Essential Outdoor Power Equipment You Need To Maintain Your Yard For Each Season

Whether we like it or not, yard maintenance is a year-round necessity, even in the depths of winter and most definitely at the height of summer. But in order to maintain your yard most effectively, every homeowner should have the proper tools and accessories to get the job done. And on top of that, it's incredibly helpful to have some tools with a little extra kick to help you get some of the larger, most difficult projects done with ease. Having a bank of power tools at the ready for every season comes in quite handy for major maintenance tasks, as powered equipment lets you tackle many of the same jobs faster and more precisely than you would with hand tools. 

Seasonally, the power tools you'll need to maintain your yard will change. In winter, a snow blower and a portable generator will help you get through the worst of snowstorms. In spring, powered weed removal tools will help you keep the yard free of unwanted plants. Once summer is in full swing, mowers and pressure washers will be your go-to power tools, whereas leaf-clearing and late-fall tree pruning are much easier when you have a trusty leaf blower and a chainsaw. Whether you're tackling a large overgrown lawn in the warmer months or have an abundance of fallen leaves in the yard, these essential pieces of outdoor power equipment will save you a lot of time and effort, so you'll be able to enjoy the changing seasons without overexerting yourself.

A snow blower is the absolute essential winter tool you need for your yard, particularly if your house sits on long stretches of sidewalk or has a lengthy driveway. Shoveling snow is back-breaking work, with medical professionals warning that you're at risk for back and neck injuries if you're shoveling manually. With a snow blower at your disposal, you can make this winter yard maintenance task so much easier on your body.

There are several kinds of snow blowers you can choose from. For areas of the country that experience light dustings of snow regularly, an electric snowblower ought to suffice. However, if you are in a region that gets heavy, wet snow, you'll want the power of a gas snow blower. Single-stage snow blowers (or snow throwers, as they're also known), do well in light to medium snowfalls; however, for those massive storms, a two-stage blower that cuts and blows snow away is a better idea. Always keep snow blower safety in mind when you're using the tool. 

A portable generator is also a great wintertime asset. Snow, ice, and heavy winds can break tree branches, causing them to knock down power lines. If a winter storm in your area causes a power outage, a portable generator can help charge essential tools and devices you need to maintain a safe environment. 

Springtime means getting your yard prepped for fresh new growth but also getting rid of some of that not-so-pleasant weed growth. Adding a string trimmer to your tool kit will help with de-weeding your lawn and flower beds. As your lawn grass starts growing, a string trimmer will also help clean up the lawn perimeters, maintaining that aesthetically pleasing crisp line. When choosing the right string trimmer, ensure that it's a comfortable fit, is easy to use, and you're able to handle it properly without risk of injury. Size, weight, and power should all factor into your decision. Additionally, think about investing in a battery-powered trimmer for larger yards where you don't have access to a plug, and be sure to get a model with a larger battery — or a gas-powered one — for those needing longer run times. In many cases, a 20-to-40-volt model should suffice for a half acre of lawn care, while anything larger may necessitate a 40-to-80-volt model.

If you're really going to war against the weeds, an electric weed burner is another beneficial power tool to have in your arsenal. It essentially looks and feels like a string trimmer, but rather than the bladed head, it produces a concentrated stream of flame to help burn off weeds in the yard. Be careful when using this tool in dry environments, however, and always be vigilant about where you are pointing it to prevent fires. 

In those warm summer months, when working with water doesn't feel like a bone-chilling task, having a pressure washer to maintain the yard is an extremely effective tool to keep everything clean. Pressure washers use high-powered streams of water to blast off residue — like algae, moss, mud, and other gross grime — from surfaces. Pressure-washing a relatively simple but powerful way to keep your siding, decks, patios, driveways, and walkways clean in your front and back yards. Cleaning this sort of build-up, especially algae and moss, from driveways is also a great safety measure, since grime makes walking paths slippery. And at the end of that summer-time clean, your house will look absolutely sparkling from sidewalk to sun deck. There are some things that you should never clean with a pressure washer, however, so remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions before use. 

Another summer yard chore for many of us is mowing. If you have a small plot of land, a conventional push mower may do. However, if you live with an abundant amount of grass, think about adding a riding lawn mower to your power tool kit. Or, if you're a tech-savvy person who also happens to have a relatively even yard, consider investing in a robotic lawn mower (yes, like the robotic vacuums!) for the most efficient (and least laborious) tool yet.

For all your autumn yard waste removal needs, the chainsaw is the underrated seasonal tool that will help you get rid of the larger pieces in your yard and help prune hedges and trees as you prepare for winter. If you're planning on pruning trees, it will behoove you to invest in or at least rent an electric chainsaw. Electric saws tend to be lighter, more compact, and easier to handle during arborist projects, and you can better maneuver electric chainsaws on ladders, as opposed to heavier gas-fueled options. Electric saws also start with the push of a button instead of by pulling on a cord, which further simplifies operation. 

The leaf blower likewise deserves an honorable mention. The tool is the MVP of leaf removal in a yard, offering an effective and efficient way of gathering fallen leaves. Bear in mind that your experience will differ between blowers — gas powered leaf blowers, while loud and a bit clunky to operate, can be helpful in the removal of moist, heavy leaves or branches. Electric blowers, on the other hand, are lighter and easier to manage (not to mention a fair bit quieter), but do not give you as much power, particularly if you're dealing with large amounts of waste and a large yard.

An unexpected all-season contender is the aerator. Saying an aerator is a necessary all-season tool might be a bit of a misnomer, but in reality, this hardworking machine may need be used as often as twice a year to maintain your lawn, depending on the soil conditions. Aerators help dislodge harder soils in the yard, giving grass roots and shoots the ability to grow and breathe throughout the year. Your lawn will look happy and healthy, immediately boosting your curb. Just be mindful of choosing the right aerator spike type. Aerators with hollow spikes (known as "core aerators") are the better choice, since solid spikes run the risk of compacting the grass even more, thus defeating the purpose of aeration. 

Truthfully, many of the seasonal power tools mentioned, like the chainsaw, lawnmower, and pressure washer, could help with yard maintenance throughout the year as well. And even with the more season-specific tools, like a snow blower, together these machines will comprise the most complete team you need in order to have the best-looking yard, no matter the weather. And with all these power tools at your disposal, yard maintenance will be much easier and more time efficient.