Black & Decker Electric Blower Vacuum

The Black & Decker Electric Leaf Blower and Vaccum is available at a tremendous price and represents the height of electric technology. Reversible abilities allow for picking up leaves and grass as well as dispersing them at 240 MPH - a virtually astronomical power for such a small package. This three-in-one blower, vacuum, and mulcher keeps your yard and driveway neat and tidy and handles even wet piles of leaves. 240 MPH blow speed and 385 CFM air volume, combined with an ergonomic two-speed switch gives more control around garden beds. This baby weighs 15.4 pounds and carries a 2-year warranty. It includes a Leaf Blaster nozzle, a vacuum attachment with tube, leaf bag with zipper, adjustable shoulder strap, and air concentrator. These features and its lightweight but durable construction make it a true keeper.

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The Jaw Horse

The Jaw Horse is a remarkable and quite innovative new tool. As used in the attached picture, it is as good as - if not better - than having another set of human hands on the job. Its 3 leg set up triangulates weight distribution, making an actually sturdier unit for working atop of as well as making a far easier leveling task. It's frankly amazing clamping strength, on top, rated at 1,000 lbs, securely clamps into place any number of possible items, from tile saw trays to chop saws and the likes. By clamping, one can address doors, odd shapes of all kinds, even plywood with the secure knowledge that the item will stay in place tightly, with no movement.

This is simply a breath taking bit of technology and I will not hesitate in the slightest in recommending it as a must have adjunct to anyone who installs fences, makes garden structures or even for the homeowner and his dozens of private projects. A video accompanies this link which I believe is also a must-see, simply to acquaint oneself with the very latest in construction products. This is not your late night, fly-by-night item. This is very real.

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Lawngrips Women's Landscaping Shoes

These Lawngrips Women's Landscaping Shoes are your basic clog. What few people know is that this landscaper also wore clogs whenever I could - and we're talking some serious gardening! Easy to get in and out of, they also supply waterproof separation from the consistently wet soils we tend to deal with in gardens. Aside from that, of course, there is the good old muck, the manure, the weeds and seeds, the clippings, the spent blooms - need I go on about the stuff we walk in? These are actually nice to look at, too. The Nimbus uppers are waterproofed leather and the outsole is butyl rubber with an EVA midsole. Nimbus contains a composite shank and a removable, washable and anti-microbial insole. These provide support and comfort for all-day gardening. This is a great gardening appliance and one's feet will thank you.

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Electrical Tools Starter Set

The Greenlee Starter Set is perfect for homeowners and hobbyists who are just beginning to find uses for electrical products in their local purview's. Absolutely perfect for outdoor lighting work, this set has a set of wire-strippers/cutter, a GT-11 non-contact voltage detector, which can give fast, easy, non-contact voltage detection, with a bright LED and audible alarm if voltage is present. Also included is a "screwdriver" - a i6-In-1 multi-tool, containing #1 and #2 square recess, 6mm flat tip and #2 Phillips and 1/4" & 5/16" hex fittings for just about any primary electrical connection problem. Cheap, quick and easy, repairs and installations begin with these items and can actually stay that way. Few are the landscapers, for example, who do not own any or all of these items, especially in these days where Landscape Lighting has become so prevalent. Bear in mind the electrical uses otherwise, as well, from irrigation controllers and boxes out in the field to lighting and some work inside the house itself. This is a minimum must-have for electrical work.

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Electrical Tools Starter Set

Heavy Duty Extension Cords

The Coleman Cable Low Temp Outdoor Extension Cord With Lighted End acknowledges the fact that not everything in the world comes with a battery. Indeed, the simple fact of the matter is that the celebration of the newer and more powerfully efficient electrical power tools and garden aids is nearly enough to enjoy quieter and less polluting work all on its own. When I buy cords any more, I also prefer the "lit ends", which can tell one from a distance whether or not a cord is properly plugged in and whether any downsides are inside the unit being used itself or in the simple act of needing a better contact back at the source. The three-prong technology is pretty much a no brainer, inasmuch as the amount of power carried over a line any more requires an additional bit of security. Geared for use and maintaining flexibility down to -45 degrees F, this cord is a true workhorse. Whether the length is adequate or not would be my only thought concerning whether or not to purchase this item for my outdoor electrical needs.

