The colder weather is here, but there is still plenty of gardening work to do. (iStock)
Just because winter is here doesn’t mean gardening stops. Living in snowy climates means preparing for spring, while in warmer climates there are still weekly maintenance tasks. We rounded up lightweight chainsaws, Snow blowers that actually get the job done, and other garden products you should have on hand.
Original price: $199
When trees are bare, it is easier to prune branches. (Lowes)
Winter is the ideal time to prune low-hanging branches without leaves getting in the way. There are a variety of chainsaw options to help you get the job done. If you are new to using a chainsaw, a small one-handed saw is recommended Worx chainsaw Easily cuts small and medium-sized branches. Since it’s battery powered, there’s no need to lug around an extension cord. The hand protection is a lifesaver in case of accidental slips.
Kobalt’s battery-powered chainsaw is a further development with more intensive cutting power. Best suited for a smaller garden, the battery lasts about two and a half hours. The entire system oils itself automatically for easy maintenance.
If you need a powerhouse to saw through thick branches and logs, a gas-powered option will typically give you more power. A Craftsman gas powered chainsaw is lightweight and features a low-kickback rod that quickly cuts through the toughest hardwood. The easy pull-start start saves your shoulder when revving the engine, and an automatic oiler makes maintenance easier.
READ MORE: Fall cleanup tools that will also be helpful this winter
Original price: $999
Quickly plow paths through your garden with a cordless, petrol or electric snow blower. (Lowes)
Snow blowers are a must for anyone with long driveways in snowy regions. Clear your driveway or make paths for your dogs while saving you hours of shoveling. To choose the right snow blower, you need to size your yard and decide how much maintenance you’re willing to undertake.
A battery powered option like this one from Westinghouse is the easiest to maintain. Just make sure the batteries are charged regularly, use the start button and you’re ready to go without having to worry about gas, wires or spark plugs. Clear a path 18 inches wide and 10 inches deep and throw snow up to 20 feet. This Westinghouse only runs for about 15 minutes on a full charge, making it best for a shorter driveway or small garden. If you need a more powerful option, go for a Craftsman gas powered snow blower. It requires more maintenance like oil changes and adding fuel stabilizers in the warmer months, but it runs for hours. As a self-propelled model, there are six forward gears and two reserve gears, giving you full control.
Move snow the old-fashioned way with an ergonomic shovel. (Amazon)
Shoveling will save your grass from being dug up by a snow blower, but it does require some sand. Make your life easier with one Snow Joe shovel. It has an additional handle to help you in heavy, wet snow. The handle is mounted on a spring, which protects your back and shoulders from pain when you throw pile after pile of snow. The Suncast shovel You’ll also save your back thanks to the angled handle that allows you to push and shovel everything with one tool. It’s also easy to grip when throwing snow.
Save yourself the hard work of shoveling completely with one Wild Badger Electric Shovel. It clears snow up to 10 inches deep and 12 inches wide, ensuring efficient clearing of decks and driveways. With a throw height of up to 25 feet, it moves snow as well as most snow blowers.
Original price: $35.77
It’s never too early to prepare your lawn for spring. (Amazon)
Preparing your lawn for spring happens long before warmer weather returns. Adding a winter-ready lawn fertilizer to your garden will help your lawn stay beautiful even when covered in snow and encourage healthy growth once spring arrives. GreenThumb Winterizer Provides your lawn with continuous nutrients for up to 16 weeks, helping it survive winter stress. Enriched with controlled release nitrogen and 2% iron, roots are encouraged to grow deeply. A full bag covers up to 5,000 square feet.
Scott’s Turf Builder WinterGuard is another protective fertilizer that will help your lawn stay safe during the winter. It is a combination of weed killer and fertilizer that is applied to your lawn in late fall or early winter when temperatures are above freezing. The weed killing properties eliminate clover, dandelions and other unwanted plants when spring comes. Cover 4,000 square feet with a single bag.
Don’t damage your lawn with harsh rock salts. (Lowes)
Salt and sand wreak havoc on your lawn once the snow melts. Keep your lawn healthier with a natural salt that is free of harmful chemicals. Scotsthe popular lawn care brand, melts a pet-friendly, all-natural ice cream. It is safe for sidewalks and vegetation because it is a corn-based product with other natural ingredients that promote melting.
Snow Joe also melts environmentally friendly ice cream which combines time-release fertilizer for constant melting. It also contains no harmful ingredients that leave salt residue on your shoes and clothes, making it easier to keep your home clean in winter.
READ MORE: Garden tools every gardener should have
Get ready for spring with a new, lightweight lawnmower. (Lowes)
In warm climates where mowing occurs regularly even in winter, an updated lawn mower can get the job done faster. A EGO POWER cordless mower delivers up to 50 minutes of runtime, impressive for a battery-only option. Because it’s electric, there’s less noise, no cord to worry about, and significantly less maintenance. With the three-in-one model, you can choose between mulching, collecting or side-ejecting the leaves.
Homeowners with small yards can get a lightweight one Kobalt battery mower. Compact and easy to push, this mower is great for older users and even teenagers earning pocket money. The running time of 48 minutes is sufficient for smaller farms. When mowing, the leaves are mulched and disposed of in the attached bag.
For an old-school gasoline model driving through thick grass, the Craftsman 21 inch lawn mower is the right thing. The three-in-one system allows you to choose between mulching, bagging or side discharge. Simple but very effective: the double lever offers six heights, so you get the desired length of grass with each pass.
Further offers can be found at www.foxnews.com/deals
Tackle weeds and tall grass with a petrol or cordless trimmer. (Lowes)
Annoying weeds and hard-to-reach areas in the lawn can only be removed with a good grass trimmer. While there are dozens of options to choose from, Craftsman and Wild Badger are highly rated options that both offer different features. The Craft thread cutter is battery operated. This means a lightweight, smokeless model that is still powerful. A full charge gives you 25 minutes of tackling ugly weeds, with two speed settings available. Thanks to the ergonomic handle, overcoming rocky ledges or inclines is child’s play.
Hard, long, uncut yards require a little more power than a battery-powered string trimmer can provide. The Wild Badger gas powered trimmer is actually a double line cutter and brush cutter. The more powerful brush cutter blade cuts through overgrown vegetation and grass for faster cleanup. A helpful strap prevents strain on your back, especially when working in difficult terrain. The engine is a classic pull-to-start model, but it’s ready to go within five quick pulls.
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