Below, three tree experts Brady Self from Mississippi State University Extension Service, Jaret Rushing and Jacob Hackman from the University of Arkansas Systems Division of Agriculture and Jacob Hackman from the University of Arkansas Systems Division of Agriculture share their top tips for killing weeds in pine trees.

Can Weeds Growing on a Pine Tree Hurt the Tree?

In certain cases, weeds growing on a pine tree can hurt it. But this will depend on the type of weeds and the age and health of the pine tree.

Young pine trees are vulnerable to low-growing weeds like invasive grasses and broadleaf weeds that compete for sunlight, water and nutrients. But this risk passes once saplings grow tall enough. “As the tree gets older and establishes itself above competing vegetation, the impact of those weeds goes down exponentially to a point where there is very little impact on the growth or survival of the tree,” Self says.

But, older, more established pine trees can still be impacted by weeds. Unwanted trees, technically weeds, compete with pine trees and suppress their growth. “Any plant can be considered a weed if it’s growing in an area that it shouldn’t be,” Hackman says. “Although it sounds strange to think of trees as weeds, some species are invasive or can have devastating effects on overall forest health and should be removed or managed to maintain a healthy pine tree or forest.” Hardwood trees and pine tree saplings sprouting too close to established trees are common types of weed trees that grow under pines.

Climbing weeds are also a concern with older pine trees. Weeds like English Ivy, Virginia Creeper, Oriental Bittersweet and Kudzu can smother trees with their vines and leaves while blocking out sunlight. In extreme cases, the weight of the vines can cause tree limbs to break under their weight. “Vine control is important because climbing vines can choke out pine trees,” Rushing says, “and vines that have reached the canopy compete for resources with the tree.”

Can Weed Killer Kill Pine Trees?

Yes, weed killers can absolutely harm or kill pine trees, so they must be used carefully. “The wrong chemical applied in the wrong way can have devastating effects on a forest ecosystem and should be treated with the utmost respect and caution,” Hackman says.

“Always read the product label and “ask someone in the know if you are unsure of potential damage to pines,” Self says.

How to Kill Weeds in Pine Trees Without Killing the Pine Tree

To kill low-growing weeds in pine trees, like invasive grasses or broadleaf weeds, use a foliate-activated weed killer like glyphosate, the active ingredient in Round-Up. This type of herbicide only works when applied to living foliage, so it poses a low risk to pine trees. To avoid harming the tree, “apply it underneath tree foliage, and take care not to get it on the needles,” Rushing says.

There are other safe, natural weed killers available if you’re uncomfortable with glyphosate.

For larger weeds, like invasive trees, use a chainsaw or hand saw to cut them down. Wear protective gear and follow all safety protocols. Even when cut down, weed trees can return, requiring further action. “Many species of trees can resprout from the root system that remains underground,” Hackman says. He suggests trying a method called “hack and squirt,” where you create a wound in a tree trunk with a chainsaw or axe and then quickly spray herbicide into the wound. “[This] can be effective in completely killing the weed tree, but the time of year for this type of treatment can change its efficacy,” he says.

To remove invasive Norway Maple tree saplings from my yard, I use a reciprocating saw with a pruning blade. After cutting the sapling down, I dig away the soil from the roots and cut the roots with the saw as well. This is effective at preventing regrowth at the stump, which this tree species will often do.

Preventing climbing vines from getting established requires vigilance as they grow quickly. When young, pull them up by the root to remove them. To kill established climbing weeds, cut them down with loppers, remove as much of the root as possible and apply glyphosate to any remaining foliage or growth.

When Should I Call a Pro?

While killing weeds in pine trees is typically a manageable task for homeowners, there are some scenarios where you should call a pro.

If you have allergies to the weeds you’re trying to control, call a pro to avoid exposure. Also, if weed trees are taller than 10 to 15 feet tall, it may be best to hire a professional to safely fell them for you.

Still unsure you can tackle this on your own? Hackman recommends reaching out to local consultants. “Almost all 50 states have local county agriculture or forestry agents that can come perform a site visit to help or point you in the right direction free of charge. Most states will also have local Consulting Foresters and Arborists who are trained in herbicide applications and can perform the application for a fee,” he says.

About the Experts

• Brady Self is an Extension Professor with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and has over 20 years of professional forest herbicide experience.
• Jaret Rushing is a Forestry Extension Instructor with the University of Arkansas Systems Division of Agriculture and has over 17 years of experience.
• Jacob Hackman, PhD. is an Assistant Professor of Forest Management and Extension with the University of Arkansas Systems Division of Agriculture. Tips for killing weeds around pine trees without damaging their roots or healtheasy solutions for homeowners!

The post How To Get Rid of Weeds in Pine Trees Without Killing Them appeared first on Family Handyman.

Numerous areas in your yard would benefit from a gravel pathway, such as leading to your front door, a shed, through a garden, or connecting the front and backyard through the side yard. Gravel paths are less costly and labor-intensive than other options, like creating a brick walkway or pouring concrete. What’s also great is that they can be made as simple or elaborate as you like.

When we were finishing the construction of a gazebo, we had to create a gravel pathway to the new structure. We encountered a unique challengewe had to cut into existing railroad ties surrounding the gazebo. The homeowner wanted to keep the railroad ties, so once we determined the width of our path, we used a reciprocating saw to cut a gap in them.

Although this situation may not be common, the key takeaway is that thorough preparation before starting a project leads to better results and less stress. I took the time to carefully measure the width and length of the pathway, which allowed me to calculate the amount of gravel, pavers, and paver base required. If you’re unsure about the quantities needed, you can look up the material and find a calculation based on the square footage of your project.

A professional is not required for this project, but digging and lifting heavy bags of material will be involved, so having a friend assist with moving the materials may be helpful.

Plan and measure

Use stakes, string, and marking paint to mark the pathway’s outline, ensuring a clear visual guide. Measure the length and width precisely, accounting for any curves or turns. Calculate the total square footage to determine the amount of gravel, landscape fabric, and edging materials you’ll need.

The post Enhance Your Yard Space With This Easy DIY Gravel Path appeared first on Family Handyman.

What is Lake-Effect Snow?

Lake-effect snow is snow that is caused by and falls in areas near lakes, so it most commonly impacts states near the Great Lakes, like New York, Oregon, Michigan, Montana and more. This snow falls heavily compared to other types of snowfall. The National Weather Service (NWS) estimates it at 2 to 3 inches of snow per hour or more. This is quite a dense snowstorm compared to typical snowfall, where you only get a light dusting or an average of 2 inches over the course of the day.

Winds affect where the snow falls relative to where it was created, so this kind of snow isn’t limited just to the lake and the immediate surrounding area. With strong enough winds, the clouds can cover larger distances before they start to release the snow.

For example, you won’t find this snowfall in Los Angeles, which is too far from the regions that get cold enough. But you may find it in quite a large radius relative to the lake that generated it.

What Causes Lake-Effect Snow?