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Power Tools - The Big Set Of Cordless Tools

The Dewalt 18 Volt XRP 6-Tool Cordless Set is pretty much the state of the art of cordless sets. I have owned more than one of these as my own business expanded and I found, then, that each crew gained immensely from owning these bad boys. Now, having said that, my uses are not exactly homeowner type usages. But, frankly, each tool may very well be a goal, just in themselves. I list them here to show the potential and the variety of cordless tools. Their utility is something else entirely. I use Sawzalls for all sorts of purposes, including cutting pipe, deep inside hard to get to trenches. I use the cordless Skil Saw to top fences and to make fast cuts in the field of such things as posts for guying trees and even for cutting metal fence posts. The grinder is an awesome tool for finishing off concrete pavers and adjusting them to fitting. Needless to say, the screwdriver and drill functions are necessary to the max. Even the light is amazingly handy. My adoration of the technology which permitted the newly-developed power and durability of these tools is off the charts. These are the ultimate in labor saving technology. No cords, no concerns about water and electrifying oneself - it's all right here, in one package.

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Electric Lawn & Landscape Edger

This Black and Decker Landscape Edger is an incredible bit of technology. Improvements in electrical appliance technology and in ball bearing and technology in general are providing electrical solutions to old landscaping problems by the dozen. Dealing with gas mixes and carburetors can be time-consuming and far too complex for most homeowners and even professionals in the long run. What newer technologies offer is a unit such as this which pumps out 2.25 HP from a simple electrical outlet. This implies a hard-working and most durable metallic blade which can cut through overgrowth and messy edges like nobody's business. Like the electrical chain saws and weed-eaters now available on the market, these appliances make work at home far quieter and much less messy, and without the polluting fossil fuel - based machine work. This comes in vsarious sizes but this one may very well be the best, depending on the application of a reasonable sized home. This one will last for years.

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Plastair 25'- 50' - 75' Spring Hose

The Plastair Spring Hose comes in a variety of lengths and is one of the greatest ideas ever. Lightweight, yet far more durable than the standard garden hoses, the Spring Hose is an idea whose time has come. Its light weight removes the fatigue-factor from hosing things down and provides an easy-storage hose that is simple to hook up and as easy to operate.

This is a polyurethane coiled water hose that is extremely flexible, lightweight, compact, it is UV resistant and comes with a lifetime warranty. A great alternative to standard rubber & PVC water hoses for use in lawn & garden, marine, and RVs. In the end, it completely eliminates the use of a hose reel.

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Mini Indoor Gardening Set

The Rumford Gardener Mini Idoor garden Set is an well-needed item for anyone who has abundant indoor plantings to maintain and care for. As a person with large hands and who tries - often - to use large tools for indoor tasks, believe me when I say there are times when smaller tools are called for. My history has me breaking any wild number of vases and plastic thingies, let me put it that way. A more delicate touch is required indoors. This little set is perfect for such small endeavors, as numerous as they may be. Nothing here is on the over-built side of rustic but monstrous toolage. Believe me when i mention size matters. In this case, smaller is much, much better.

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Folding Pruning Saw

This Silky Folding Landscaping Saw I recommend because I have used it. Folding pruning saws are fairly common and one can easily pick one up down at Home Depot or somewhere for a one time use for a bit less money. My experience with this one, however is something more than memorable. Somehow, the formation and manufacture of the teeth on this saw make its cutting time far faster than even the best other brands. These saws can universally surprise anyone who takes on limbs and branches with even the most average one's ability to quickly slice through wood. They are simply fairly stunning, even at their worst. But what this saw did for me - who had used them for decades - was not only surprise me with the speed of the cutting, but the sheer durability of the unit itself. And not only that, but the handle fits a hand with stunningly more comfort. It's hard to aver that someone should spend something extra on something they may only need to use a few times. But for anyone who has repeated journeys up into trees for purposes of pruning, there is no other saw I could possibly recommend more.

