There’s a tree in the garden opposite our house that’s absolutely huge. Honestly, it’s the sort of tree that belongs in the middle of a forest rather than someone’s back garden and while I absolutely love looking at it through the summer, I’m definitely not quite as fond of it at this time of year.
The leaves are EVERYWHERE!
They’re all over our garden, the paths and the front of the house, and somehow they’re constantly finding their way indoors too. I’m forever picking up leaves that have been trampled through the house and it’s driving me a little bit mad now.
Our neighbour, who owns the giant tree, bought himself a leaf blower last week and I’ve been watching him head outside every day to clear up the leaves. I’ve been joking that within half an hour of him finishing, you wouldn’t even know he’d bothered because another load have fallen down to replace them.
Anyway, after picking up yet another leaf that had found its way into the house, we decided it was time to invest in a leaf blower of our own. And honestly, after just one afternoon of using it, I think it’s changed our lives. 😂
I can’t believe we’ve managed without one for so long!
It did get me thinking about how much easier it is to keep a garden tidy when you’ve got the right tools for the job, but also how easy it would be to spend a small fortune on garden equipment if you bought everything that promised to make life easier.
I’m definitely not suggesting everyone needs to rush out and buy a leaf blower, but I do think there are some things worth spending money on if they’re going to get plenty of use. Equally, there are lots of garden jobs that really don’t need anything fancy at all.
Make the most of what you’ve already got
Before buying anything new for the garden, it’s worth having a good look at what you’ve already got tucked away in the shed or garage. It’s surprising how many jobs can be managed with a decent rake, a stiff broom, a spade and a pair of secateurs.
I think it’s easy to get carried away when you see all the lovely gardening equipment in the shops, especially in spring when everywhere seems to be full of things you never knew you needed. But there’s not much point spending money on something that’s going to be used once and then forgotten about.
Have a think about the jobs you actually do regularly and whether you’ve already got something that does the job perfectly well.
Borrow things you’ll only use occasionally
If there’s a piece of garden equipment you only need once or twice a year, it might make more sense to borrow it rather than buy your own.
Friends, family and neighbours might have exactly what you need sitting in their sheds, and hiring equipment for a day can be another option if it’s something more expensive.
Obviously, you’d want to make sure anything you borrow is in good working order and that you know how to use it safely. And for bigger jobs like cutting down large trees, I’d always leave that to someone who knows what they’re doing.
There’s no point saving a few pounds if you’re going to end up with a much bigger problem!
Know when it’s worth investing in something
Our new leaf blower is a perfect example of this for me. We could absolutely have carried on using a rake and a broom to clear up the leaves, but with the sheer amount that fall from the tree opposite, it’s a job that needs doing over and over again.
That’s why I think it’s worth looking at things like cordless leaf blowers if you’ve got a similar problem. Being able to quickly clear the paths and garden without dragging out a rake every time makes such a difference.
Of course, if you’ve only got a tiny garden with a handful of leaves, you probably don’t need one at all. It’s about working out whether something will genuinely make your life easier and whether you’ll use it enough to justify what you’ve spent.
If you’re buying a cordless tool, it’s also worth checking the weight, battery life and how much space you’ll need to store it before making a decision.
Don’t forget to check what’s included in the price
One thing that’s definitely worth checking when buying cordless garden equipment is whether the price includes the battery and charger.
Some tools are sold on their own, which is great if you’ve already got compatible batteries at home, but not so great if you discover you’ve got to spend quite a bit more before you can actually use your new purchase.
If you’ve already got cordless tools from the same manufacturer, you might be able to use batteries you already own, although it’s worth checking they’re compatible with the specific tool you’re buying.
I always think it’s better to compare the total price rather than just the headline price, because something that looks like a bargain can suddenly become much less of one once you add everything else you need.
Put your garden waste to good use
Not everything you clear out of the garden needs to go straight into the garden waste bin.
Leaves can be collected and left to break down into leaf mould, which can be lovely for improving your soil, and plenty of garden cuttings can be added to a compost heap too.
You could also think about collecting rainwater to use on your plants, or swapping spare plants and cuttings with friends and neighbours rather than buying everything new.
And while we’re talking about keeping gardens tidy, I don’t think they need to be absolutely spotless all the time. Leaving a little area with some leaves or natural growth can be brilliant for wildlife, so there’s definitely a balance between keeping things looking nice and letting nature do its thing.
Get everyone involved
Keeping the garden tidy doesn’t need to fall to one person, especially if you’ve got children who can help with some of the smaller jobs.
Things like putting outdoor toys away, watering plants and collecting leaves by hand are all jobs that children can help with, depending on their age. Obviously, anything involving sharp tools or powered equipment is best left to the adults.
Even just spending ten minutes outside together clearing up can make a difference, and it’s much nicer than leaving everything until the garden looks like it’ll take a whole weekend to sort out.
Look after the tools you’ve got
This is probably one of the simplest ways to save money in the garden because if you look after your tools properly, they’ll hopefully last you much longer.
Cleaning tools after using them, making sure they’re dry before putting them away and storing them somewhere suitable can all help keep them in good condition.
It’s also worth following the manufacturer’s advice for looking after batteries and chargers if you’ve got cordless equipment, as different tools can have different requirements.
A little bit of maintenance throughout the year is much cheaper than constantly replacing things that haven’t been looked after.
A little and often makes all the difference
I think the biggest thing with keeping a family garden tidy is not letting everything build up until it feels like a massive job. A quick tidy here and there is much easier to fit into everyday life than spending an entire weekend trying to get everything back under control.
And while I wouldn’t usually recommend buying something new when you’ve already got tools that do the job, our leaf blower has definitely reminded me that sometimes it’s worth investing in something that’ll make a job easier.
Although, looking at the tree opposite, I suspect we’re going to be putting ours to good use for quite a while yet. 😂
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