As its name suggests, lake-effect snow is caused in part by lakes. As you may remember from physics class, water retains heat much more than air does. So when cold air passes over the Great Lakes, the warmth of their waters makes its way into the lower atmosphere. Once there, it interacts with the cold air and forms clouds full of snow. These clouds generally are narrow bands. They’re not the wispy clouds you might see on a summer day, nor the incredibly fluffy clouds that are characteristic of thunderstorms.

When Does the Lake-Effect Snow Happen?

Lake-effect snow is a special case, and as such doesn’t happen all the time. The lakes only impact the precipitation like this before they freeze over. This is because if they’re frozen, they aren’t emitting the heat from the water that creates those heavy clouds. So typically this kind of snow falls earlier in the winter. However, in places where the lakes don’t freeze over, this snow can happen throughout the winter.

Source

What is a Lake Effect Snow?, National Weather Service.

The post Lake-Effect Snow: What It Is and Why It Happens appeared first on Family Handyman.

After all, it jumped our Senior Shopping Editor’s completely dead sedan battery. Heres everything you need to know about the Jump-N-Carry that can revive your phone and car in an emergency.

What is the Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry?

VIA MERCHANT

$148.70 at Amazon

Shop at Walmart

Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry

$148.70 at Amazon

Shop at Walmart

The Jump-N-Carry (JNC325) is a multi-tool that combines jump-starting power with features like USB outlets and an LED work light. With 450 amps of starting power, this portable little device can tackle various tasks, like starting up to 8L gasoline and 6L diesel engines. (Theres also a 10L option on Amazon if you need an extra boost.)

It has several safety features, including reverse polarity, back feed, overvoltage and short circuit/overheat protection. Its also certified to comply with the UL2743 lithium jump starter safety regulation. 24-inch cables give you plenty of room to work, and the included carrying case makes it easy to stash the set in a trunk or glove box when not in use.

With two USB outlets to power small electronics, the Jump-N-Carry can also save your phone from a power outage. And the high-intensity LED work light is handy for starting at night. Its truly the winter car accessory you dont want to be caught without.

How We Tested It

“When my battery died last winter, I was parked in a tight spot in my garage that made a jump with another car difficult. The Jump-N-Carry saved the day and got my car running on the first try, says Senior Shopping Editor Katie Bandurski.

The car battery in Katies 2009 Ford Focus was completely drained. She ordered the Jump-N-Carry on Amazon and fully charged it via a wall outlet. Once it was at maximum battery capacity, she followed the instructions to hook it up to her car, and the Jump-N-Carry got her vehicle up and running almost instantly. No call to roadside assistance necessary!

It’s a lifesaver here in Wisconsin when cold weather hitsI’ll never go on a road trip without it, Katie adds. Plus, I love that it has USB ports and a built-in flashlight. It’s great for charging devices during a power outage, too.”

Where to Buy a Car Battery Jump Starter

VIA MERCHANT

$148.70 at Amazon

Shop at Walmart

Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry

$148.70 at Amazon

Shop at Walmart

You can shop the Clore Automotive Jump-N-Carry on Amazon and at Walmart for around $150. Dont let winter weather get the best of you (and your car) while running last-minute holiday errands. The Jump-N-Carry can save you the headache and hassle.

The post This Car Battery Jump Starter Is a Must-Have for Winter Travel appeared first on Family Handyman.

Required Tools for these Walkway Ideas

Have the necessary tools for thisDIY projectlined up before you startyoull save time and frustration.

• Bucket
• Drywall saw
• Garden rake
• Spade
• Wheelbarrow/Dolly
• Tamper
• Garden trowel

Mulch and Gravel Garden Paths

This windinggravel pathreflects the informality and ease ofmaintenance of the garden. Mulch and gravel are the cheapest pathway materials you can buy for rock walkways, and they make construction simple, too, making them two of our favorite walkway ideas. All you have to do is remove the sod, roll out landscape fabric and spread the mulch or gravel.

Mulch and gravel paths can be meandering, wood chipcovered trails or carefully planned designs, and they range from casual to formal depending on the design and edging material. You can choose from a wide variety of loose materials including coarse bark, decorative mulch, washed stones and crushed gravel or shells.

Mulch garden path

As stated above, the three commontypes of mulchsuitable for garden paths are wood chips, cocoa bean and cypress bark. Since these path materials are lighter than stone, theyre easier to haul and spread. Mulch is also a bit cheaper than gravel or stone pebbles. Remember, though, that organic paths decompose over time, so youll have to rejuvenate them every two to five years with new material. Also, dont use bark, wood chips or mulch for paths that run through areas with poor drainage or that are wet. Itll lead to a soggy path.

Youll find bags of mulch at home centers, but for the best selection of organic materials for a path, check your local nursery or landscape supplier. Depending on how big your path is, it may be cheaper to have bulk material delivered than to buy bags. Plan on a 3-in.-deep layer of mulch about 3 ft. wide as an alternative to grass. Call the public works department at your city hall or check with localtree trimmingservices. They often have piles of wood chips or mulch that are free for the hauling.

Gravel walkways

Several types of inexpensive landscaping gravel are available for paths. Common types are: crushed gravel, crushed limestone and pea rock. For a path thats more formal or longer lasting than a mulch path, consider washed gravel, crushed stone or crushed shells. These materials last indefinitely and only need occasional weeding to look their best. If you want to run a wheelbarrow or lawn mower along the path, choose crushed stone rather than smooth pebbles. The jagged edges of crushed stone lock together to form a firm surface. Crushed stone is also less likely to get kicked out into the yard.

Gravel for paths is sold by type and size. Smaller stones, averaging under 1/2 in., are best for paths because they offer more comfort underfoot and pack together better. Visit your local nursery or landscape supply specialist to see whats available in your area. Gravel is usually sold by the ton. Measure the length and width of the path. Take these measurements to the supplier and ask for help to figure out the quantity of gravel you need. Unless your path is very short, it usually makes sense to have the material delivered. Gravel for a path 3 in. deep and 3 ft. wide will cost about the same as mulch.

Gravel paths do have a few limitations, though. The stones can get tracked into the house, so dont use them near entries. And gravel paths are a bad choice in areas where you have to shovel snow off them. The gravel can end up in your lawn orflower beds.

Tips for making mulch and gravel garden paths

• Rent a gas-poweredsod cuttertoremove grassif the path is long. For short paths, use a garden spade to slice off the sod.
• Set edging so it ends up about an inch above the fill material.
• Use a spacer stick cut to the width of the garden path as a guide when you set the edging or border. You wont have to keep pulling out the tape measure to make sure the edges run parallel.
• Cover the soil with landscape fabric todeter weedsand prevent the fill material from mixing with the soil. Dont use plastic. Itll catch water and create a soggy path.
• Have gravel delivered, especially if you need more than a half ton.
• If you want a path thats firm enough to roll a wheelbarrow on, use crushed stone and tamp it after leveling it. (Pea rock or other rounded stone wont compact.) Use a hand tamper for short paths. Rent a vibrating-plate tamper for long paths.