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Electric Landscape Edger

This Black and Decker Electric Landscape Edger is just like what the professionals use - metal blade and all - but it comes at a stunningly fair price and without the ultra-power of the machine driven ones. At the same time, this item has plenty of Oomph to do the job for a single homeowner and represents yet another very cool movement towards quieter, cleaner and less dangerous equipment for the average Joe like us. What many people tend to overlook is the power electricity delivers. In terms of sheer torque, this one rivals gas-powered units. It is far cleaner to operate, has fewer parts to go South and it still represents the best possible way to edge lawns and sidewalk edges. This is a heck of a little machine.

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Garden Hopper Mobile Garden Stool and Storage

This Mobile Garden Stool And Storage device is not funny. I know, I know, I can hear the questions already: "Why on Earth is this even here, posed by a supposed serious landscaper and gardener?" Well, it's an easy answer to anyone who knows the field. Bending over gets exhausting. Standing up, bending over, sitting down - repeatedly, in just about that order - are even more exhausting. From working inside irrigation boxes to weeding and planting bulbs, from installing lighting systems to dealing with wet ground on the rear end of pants - these factors all contribute to a longing for just this unit. It carries around my 250 pound friend with no problem, scooting across grass and dirt at the typical glacial speed we gardeners operate at. It also gives a spot to leave a cell phone, tools, parts, gizmo's and the likes without picking them all up and scooting them, along with ourselves, to our next destination. Honestly, the height of this is ideal as is the concept itself. Frankly, I cannot recommend this tidy little unit higher.

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High-Powered Electric Snow Blower

This amazing Electric Snow Blower has actually been oin the market for quite a while. It actually runs at more RPM than gas-powered models and no one needs convincing that electrical appliances are far less smelly, less polluting and less prone to breakdown than any gasoline-powered anything. What's most interesting about this model is it's power. It can definitely fling some snow. Yes, it does have some limitations - predictably those relate to the overall amount of snow. The cord does have to be drug around but most people claim to clean off driveways of 30-50 feet two cars wide in less than a half hour. Make no mistake, under a foot of snow, this works as well as any unit in its class. A friend of mine has had one now for 4 years and he loves it. 25 pounds of snow blowing power is nothing to sneeze at. Plus, it's clean!

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The Multi-Talented Manure Fork

The Ames True Temper 10 Tine Manure Fork is more than just a pretty face! The variety of jobs this fork can do around the home and in the landscape is fairly astounding. Perfect for removing and piling leaves in containers or wheelbarrows, it is lighter and easier to handle than shovels for tasks such as loading mulch, grass clippings, and garden debris for removal.

Truthfully, I have used this as a true secret weapon of productivity and I am being 100% honest. Picking up stuff off the ground gets tiring, bending over or using shovels to try and not gouge the grass. With this hot little item, you can darn near clean up every morsel with a few swipes. I would include this in any list of a building tool repertoire without batting an eye. Oh yeah - it also handles manure great! This is a tool from Above.

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Garden Maintenance Set - Battery Powered

This Black and Decker Garden Maintenance Set is among the most successful battery-powered sets offered in the market. I actually used this set up myself to great effect. It is entirely possible to get less expensive items which are less durable. In fact, there is a rather glutted market of these products in general, with many suspect name brands entering the market. The result is a mysterious combination of elements which don't satisfy the way one would want - and at some expense! These 3 items are excellent for the real work of landscaping and gardening and provide durabiltiy with reliable performance. Nor does one need the entire set, of course. It's just that these particular products have been proven over my own experience, thus my recommendations. I highly recommend any one or all of these particularly helpful gardening items.

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Just Like Dad!

