When considering basic tools for lawn care, we should consider that it was just over a century ago grass was once cut with a hand scythe - if folks cut it at all. Lawn care was not an important chore back then. However, today you will find dozens of tools. The come in varieties that are hand held, use electricity or are gas powered. Each is considered vital if you want to keep your lawn green and in shape.

A lawnmower is the most basic lawn care tool to consider. It’s odd to think of a living organism as needing to be sliced to stay healthy, but as a professional gardener acquaintance once said ‘Grass likes to be cut’. To accomplish that, a good lawnmower is a necessity. Though among the more expensive items in the tool set, if maintained well it will last forever.

Keep the blade sharp, the spark plug clean and (if it has one) the air filter changed. Change the oil as you would on a car, every season.

Keeping the lawn neat is almost always a matter that can’t be completely carried out just by mowing, though. A trimmer or edger is needed. The two basic types are the old-fashioned two blade model with a long handle. Running the blade alongside patio bricks, steps and other edges keeps the lawn trim and looking good.

The other type of trimmer uses a whirling device with a plastic string that spins out a few inches. This plastic then cuts off grass or other items you aim it at, so be careful of your trophy rose bushes. Gas powered are more expensive than electric. They tend to be lightweight and if found on sale, inexpensive You will need to replace the coil of plastic string every few months, but that is a minor expense.

On your list of basic lawn care tools should be a spreader or two is vital for evenly laying out fertilizer, weed killer and other compounds that help keep the lawn weed free, healthy and looking great. One sort is like a small lawnmower with no blade, just a tub with small holes and a roller that dispense material. Easy to use and long-lasting, they’re adjustable for a variety of applications.

A different style of spreader is a small hand-held piece. It is normally plastic and you dispense your compounds using a rotary handle. These are great for broadcasting grass seed and for repairing small bald lawn areas. You can use it to distribute other dry ingredients such as fertilizer beads and the like.

A rake is one of your most basic lawn care tools. It is handy for more than just piling up leaves in the late fall. Though it’s important to use for that. Leaves left on the ground can cause grass to overheat or get too little water. In areas that get winter snow, at the end of the season the grass will be compressed into thatch.

Thatching means that your grass blades are overlaying each other and stifling the air flow from reaching the soil correctly. You will want to de-thatch the lawn by either using a power tool or your trusty low tech hand rake.

A long fork or narrow blade, long-handled shovel spade is great for spot removal of weeds. The larger square or rounded shovel will also be needed though for post hole-digging, transferring soil and plants and a dozen other tasks around the yard.

If you are smart and stock up on the basic lawn care tools and you work to keep them in good shape than your lawn care chores will be easier to get done. At least easier than your great grand dad had it using his scythe.