Garden Path Borders and Edging Ideas

Gravel or mulch paths require some type of edging to keep the material from spreading out onto your lawn or flower bed. You can also add a border or an edge as a design element. Here are some common types of edging you can use for walkway landscaping:

• Plasticlandscape edgingis cheap. And its fast and easy to install. If you object to the look of the rounded top edge, hide it with a border of plants.
• Steel or aluminum edging forms a crisp edge that gives the path a neat appearance. It costs more than plastic, though, and is less forgiving on sloped terrain. It also keeps gravel or mulch from overflowing into the yard or garden.
• Brick, stone or paver borders are attractive and versatile, but theyre more expensive and a lot more work to install.
• Concrete edging is less expensive than brick or stone but has the same advantages. Newer types that look like random pieces of tumbled stone are a great lower-cost alternative to a real stone border.
• Landscape timbers are an economical alternative to stone or brick borders. Theyre especially useful for building shallow steps on gradually sloping terrain.

Stone Paths

Stepping-stonesare the fastest, easiest way to build a path, and another one of our favorite walkway ideas. Theres very little digging involved. And although the stone is heavy, a little goes a long way. Since theres distance between the stones, you dont have to worry about leveling them with one another. Stepping-stone paths also cost less because youll cover more distance with less stone. Stones that are flat and about 18 in. across and 2 in. thick are ideal. Check your local landscape supplier or quarry to see whats available. If youre building a short stepping-stone path, you can usually pick the stones you want from the pallet or pile of stones on hand at the supplier. For longer paths, ask for help to figure out the quantity and have the stone delivered. If youre lucky enough to live in an area with naturally occurring outcroppings of stone, you may find stepping-stones free for the hauling.

You can also make attractive stepping-stone paths using 12-in. square or round concrete patio blocks. These are available in a wide selection of colors and textures from home centers, landscape suppliers and masonry dealers. Search online for patio blocks to see the variety.

How to build a stone path

• Arrange stones so the distance from the center of one to the center of the next one is 20 to 24 in.
• Set the stones in place and cut around them with a spade or rock saw. Then lift the stone and dig out the grass and a little soil.
• Spread a 1/2- to 1-in.-thick layer of sand under the stone if you want to make leveling the stones easier. Sand is easier to work with than soil. A 60-lb. bag of sand is enough for about four to six stones.
• Set the top of the stepping-stones about 1 in. above the soil level. This will give you a dry place to step while still allowing you to run alawn mowerover the path.

Using Ground Cover Plants with Stone Paths

Ground cover attractively fills the space around and between pieces of yard stones such as flagstone. Includingground cover plantsin your garden path makes a stone walkway easier in two ways: First, you can skip the thick, compacted gravel base underneath. That eliminates the backbreaking digging, plus the hauling and compacting of gravel. Without the solid base, the stones will shift and become uneven, but the plants will hide that. The second advantage is that you dont have to spend extra time laying the stones perfectly. The plants will hide wide gaps.

There are quite a fewperennial plantsthat can withstand foot traffic and will grow between stones. Check with your local nursery to see whats available that will grow in your area. Here are some ground cover plants that can tolerate some foot traffic: Creeping Thyme, Blue Star Creeper, Brass Buttons, Creeping Mazus and Sedum.

The post Garden Path Ideas That Are Easy, Cheap and Low-Maintenance appeared first on Family Handyman.

Plant a Drought-Tolerant Grass

One effective way to drought-proof your lawn is by choosing drought-tolerant grass varieties. In warm climates, grasses like Zoysia, Bermuda, and Buffalo thrive on minimal water. For cooler regions, Tall Fescue and Fine Fescue are resilient to both drought and cold. These grasses are perfect for dry spells and require less water than other varieties.

The post 8 Must-Know Tips to Drought-Proof Your Lawn appeared first on Family Handyman.

In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both options, featuring insights from Shawn Doucette of Facility Maintenance Solutions.

Benefits of Raking Your Leaves

Before you stop raking leaves, consider the benefits of leaf cleanup.

• Aesthetics: A well-raked lawn looks neat and tidy, improving your home’s curb appeal. Plus, there’s nothing as satisfying as getting every last leaf.
• Prevent plant fungus and disease: Unraked leaves can develop mold and fungus, which could spread to bushes and shrubs in your landscaping.
• Lawn health: Keeping leaves raked promotes a healthy lawn, as thick layers of leaves will smother and kill your grass. “It’s good to have oxygenated soil, and you’ll end up with dead, yellow spots on your lawn in the spring if you don’t rake,” Doucette says.
• Safety: Leaves can hide uneven ground or trip hazards for you and your family, as well as guests. Some leaves, like oak, are also very slippery.

Benefits of NOT Raking Your Leaves

If you think you might stop raking leaves, there are some advantages.

• Natural fertilizer: As leaves break down and decay, they return nutrients to the soil.
• Preserves biodiversity: Many microorganisms, insects and small animals rely on decaying leaf litter as a habitat or a safe place to overwinter.
• More free time: Letting leaves lie will give you more time to enjoy fall weekends with friends and family.
• Less allergen exposure: Leaves contain pollen, dust and dirt. Avoid this added allergen exposure by not raking your leaves.
• Natural weed management: Group leaves into piles or thick layers around shrubs in landscaping beds to inhibit weed growth. The leaves will block sunlight and prevent any airborne weed spores from taking root in the soil.

Should I Stop Raking My Leaves?

Whether or not you rake your leaves really comes down to personal preference. But if you’re thinking you might stop raking leaves, you’ll want to consider a few points.

If you live in a wet climate, unraked leaves can easily get damp and moldy. It’s important to rake them up to reduce air allergens and prevent infecting landscape plantings. Also, in drier climates, or areas prone to forest fires, you’ll want to rake leaves to reduce flammable leaf litter.

If you live in a Homeowner’s Association (HOA), you likely have to rake your leaves. HOA’s often have rules that govern the outside appearance of your home. Some provide landscaping services, which include fall cleanup. Those that don’t will have guidelines and even deadlines when you’re expected to have your leaves cleaned up.

About the Expert

• Shawn Doucette is the owner of Facility Maintenance Solutions, a full-service property maintenance company offering exterior and interior services, in Amherst, Massachusetts.

The post Why You Might Want to Stop Raking Your Leaves appeared first on Family Handyman.

I have used dozens of leaf blowers in my day and can confidently say I’ve experienced a wide range of performances from blowers. I started my leaf blower journey with the classic handheld Stihl BG86C blower. Since then, I have personally owned and tested five handheld gas blowers, nine backpack leaf blowers (both battery and gas), three handheld corded electric leaf blowers, and 11 handheld battery-powered blowers.

What Is the Battery-Powered Toro Leaf Blower?

When Toro designed their new battery leaf blower, we were shocked to see how much thought went into the design and the performance. You can easily tell that the team that pulled this blower together included people like me, who have used dozens of blowers and knew that Toro needed to push the envelope to stay competitive in the battery-powered leaf blower space.

