5 Essential Garden Tools for the New Homeowner

We recently had a young couple move in next door to us. They moved from a one-bedroom apartment into a home with an established front and back yard they need to maintain. Of course, being the tool geek I am, I started talking to them about what tools they need to take care of their property. Having trees, shrubs, a lawn and flowers, I created a list of essential tools to help them maintain their new property. Top of my list for our new neighbors: a pair of loppers, hand pruners, folding saw, rake and shovel. Why these tools? Keep reading to find out!  

Maintaining the Established Yard

So you've bought a home with a landscaped front and back yard. It has some nice trees, a lawn and plenty of shrubs and flowers that will eventually need pruning and maintenance. With my new neighbor just getting started with a new home and a new baby on the way, buying power tools can be expensive. Also, noisy tools can startle a baby or wake them up from their nap. And let's face it, no one ever wants to make that mistake! I recommend saving the power lawn mower for a time when mom takes the baby out for a walk or runs to the store.

The Essential Tools

With my young neighbors in mind, I put together this list of helpful hand tools that can get the job done for them. They are admittedly new to caring for the yard, and it's not something they necessarily find joy in doing. So, the tools I selected were designed to help make the tasks easier and get the job done quickly.

DualLINK™ Bypass Lopper (SL 4264)—These loppers assist with making cuts. They have a compound lever that amplifies the amount of force, requiring less effort to get through a cut. Think of lifting a heavy weight tied to a series of pulleys. One pulley puts 100% of the weight on you. Add more pulleys, and the task will become much easier. That's what DualLINK provides. They also have ComfortGEL® grips and a ShockGaurd™ bumper system so that you won't feel sore the next day.

FlexDIAL® Bypass Pruner (BP 4214D)—I chose this hand pruner for several reasons. The adjustable dial allows them to use the tool and get a custom fit for their hand size. He can use them on the widest setting to prune back branches and stems up to 3/4 in. She can use them with a lower setting to go out and cut some roses to bring into the house. When the baby gets older and wants to help in the garden, setting FlexDIAL to 1 can be a great tool they can use too. Supervised, of course!

RazorTOOTH Saw® - 8 in Folding Saw—This is one of the most helpful tools for any household. It makes quick work of larger limbs and branches, with a well-designed blade that helps keep the cutting channel free of sawdust and pulp. Just a few pull strokes are all it takes to complete a cut. They also come in handy for camping, out on the trails and cutting off the bottom of the Christmas tree before you bring it inside.

Spring Brace Rake (RK 24061)—Since my neighbor will be cutting his own lawn, a rake is essential to help rake up the grass clippings that don't make it in the catcher. The magnolia leaves that fall in the summer here can also clutter the lawn quickly in between mowings, so this will help keep things tidy.

#2 Round Point Shovel (SS 26000)—Inevitably, once you've lived in a new home for a while, you'll want to make some personal changes to make your landscape reflect your personality and tastes. That's when you start looking at the shrub that was planted long before you moved in and think it's time to be replaced with something else. Having a shovel to dig up, plant, or remove a plant is work almost every new homeowner will want to do.

What More Could You Use?

So far, my neighbor has appreciated my suggestion, and I've seen them out using some of their new tools already. I told him that if he ever needs something else, I know a guy who might have the right tool for the job. For those who have recently moved into a new home, tell us in the comments what you found to be your essential tools for maintaining your landscape and garden!

About Corona:

Corona Tools was born in the orange groves of Southern California in 1928. Our roots began with an invention that revolutionized the citrus industry. Since then, we’ve been designing superior garden and landscape tools for hard working professionals and gardeners, who take pride in a job well done. For generations, our customers have relied on Corona’s strength and durability. For over 90 years, Corona has established itself as a leading professional tool brand, primarily within North America. Part of the global Venanpri Tools family of hand tool brands, our tools are carried in retail stores, local garden centers, and landscape, agriculture and arborist suppliers.  

About Venanpri Tools:

Venanpri Tools is a global collective of the finest hand tool brands for agriculturists, horticulturists, gardeners, landscape and construction professionals. The cumulative experience of the Bellota, Burgon & Ball and Corona brands represents nearly 500 years of advancement in developing superior hand tools. With a global footprint spanning more than 125 countries across 6 continents, our brands have been the leading choice for generations of professionals who rely on quality and lasting performance.