With the weather warming up, now is the time to think about how you want your yard to serve your family, pets and wildlife. Maybe you’re aiming to have the best yard on the block, want to install an outdoor family room or outdoor office, or want to expand your space for entertaining. Perhaps your kids or pets could use a better space for play. Regardless of need, now is the time to get “backyard ready” for spring. What tools do you need?

“Completing big outdoor jobs is always easier with help from outdoor power equipment,” said Kris Kiser, President and CEO of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute. “The right outdoor power equipment can help you get the work done faster and can help you safely maintain your yard.”

Here are some tips from Kiser to help you select the machinery you need to get the job done:

• Plan your needs. Draw a sketch of your yard. Include any major features like trees, bushes, an herb or vegetable garden, flower beds, lawn furniture, play or sports equipment, an outdoor patio or a bird bath. Note where maintenance may be required. Will bushes need to be trimmed back from your home or garage? Do you want to put in some flowering bushes or a tree? Are you planning to install a fence and more grass for your pet? List the tools and equipment needed to care for your yard and what will make the job easier. 

• Consider the equipment needed. Visit your garage or shed and find your lawn and garden tools. Wheel out your mower and get out other equipment. Look it over and list what is needed or could be upgraded. Repair anything that needs attention or identify where a newer or other machine is required. You may need a cultivator or tiller if you have a large vegetable garden. If you have a large lawn, an upgrade to a riding lawn mower might make mowing easier. A string trimmer might make caring for bushes or trimming grass near a fence line easier. A pole pruner can help trim back limbs too high to reach safely with a saw, and a leaf blower can clear leaves faster than a rake.

• Research equipment online before you buy. Think about efficiencies of scale. The right equipment can mean more time for other activities and make doing yard work more enjoyable. Doing online research in advance will help you pick the right equipment for the job. Outdoor power equipment can be gas, electric or battery-powered, and technology rapidly impacts product design. There are even robotic lawnmowers available today. Equipment may be sized to handle a more minor or massive job. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your needs.

• Ask questions. Talk with the staff at the store or ask online about the equipment. In the store, ask to pick up and hold equipment to determine its “fit” for you. Discuss safety features and ask about manufacturer fueling and care instructions. Find out how often equipment may need to be serviced.
• Make a plan for storage and maintenance. Store your equipment in a cool and dry place. It also should typically be serviced at the end of the fall and the beginning of the spring. Put service dates on your calendar with a reminder.

For more information, visit opei.org.