I admit that I was skeptical when I first received this blower. Toro, a brand with an amazing reputation for providing some of the most powerful zero-turn mowers, has long been known for its success with golf course management tools and a wide range of commercial products. However, they have only recently begun to dip their toes in the battery-powered space, starting with their classic lawnmowers, which I have come to know and love.

TYLER GRAHAM FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN

$349 at Lowe's

$349 at Acme Tools

I Tried It

Toro Flex-Force 60-volt Max 900-CFM 165-MPH Battery Handheld Leaf Blower

$349 at Lowe's

$349 at Acme Tools

Toro Leaf Blower Features

The blower boasts a whopping 900 CFM (cubic feet per minute) and 165 MPH air speed, both of which are at the top of the game in the leaf blower world. You can reach the maximum airspeed by using the “Turbo” button, which is meant for temporary blasts of air that help remove wet leaves and grass from surfaces.

This blower also comes with a concentrated nozzle, which helps further focus air and increase overall air speed for targeted clean-up. The Toro battery-powered blower also comes with several easy-to-control measures, including a textured grip, a well-balanced body, variable speed and cruise control so that you don’t tire out your hand, and an aggressive design that helps hold the blower down and forward.

You can use the 60-volt battery on the Toro leaf blower on other 60V Max products from Toro, which saves you money on buying new batteries for these tools in the long run. As Toro continues to build out the 60V Max lineup, this can result in huge savings for the average homeowner who doesn’t have to buy a new battery with each tool.

How I Tested the Toro Leaf Blower

Assembly

The new Toro battery-powered leaf blower was very simple to put together. It comes in two or three pieces that easily snap together. I quickly snapped the nozzle onto the base of the blower and excitedly rushed out the door to start eviscerating leaves.

Job Site Test (Commercial Landscaping)

I used the Toro battery-powered blower on the job site first. Having recently re-started a landscaping company, I had about eight lawns back-to-back on my first day with the Toro blower. I was excited to see how it would perform relative to other handheld battery blowers. My first stop was mowing my friend Chase’s house. He lives in a nice neighborhood with lots that are about acre or less.

This presented the ideal opportunity to see how the Toro blower would perform on a typical lawn. Another positive of using the battery-powered Toro blower is that Chase has two small kids that I knew napped at various points throughout the day. My gas-powered backpack blower could wake the dead with its high noise levels, so having an electric tool was great for making sure I could maneuver around their home without waking the kids.

I will also caution that most handheld battery leaf blowers aren’t used for commercial landscaping purposes. They aren’t designed to last all day, and I knew that going into this round of testing. Other blowers, including electric ones, are designed to go with you on the job site. Toro designed this blower for residential homeowners looking to crush leaves and debris in their backyard, put the battery back on the charger and get on with their life. That doesn’t mean I am not going to push the blower to its limits and use it however I can.

Home Test

I used the Toro on my yard after the first time mowed again after a week straight of rainfall here in middle Tennessee. The grass clippings were still a bit moist. If you have ever used a leaf blower after mowing a moist lawn, you will understand that this situation is headache-inducing. Wet grass sticks to concrete like nothing you have ever seen. In order to get it off, you generally have to either wait until it dries, use a push broom, or have a blower that can somehow lift it off of the concrete.

Most leaf blowers put out about 400-500 CFM. Even some of the most powerful backpack leaf blowers will put out 700 CFM or so of air. At 900 CFM, the Toro 60V Max may be one of the most powerful handheld leaf blowers I have ever seen. The combination of tremendous air volume output with wind speeds of 165 MPH means that very few blowers on the market come close to this amount of power.

So naturally, I had to use this on the famous wet grass clippings to see how it would do. It was an absolute demolition. The leaf blower removed almost every blade of grass from the concrete driveway. I was so impressed that I wanted to ring the doorbell and tell my friend all about it. I have never seen a blower, especially a handheld battery-powered leaf blower, push this much air and perform so well.

Blowing Heavy Debris

I set this blower back in the trailer and moved on to the next house. At the next job, I was looking at a garden bed that had been washed out with water and spread mulch all over the lawn and sidewalk leading up to the front door. The mulch was a shredded hardwood mulch and was mostly dry by this point. Before I mowed the yard, this needed to be cleaned up. It presented a perfect opportunity to give the Toro 60V blower a chance to run wild by blowing mulch in the grass (which is notoriously difficult) and pushing it across a sidewalk.

The blower accomplished both of these. Moving mulch across concrete was a breeze, and I was shocked to see how easily it lifted the mulch out of the thick, long grass and placed it back into the garden bed.

I moved onto the third house of the day, which was just like the first one. The grass was slightly dryer, and the clippings blasted back into the grass easily. At this point, I was texting my wife, telling her I couldn’t believe it.

As a second reminder, this blower was not designed for professional landscapers in the same way that gas-powered leaf blowers are. Those can run all day because you can keep buying and pouring gas into the blower for as long as you need. Toro’s new blower obviously requires you to recharge the batteries.

Long-Term Performance

In my personal use of this blower around my house, which seems to be more and more neglected the more I work on other people’s lawns, I continued to be impressed with the Toro leaf blower. In the course of my normal weekly lawn maintenance, I found the blower to have consistent, extremely powerful performance.

One downside I noticed relatively early is that when you use the turbo button off and on, there is a noticeable drain on the battery life. I expected extremely high power to reduce battery life, but I was a bit disappointed to see how quickly it reduced battery life. Without using the turbo button, I still had more than enough battery life to care for my yard (and then some).

As the weeks passed and leaves began falling from the trees, I retested the Toro battery blower once more. Leaves were absolutely light work for this blower. The blower is an absolute bully for drying leaves, easily launching them across my yard. The turbo button was unnecessary, but I had to use it for the sake of science. It was total and absolute destruction of the leaves.

Pros:

• Extremely high power with 900 CFM
• Ergonomic grip with easy maneuvering
• 60V Max battery system used across Toro’s 60V lineup
• Finger-saving cruise control function
• Much quieter than gas blowers
• Turbo button to toggle maximum speed

Cons:

• Battery life drains with Turbo usage
• Fewer tools in Toro’s battery lineup than some other brands

Why You Should Trust Us

As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I have personally tested dozens, if not hundreds, of leaf blowers, including backpack blowers, corded electric blowers, cordless blowers and gas-powered handheld blowers.

As a landscaper, I developed a unique love for lawn tools after using them every day for years. Now, I spend my days testing lawnmowers, string trimmers, leaf blowers and more. Much of my time is spent using new leaf blowers and comparing them to see which one reigns supreme.

FAQ

How long does a Toro leaf blower last?

The Toro leaf blower advertises a run time of 120 minutesbut this is generally on a low-speed setting under ideal conditions. In my experience, the blower can run for about an hour for typical use around the house, where you may maximize the power for a longer time. Introducing the turbo button drops the run time to about 30 minutes.

How do you use the Toro battery-powered leaf blower?

