can be both handheld or back mounted – these models will usually be used for the larger jobs that require a bigger, heavier machine.

Leaf blowers might also be used to collect up rubbish and twigs. Not all models will just move leaves around and some will be able to suck them in and gather them together as well. These pieces of equipment might be used by a professional gardener or another professional person as part of their employment, rather than just by a gardener wanting to keep their garden looking pretty.

You will be able to find leaf blowers of varying strengths for different sized jobs. They will help to keep outside spaces looking neat and tidy as well as making them safer for children and pets.