Landscaping Equipment and Rocks

Preparation Equipment

• You may need to bring in some large machinery for the landscaping job, such as a small tractor or tiller to turn and move soil. If you're laying a new large irrigation scheme, a backhoe or trencher can be hired for a short period. Get the yard and soil ready for your overall landscape plan.

Medium and Small Equipment

• For smaller jobs, or for maintenance and upkeep, a wide array of equipment will be necessary, though you won't likely use all the items often. Mowers, trimmers, brush cutters, edgers, dethatchers, weed whackers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers and spreaders are among the group. Gardening and hand tools will include hoses, sprinklers, rakes, shovels, spades, hoes, pitchforks, a pickaxe, pruning shears, loppers, and whatever you will need to install outdoor lighting.

Rocks

• Rocks, stones, pebbles and gravel can all come into play in you landscape designs. Some rocks are enormous and require huge machinery to get them moved to just the right spot in a garden. Others are small enough to be lifted by one strong person. Use smaller stones for edging your beds, and a mixture of medium and large stones for your rock garden. Rocks, marble, slate, tiles and brick come in all sizes and shapes and can be used in landscaping around pools, patios, in outdoor buildings, or for general design implementation. Once your landscape plan is finalized and the plants are in the ground, add the rocks and stones for visual appeal.

Miscellaneous

• Your landscaping job may require materials such as lumber and paint for feature items such as greenhouses, gazebos, tiered beds, ornamental gates, trellises, arches and doorways. If you're growing climbing roses or vines, you can find pre-fab trellises and archways to avoid having to build them yourself. Planter boxes for flowers around pools and decks add a nice touch for color during spring and summer. You can find these at many home supply and gardening centers as well as nurseries. Add a birdbath and other ornaments such as wind chimes and statuary as final touches.