The Toro battery leaf blower can be easily controlled using the variable speed trigger, which changes the amount of power coming from the battery. It also has a cruise control function that holds a certain speed in place, allowing your hand to relax and hold the blowerno more cramping.

This is a handheld leaf blower, meaning you simply pull the trigger and point it at whatever debris you want to blow away.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

While the Toro 60V Max Battery-Powered Blower is still relatively new, the few who have used it have agreed with meit rocks. One reviewer at Lowe’s felt similarly, calling the blower a “powerhouse” with “the size and weight of the blower working perfectly to balance the blower when used in turbo mode.” Another reviewer at Lowe’s had the same experience as me, using this blower on “1/2 acre of concrete around their farm” and mentioned that the blower “gets rid of those pesky leaves and grass clippings.”

Toro Battery-Powered Leaf Blower vs. Ryobi Battery-Powered Leaf Blower

I’ve had the distinct privilege of using the Toro and Ryobi battery-powered leaf blowers. The Ryobi battery-powered leaf blower is a great blower. Ryobi’s new Whisper series produces quiet, powerful tools that can be found at The Home Depot for a great price. Ryobi’s Whisper series blower was the cat’s meow when it was released. It had one of the highest CFM and MPH ranges on the market and was advertised as the quietest blower.

Times have changed in the last two years. There are a number of other blowers in a similar power range that also exhibit quiet run times. The Toro battery blower simply outguns the Ryobi blower. I have used both side-by-side, and the Toro is the better blower.

Final Verdict

I can confidently say that this is hands down the best combination of price, power and performance on the market. I am excited that Toro will continue to build out their electric lineup with the 60V Max batteries so that I can achieve better cost efficiency in the future. I also think Toro can keep refining their battery technology so that the batteries last longer.

All in all, this blower has set a new standard for power in handheld electric blowers.

Where to Buy the Toro Battery-Powered Leaf Blower

TYLER GRAHAM FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN

$349 at Lowe's

$349 at Acme Tools

I Tried It

Toro Flex-Force 60-volt Max 900-CFM 165-MPH Battery Handheld Leaf Blower

$349 at Lowe's

$349 at Acme Tools

You can grab the Toro battery-powered blower from Lowe’s with the battery for just under $350, and you can use the battery with other Toro lawn tools.

The post I Tried the New Battery-Powered Toro Leaf Blower, and Here’s How It Went appeared first on Family Handyman.

Most people who complain that Adirondack chairs are uncomfortable are just using them wrong.

What Are Adirondack Chairs?

Adirondack chairs are a distinct style of outdoor chair. They have tall backs and wide arms, so they look like a fantastic choice for lounging in your yard. What separates them from other lawn chairs out there, however, is the legs. On an Adirondack chair, the rear legs are much shorter than the front legs. They also attach to the seat at an obtuse angle, whereas the front legs form a right angle. This means that when the chair is sitting on flat ground, the seat pitches back

@watchautumn Thank you, Adirondack Chair.. Sorry I doubted you.. #adirondacks #adirondackchair #themoreyouknow original sound – Autumn | Millennial Money

Why Are Adirondack Chairs So Uncomfortable?

To put it bluntly, if your Adirondack chairs are particularly uncomfortable, it’s most likely because you’re using them wrong.

As TikToker Autumn (@watchautumn) explains in her video above, the design of the legs pushes the seat up at an awkward angle. And it’s exactly this odd angle that makes so many people write off these chairs as uncomfortable. But fear not! It’s very easy to use these chairs the right way. And once you do, you’ll understand why they’ve been a staple of yards for such a long time.

How to Properly Sit on Adirondack Chairs

Autumn begins her video by explaining that she bought some Adirondack chairs and immediately found them uncomfortable. She says that her backyard is flat, and so the shorter back legs left her sitting in a very uncomfortable position. But then someone alerted her to the fact that Adirondack chairs get their name from the Adirondack range in New York, a famously mountainous and hilly part of the country. These chairs are designed to accommodate hills and mountains, letting people still sit out and enjoy the scenery.

Autumn then explains that when she moved her Adirondack chair to the hill in her backyard, with the rear legs higher up on the hill, the design choices suddenly became clear. Now, those shorter legs balance out the slope of the hill, leaving you sitting upright at a right angle, just like other lawn chairs do.

So, if your Adirondack chairs have been sitting on flat ground, move them onto a slope so they’re angled downward. Suddenly, you’ll find that they’re much more comfortable than you originally thought.

The post Think Adirondack Chairs Are Uncomfortable? You’re Using Them Wrong appeared first on Family Handyman.

Designed for larger hands, these Corona pruners are said to be capable of cutting everything fromflower stems to dead branches. In order to determine whether or not these are worthy of pruning for your garden, our testers put them up against a variety of stems, birchwood dowels and dead wood ranging from 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 inches wide. Their findings may surprise you. Here’s everything you need to know before adding the Corona pruners to your cart.

What Are the Corona Pruners?

The Corona Classic Cut Pruners measure 8.5-inches long, have a 6.5-inch handle spread and are designed for larger hands. Theyre equipped with a curved bypass blade made from high-carbon steel and have a cutting diameter of up to one inch. A non-slip textured grip and weight of just 12.5-ounces makes them easy to carry around the garden.

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$29.99 at Ace Hardware

$27.42 at Walmart

$29.99 at Tractor Supply

We Tried It

Corona Classic Cut Pruners

These Corona pruners are supposed to cut branches and stems up to 1-inch in diameter. Our testers insist this is overstated.

$29.99 at Ace Hardware

$27.42 at Walmart

$29.99 at Tractor Supply

Corona Pruners Features

Sharpenable Blade

You can sharpen the blades on these pruners, allowing you to use them year after year.

Wire-Cutting Capabilities

These pruners feature a tiny notch toward the base of the blade designed for wire-cutting.

Lifetime Warranty

Corona guarantees that these pruners will be free of material and workmanship defects for the life of the tool. Just be sure to save your receipt as you will need an original proof of purchase for any and all returns.

How We Tested the Corona Pruners

Associate product testers Sheri KazandDylan Fischer began the testing process by noting the pruners weight, measurements and callout features. Right away, they noted how wide and heavy these pruners felt in their hands. They did point out that the brand’s website indicates that these pruners are made for larger hands. However, they worried that these pruners would quickly cause fatigue.

Once they concluded their observations, our testers took these Corona pruners into Sheris backyard for testing. They gathered three sizes of wooden dowels, deadwood branches and stems in various sizes, and greenwood branches and stems, including cherry wood and an asparagus plant, in various sizes.

Our testers ran the first test with a series of 0.25-inch stems. Unfortunately, the pruners did not meet our testers’ expectations. “It took a surprising amount of force just to cut through the smallest dowel,” says Kaz. “We thought that it would at least cut with good force considering how unwieldy it is.” Moreover, these pruners left jagged edges on the stems.

