Tools for Fall Garden and Yard Cleanup

While temperatures have begun to cool here in Corona, CA, many parts of the county are already seeing their first frost and snow in some northern states. Before winter sets in, it's a good time to rake up leaves from the lawn and spread them as leaf mulch in planter beds, clear out spent vegetable plants, add them to the compost bin for enriched soil in the spring, remove tree limbs that are damaged or could be potential hazards during winter storms, clean, and sharpen tools to be ready for late-winter pruning, and plant bulb flowers. Considering it's daylight savings and that Mother Nature enjoys throwing us a curve ball with extreme weather now and then, the following essential tools will help get the job done quickly. Read on to find out which tools we recommend and share your essentials for fall cleanup.

Wheelbarrow and HipTrug

Depending on the size of your planting beds on your property, a wheelbarrow can be a huge timesaver. A 6—or 10-cubic-foot wheelbarrow is perfect for hauling spent plants to the compost bin. 

The new Burgon & Ball Hip-Trug clips on easily and is an ingenious way to collect any remaining fruits and veggies you come across, keeping your hands free to pull out spent plants and keep moving.

Ensilage Fork

Spreading a thick layer of mulch in the garden and planting beds is one of the best things you can do this time of year. A wide ensilage fork with narrow-spaced tines will help transfer the debris from the mulch pile to the wheelbarrow fast and efficiently. You can move large amounts of material at once, saving you time instead of burning daylight during the shortened fall days. A fork can also be used to turn your compost so that come spring, you will have rich compost ready for garden beds.

Extended Handle Garden Tools

Clean up spent vegetable plants and weeds and easily spread mulch in your raised planter beds. These extended tools are the perfect length to reach plants in the center of the planter and smooth out the soil. For temperate climates, consider planting cover crops when you're done, which helps prevent soil erosion and control the spread of weeds while enriching and improving the soil for spring planting. If you're in an area that freezes, lay down a thick layer of leaves or cardboard to help control weeds and protect the soil.

Extra Large Rake

Tree leaves are nature's gift to your garden and landscape. While some homeowners look at them as a chore to collect, bag and put out on the curb, like mulch, leaves do wonders for your planters. They provide a thick layer of leaf mulch and a home for natural wildlife that need shelter in the winter months. Take the chore out of this fall task with a wide rake like the BigLOAD. You will get the job done twice as fast.

Hand Saw

If you're a property owner with trees, a saw is an absolute must-have tool. While fall is not the ideal time for pruning, once the leaves have fallen, it's a great time to see any damaged, dead, or diseased tree limbs. Left on the tree, these limbs could become potential hazards during winter storms, especially if they are near any structures that could result in extensive property damage.

Tool Sharpener

A tool sharpener may very well be a property owner's best friend in the garden. During this time of year, colder climate gardeners would instead be working outside, but it's a great opportunity to do some tool maintenance and cleaning indoors. Clean off the remaining dirt and debris from the cutting and digging tools. Then, grab your handy tool sharpener to give them a quick sharpening. The small carbide file takes a few seconds, so tools are ready to go to work when it's time for late winter pruning.

Garden Trowel and Kneelos

Once you've got your yard in shape and ready for winter, fall is an excellent time to plant some spring bulbs. A trowel with a built-in depth gauge helps ensure you're planting them at the right depth. The sharpened tip helps drive the tool into the soil, while the ComforGEL grip helps absorb the shock to the hands. Its comfortable grip helps prevent aching hands and blisters the day after.

Just as important, don't forget a pair of comfortable Kneelo knee pads or kneelers to protect your knees while you're digging in the soil.

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.