Battery Operated Tool Set, just like dad uses. I don't do this that often, but I surely recall wanting to pull out my own tools when my Dad went to work around the house. Naturally, I had a more primitive setup - including a belt! - but this one matches well all those new-fangled power tools all of our dads are sporting these days, from battery-powered drills to Sawzall's and Skil Saws. This is "just for kids", seeing as how the drills don't really drill anything, although let me be the first to applaud the functioning power light! You have hammer, pliers, even a generator to make your kid's world a perfect reflection of the working world's aims. Help Dad by using your own doggone tools! You'll never have to borrow a tool again!

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Battery-Operated Timer For Hoses and Gardens

This Nelson Battery-Operated Hose Timer is an interesting product and is grouped with a wide number of competing products, all of whom are of reasonable quality and durability - and whose timing has good reliability - when treated right. I stress the latter - "When treated right" - because we are speaking generally of using a plastic product attached to one of metal. And that is about the only caveat I would counsel using this amazingly great labor-saving device. These are honestly pretty fantastic things. What you have in this small unit is "Freedom", in the end. For those people who long to travel, yet feel the tug of all the effort they put into establishing their Summer gardens, this item - or ones like it - are a virtual dream come true. It is the same with lawns or anything which your hose can attach to and actually water on a regular basis. Labor-saving and security-enhancing, these small battery-powered timers are the next best thing to having a literal irrigation system. This Nelson is a product from a very reliable company whose business has always been irrigation.

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A History of The Shovel

From ancient times, shovels or some form of them have been utilized for grubbing for food to burying people. Interestingly, just about the only really noteworthy breakthrough in the history of the shovel itself was the move towards using metal in their construction. Actually, this was a major change and allowed for far deeper digging as opposed to using the older versions which were composed mainly of hardwood business ends.

An ancient mining discovery found by anthropologists in Turkey revealed an ancient, one piece, carved wooden shovel dating from approximately 2,000 B.C. It was about 12 inches wide at it's scooping end, 27" long and the handle was about 2.5 inches in diameter. Well-preserved owing, in part at least to the hardness of the wood, this shovel was obviously used manually in a mining operation.

Here's an interesting take on the Religious role of the shovel from Wikipedia. Beware the Shovel!:

"The shovel is worshiped in many religions today although it may not seem noticeable at first. The Buddhism god, Gishnu, an 8 armed elephant, wielded 8 shovels when the Buddhists fought the terrorists at the battle of El Alamein in ancient times. The elephant slaughtered thousands of foes and it was decided amongst the other gods that this elephant should not hold the 8 shovels of power. These shovels were spread all over the world in each of the 7 ancient wonders. One shovel is said to be amongst us, keeping guard of the long forgotten world of the shovels. These shovels all over the world remain dormant, hidden away in safe locations."

In the Northernmost areas of the world, Eskimo's utilized the bones of whales and and walruses to make themselves shovels they used for carving ice and building igloos, cutting through ice to fish and the numerous cold weather uses they would need. "Walrus Scapulae" were deemed perfect for this work.

In Great Britain, early man heated his place by burning peat, cut and sectioned out by shovel from the many resources of this interesting fuel.

Imagine making just about anything in the garden world without a shovel. It might be a crime!

There is little need to question the need for shovels. Particularly, when considering our ancient agricultural past, the shovel would have to be assumed to be a most common and among the very earliest essential tools. No doubt it is preceded - as always - by weaponry, yet it remains one of the quintessential tools raising us from the caves and bushes of our past into the most modern times.

Garden Rake

This garden rake to me is pretty easy to advocate in nearly any form at all. While I would advise staying away from cheaper models owing to the strength of the steel or metals comprising the thing and the handle's composition, almost any mid range priced rake or above is pretty much just about perfect. Fiberglass or wood handles - either one - make excellent and long-lasting tools. A tiny caveat: The one personal preference I have developed for rake handles - on the issue of whether to go for the fiberglass ones or wood - deals with their girth. I always enjoyed the thinner wooden handles, myself. Particularly for longer hours spent at the end of one, a thinner handle always seemed somehow more Snedeker-ergonomic. ;-)

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