During the second test, these pruners could not cut the birch dowel without maximum force and several tries. “It took a lot of force and two hands to cut an actual dead branch,” explains Kaz. Once the dowel had been cut, our testers noted that the dowel had been split and the sides had been smooshed.

For the final test, Dylan attempted to cut through a 0.75-inch dowel, deadwood branch and asparagus. He noted good cut quality on the asparagus, but it did not cut through the dowel or deadwood. “It couldn’t cut through deadwood or dowel although the specs says it can cut up to 1 inch,” he explains. “The packaging emphasizes getting the branch into the blades are far as you can. But once you have the handles open all the way it’s near impossible to wrap your hand around it, let alone have enough strength to cut through.”

Pros

• Priced under $40
• Designed for large hands
• Packaging allows you to test it in the store
• Replacement parts offered on the brand’s website
• Lifetime warranty with proof of original purchase

Cons

• Poor cutting quality
• Handles are too wide
• Caused hand fatigue
• Overstated product specs
• Grip is not cushioned

Why You Should Trust Us

AtFamily Handyman, our goal is to help you shop with confidence. This is especially true for gardening tools, which help enhance your home’s curb appeal. Our editors and testers have years of experience testing hundreds of products from pruning saws to tree trimming tools, allowing us to bring you the most comprehensive guides on tree pruners and loppers.

For this series on pruners, our product testers spent a total of 45 hours closely examining 11 pairs, including these Corona pruners. They performed 14 tests on each pair and collected roughly 300 data points overall.

FAQ

How do you sharpen Corona hand pruners?

For best results, Corona recommends using their carbide sharpening tool.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

Out of 50 reviews, these Corona pruners received 4.5 stars. Many purchasers are impressed by how sturdy they feel and their overall ease of use.

One verified buyer is especially appreciative of the high quality construction. “They are built to last with a replaceable blade that’s easy to sharpen…The older pair I have is still functional except that the spring and keeper wore out after 5 years of heavy use. No plastic parts in this model!”

“They are strong, sharp and a little heavier than I expected,” writes another verified buyer. “Very useful for small pruning.”

Corona Pruners vs. Felco 2 Pruners

Our team tested 11 pruners including the Corona Pruners and the Felco 2 pruners. Both pruners are almost identical in size and are rated for large hands. However, our testers found the Corona pruners to be unwieldy and cumbersome.

During testing, our team struggled with the Corona pruners. They required two hands and a lot of force to cut through all of the branches, stems and dead wood. And once cuts were made, they were jagged, smooshed or split the wood. Our team found no reason to recommend the Corona pruners, insisting they are going to cause fatigue more quickly than other pruners.

On the other hand, our testers loved the Swiss-made Felco 2. The Felco 2 features an ergonomic form and contoured finger grips for comfort and safety. Better yet, our team described the Felco 2’s cuts as clean, excellent and like butter. And while they cost around $20-$25 more than the Corona pruners, the Felco 2 is the better choice. Read our full Felco pruners review to learn more and see where to buy them.

Final Verdict

Unfortunately, not every product we test is a winner. Such is the case with these Corona pruners. “These are extremely unwieldy for even Dylan’s hands, and this doesn’t even pay off with any kind of heavy-duty performance,” says Kaz. “The only good thing we can say is that the packaging allows you to test it at the store, so you can at least tell right away if your hand is large enough to hold it.”

Where to Buy the Corona Pruners

These Corona pruners retail for $38.99 and are available at Ace Hardware, Walmart and Tractor Supply Co.

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$29.99 at Ace Hardware

$27.42 at Walmart

$29.99 at Tractor Supply

We Tried It

Corona Classic Cut Pruners

An unwieldy grip and poor cut quality prevented our testers from recommending these pruners.

$29.99 at Ace Hardware

$27.42 at Walmart

$29.99 at Tractor Supply

The post Corona Pruners Review: We Tried It and Were Not Impressed appeared first on Family Handyman.

What Is Mulching Leaves?

Mulching leaves means to cut them into small pieces to reduce their volume and hasten decomposition. Mulched leaves are typically returned to the soil, but can be bagged up and removed.

How to Mulch Leaves

You can use a lawn mower or leaf mulcher to mulch leaves.

With the bag off your lawn mower, go over the leaves as though cutting the lawn. The blades will shred the leaves into small pieces, then distribute them across your lawn. Mulching works well for light leaf litter that doesn’t exceed the mower deck, but thick layers can overwhelm the blades and cause the mower to shut down. To avoid this, mulch regularly as leaves accumulate.

A leaf mulcher is a power tool that shreds leaves with blades or string. Handheld models suck in leaves and collect the shredded material in attached bags, making them ideal for small amounts of leaves. Larger stand-alone models require raking and piling leaves but can quickly handle larger volumes.

Pros and Cons of Mulching Leaves

Mulching leaves with a mower adds nutrients like phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium to the soil as the leaves break down. Smaller pieces of leaves also add organic matter to the soil, promoting moisture retention.

On the other hand, if mulched leaves are too thick on your lawn, it can smother grass and kill it. “They will form a wet, dense mat,” Martin says. And if you like a pristine lawn free of all debris, you will not like mulching leaves into your grass.

Pros and Cons of Bagging Leaves

Bagging leaves makes it easier to contain and transport leaves for disposal. Some municipalities even offer curbside pickup of bagged leaves. Raking and bagging leaves also protects your lawn from layers of decaying leaves, which can harm the grass through the winter. And for a tidy lawn, nothing beats bagging leaves.

However, raking and bagging leaves is more time-consuming than mulching, and it can also be more expensive if you’re buying bags or paying for disposal. Plus, by bagging, your lawn misses out on the natural nutrients that mulched leaves would provide.

Mulching vs. Bagging Leaves: Which Is Right for Me?

“It’s really situational,” Jeremy Martin of Willow Gates Landscaping says of mulching vs bagging leaves. It will largely depend on the amount of leaves you can expect each fall. “If you live in dense woods as I do, mulching leaves will kill the lawn,” he says. In this case, you’ll need to bag leaves or blow them off the property into the woods.

If you only have a few trees and a moderate amount of leaf cleanup, you have the option of mulching your leaves or bagging them. “If you don’t have a lot of trees, you can mulch leaves, and you’d be fine,” Martin says.

About the Expert

• Jeremy Martin is owner of Willow Gates Landscaping in Mohnton, Pennsylvania, which he founded in 2005. He shares his passion for the industry by teaching installer courses for retaining walls, concrete pavers, permeable pavers and advance hardscape projects, plus speaking at industry events.

The post Should You Mulch Leaves or Bag Them? appeared first on Family Handyman.

Why Do Trees Lose Their Leaves?

Trees typically lose their leaves seasonally before the winter to conserve water and energy during the dormant winter months. Shedding leaves is also a protective strategy for trees. With fewer surfaces for snow and ice to cling to, there’s less risk of broken or damaged branches. Empty branches also allow winter winds to easily pass through.

Trees will also lose their leaves when they are diseased or stressed.

The post Tired of Raking Leaves? Plant These Trees Instead appeared first on Family Handyman.

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$11.97 at Amazon

MPOWERD’s Luci Candle blow-up lantern flickers like a real flame, but without the fire danger and waxy mess. It gives off a cozy, romantic soft-amber glow, making it our go-to candle for ambient in-tent/in-van lighting. We collapse them and put them on our dashboard while driving to recharge.

They’re also good for illuminating walkways in a non-obtrusive way. They pair nicely with Luci Color, a larger, brighter light with eight color hues.

The post 10 Best Solar Lights and Lanterns to Illuminate Your Campsite Adventures appeared first on Family Handyman.

“Opting for trusted brands ensures you receive a quality product backed by reliable customer support,” she explains. When it comes to trusted brands, there are several that Laznicka recommends, including Nokta, Garrett, Bounty Hunter and Minelab. Our team put 11 metal detectors to the test, including the Minelab Equinox 900.

Our expert product testers paid careful attention to details including how easy it was to assemble, its ergonomics and its overall performance. They even brought it to a local beach and were impressed to discover that this expert-recommended model was able to detect gold from farther away than most of its competitors. Heres everything you need to know about the Minelab Equinox 900.

What is the Minelab Equinox 900?

The Minelab Equinox 900 is the latest model in the Minelab Equinox lineup. According to Laznicka, this upgraded version is a versatile metal detector suitable for beach combing, park searching, relic hunting and gold prospecting. It features an 11-by-6-inch waterproof coil, backlit digital LCD display and rechargeable battery. At just 2.85 pounds, it is extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver.

This metal detector is loaded with useful features, including a built-in flashlight, multi IQ frequency setting and vibration feedback for underwater use and hearing impaired users, Additionally, it has multiple terrain-based presets and customizable discrimination patterns.

Priced at $1,149, the Minelab Equinox 900 is the most expensive model we tested. But given its features and overall ease of use, our product testers agree that its worth its weight in gold.

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$1149 at Amazon

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We Tried It

Minelab Equinox 900

This metal detector is loaded with features including gold-specific settings, various terrain-based presets and vibration mode.

$1149 at Amazon

Shop on Scheels

$1149 at Bass Pro Shops

$1149 at Cabela's

Minelab Equinox 900 Features

Waterproof

The Minelab Equinox 900 is fully submersible up to five meters (16.4 feet) and vibrates when it detects something underwater.

Terrain-Based Presets

Choose from park, field, and beach. Each search mode has two search profiles to help you find what you’re looking for.

Gold Preset

According to our testers, the Minelab Equinox 900 is one of the few units they tested with a gold setting. It also has two search profiles.

Vibration

The Minelab Equinox 900 vibrates when an object is detected. This is ideal for underwater use and individuals with hearing impairment.

Custom User Profiles

Create up to four user profiles on the machine for personalized settings and functionality.

Backlit LCD & Built-in LED Flashlight

The backlit digital display and built-in flashlight allow you to use the Minelab Equinox 900 day or night.

How We Tested It

Product testers Annamarie Higley and Sydney Manning began by assembling the unit, a process they described as easy. “All you had to do is attach the head and slide on the arm cuff,” says Manning. After it was fully assembled and on Higley’s arm, our testers found that they liked the adjustable armrest.

They also liked the rubber on the underside of the handle, which made it easy to grip. However, they preferred the more comfortable foam grips found on other models. Additionally, they questioned how comfortable this metal detector would be overall, given that they were unable to get it tight or flush with Higley’s arm. Aside from these observations, our testers agreed that the Minelab Equinox 900 is very well made and they expect it to last a long time.

Our testers began their official testing process with an air test, which is a standard basic functionality test that many companies recommend prior to first use. To perform this test, our team placed the Minelab Equinox 900 on a non-metal surface outside and proceeded to wave a selection of metal items in front of the coils.

These items included a pair of 10k gold earrings, a copper pipe, aluminum foil, pull tabs, bottle caps, a screw and a nail. It was able to detect all of our items from a foot away or less. It detected gold from 8 to 10 inches away. “This is unsurprising because this is one of the few units with a gold setting,” says Higley.

Gold wasn’t the only metal the Minelab Equinox 900 detected. Our team was highly impressed when this metal detector consistently detected various metals from roughly 10 inches away. Moreover, they found that it effectively discriminated against the nail and the screw in one of the terrain-based presets, which most other models were unable to do.

While the overall performance of the Minelab Equinox 900 impressed our team, its depth reader left much to be desired. According to Higley, the depth reader was typically incorrect. That said, it still did a great job picking up items that were deep beneath the ground. “We were really impressed how deep this metal detector could detect items, even through a bunch of big buried rocks,” says Higley.

Additionally, our team determined that the screen was not very intuitive. However, they noted that the manual is comprehensive and walks you through everything well.

The Minelab Equinox 900 will set you back $1,149 but our testers agree it’s worth the money. “Not many metal detectors are fitted out with gold-specific settings, but this one is. In fact, it has two gold settingsone for difficult ground and one for normal ground. The fact that this could identify 10-karat gold from 8 inches away and 14-karat gold from 10 inches away really wowed us,” raves Higley.

Pros

• Has gold-specific settings
• Nice included accessories
• Various terrain-based presets
• Smaller secondary coil head
• Rechargeable
• Vibration mode
• Quality construction

Cons

• Expensive
• Not the most intuitive to read

Why You Should Trust Us

In order to help you decide if the Minelab Equinox 900 is the right detector for you, our product testing experts on the product testing team spent approximately 80 hours in our lab getting up close and personal with 11 metal detectors. Several of those hours were spent actively testing the Minelab Equinox 900.

We performed 13 tests on each metal detector and collected roughly 600 data points overall. We also spoke to Joanna Jana Laznicka, metal detectorist and founder of Focus Speed. Laznicka provided expert insight on what to look for when shopping for metal detectors. She also detailed her experience with some of the best models on the market, including the Minelab Equinox 900.

FAQ

How deep can the Minelab Equinox 900 detect?

The Minelab Equinox 900 is able to detect items that are buried 8 inches or deeper.

Is the EQUINOX 900 good for beginners?

Yes. Higley and Manning are beginners and were able to successfully operate this metal detector. They had no trouble referring back to the user manual which they describe as comprehensive and easy to follow.

Can the EQUINOX 900 find gold?

Yes! The Minelab Equinox 900 has two gold-specific settings. Our team was able to identify 10-karat gold from 8 inches away and 14-karat gold from 10 inches away.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

Detectorists love the Minelab Equinox 900. Most reviewers rave about its quality construction, accuracy and ease of use. Here’s what actual users have to say.

Verified Amazon user The Master Dude is a novice detectorist who is glad he opted for the Minelab Equinox 900. “I just started metal detecting in 2024 and I am so glad I purchased the Minelab Equinox 900. I have gone out detecting some old farms in Pennsylvania and this detector has impressed me every time,” he writes. “I recommend you watch some online videos to see how others have tested the Equinox 900. There are some excellent videos where the video person digs multiple depth holes and places coins in the bottom of each hole. I stand by their results because I have witnessed similar findings. I love this detector and plan to continue using it for many years to come. I also purchased an optional 15-inch coil so I can cover more ground. I feel it increases my productivity in the plowed fields.”

Pj, another five-star reviewer, purchased this metal detector as a gift for their husband and it was a huge hit! “I purchased this Minelab 900 detector for my husband’s birthday after he saw someone using one on the beach. He had another older brand that was years old and this one just blew him away for the ease and accuracy of use,” writes Pj. “He has taken the pro find pin pointer by itself sometimes when we go a short drive to the lake. He is still learning on how to use it because he is old school he is not into ‘tech’ stuff but he will have it all down soon enough.”

And Amazon user Lucinda Griffin is delighted to have upgraded to the Minelab Equinox 900. “There is a learning curve to using this, but that’s the same with any detector. Its preset programs are on point, and you can customize the way you want them,” she writes. “This thing is lightweight, making you swing longer without tiring out, and it is so compact when the shaft is slid up into its three sections. I upgraded from a Whites XLT and a V3i. I thought I loved that V3i, but found a new connection with this Equinox 900. I’ve only just begun to use it, and found 3 dimes and a quarter in my yard that I missed with the V3i. Looking forward to many hunts with this Nox900.”

Better yet, Griffin returned to update her review. “Update…this detector hits hard on silver! 11-inch deep dime and 8-inch deep half dollar, among more dimes. Loving it,” she raves.

The Minelab Equinox 900 vs. Minelab Equinox 800

The Minelab Equinox 900 is the latest model in the Equinox lineup. It’s also the most expensive, running $350 more than its predecessor. Is it worth the extra money? You bet, according to Laznicka. “The Equinox 800 has been known to experience waterproofing issues if left in hot cars, which can damage the seals. It also has a tendency for the coil ears to break. However, both of these issues have been addressed in the newer Minelab Equinox 900 model,” she explains.

Final Verdict

If your budget allows for a top notch metal detector, then this Minelab Equinox 900 is a no brainer. Its gold-specific settings and ability to detect items buried deep in the ground are sure to give you a leg up when it comes to finding buried treasure.

Where to Buy the Minelab Equinox 900

The Minelab Equinox 900 is available for $1,149 at a variety of retailers including Amazon, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops and Scheels.

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$1149 at Amazon

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$1149 at Cabela's

We Tried It

Minelab Equinox 900

The Minelab Equinox 900 is superior at detecting gold and deep items.

$1149 at Amazon

Shop on Scheels

$1149 at Bass Pro Shops

$1149 at Cabela's

The post Want to Strike Gold? Here’s Why You Need the Minelab Equinox 900 Metal Detector appeared first on Family Handyman.

What is the Chelsea Flower Show?

The Chelsea Flower Show is put on every year by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Most awards are judged by a carefully curated panel of gardening experts. According to the RHS, that panel generally includes “horticulturalists, garden designers, landscape architects, contractors, head gardeners, journalists or writers, and lecturers.” However, visitors also get to vote on certain awards. This practice allows all facets of the community to judge the gardens.

What’s Unique This Year?

This year, one entrant is aiming to present a futuristic garden: one that can talk back to you. Designer Tom Massey, working with Microsoft, plans to enter a garden that uses AI to communicate its needs. His goal is to embed soil sensors for as many of the garden’s needs as possible. These sensors will connect to a computer that can translate the soil readings into plain answers about what the garden needs.

He hopes that this technology can soon be used at a wider scale to usher in a new era of eco-conscious gardening. If gardeners can tell exactly how moist the soil is, they can be even more precise in their watering, for example. If enough people can implement something like this, Massey thinks, there could be a significant positive impact on water use.

AI and Resources

It is important to note here that generative AI consumes vast quantities of resources. So, we should not utilize it frivolously. According to Cindy Gorton, a contributor to Forbes, the data centers that power generative AI use “cooling towers and air mechanisms to dissipate heat, causing up to 9 liters of water to evaporate per kWh of energy used.” Water is already a scarce resource. It is our duty to be mindful of how we consume it and what we are doing to safeguard it. After all, you can’t nourish a garden without water.

Sources

AI Is Accelerating the Loss of Our Scarcest Natural Resource: Water, Forbes, 2024

The post The Next Big Thing In Gardening: Talking Plants? appeared first on Family Handyman.

A Quick Leaf Cleanup Trick

YouTuber Paris Karnes shared a quick hack to quickly tidy up unsightly leaves from your yard.

First, you shake out a large plastic bag. Then, stand in a wide stance and tightly wrap the bag around your feet. Shuffle your feet through the leaf pile and, with your hands, pull the leaves toward you into the bag.

This will save a lot of time and take some strain off your back from bending down repeatedly to move leaves from the ground to the bag. Its recommended that you wear gloves when handling yard debris.

Other Leaf Cleanup Hacks

One of the simplest ways to streamline leaf gathering is to use a tarp. Spread a large tarp on the ground in the areas where youll be raking and rake the leaves directly onto it. Once the tarp is full, simply drag it to your compost bin or disposal area. This technique minimizes the number of trips back and forth and makes moving large piles of leaves at once easy.

The fastest way to remove leaves from your lawn is with a lawnmower with a bagging attachment. By mowing over your leaves, youll shred them into smaller pieces. This makes the leaves perfect for mulching garden beds, providing natural insulation for your plants during the colder months.

Bagging Leaves vs. Leaving Them

The debate over whether to bag fallen leaves or leave them on the ground often divides lawn care enthusiasts.

On one hand, bagging leaves provides a neat and tidy lawn and helps prevent thick leaf layers from smothering grass. Bagging is also a way to keep yard spaces looking well-kept, especially important in neighborhoods with strict landscaping standards. However, proponents of leaving leaves argue that they provide essential nutrients and act as a natural mulch that enriches the soil and protects grass roots from winter cold.

Left untouched, a layer of leaves can create a blanket on the ground where mold can thrive over the course of a long winter. But when mulched with a mower, leaves break down much faster, adding organic matter back into the ground and creating a healthier ecosystem for the lawn. Also, leaving leaves benefits local wildlife, as it offers shelter for insects and small animals, essential for biodiversity.

For those who want the best of both worlds, mulching leaves on-site can offer a compromiseallowing the leaves to nourish the soil without overwhelming the lawn.

The post Could This Hack Make Bagging Leaves Easier? appeared first on Family Handyman.

Most recently, L.L. Bean teamed up with singer-songwriter Noah Kahan on a capsule collection that includes hats, jackets and the beloved Bean Boots. The pieces were released on October 22, 2024. Ready to shop the collection before it sells out? Check it out below:

The Northern Altitude Collection

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L.L. Bean & Noah Kahan Mountain Classic Five-Panel Hat

This hat is made of water- and wind-resistant material (it is also UPF 50+ rated) and features a woven patch touting the collection's name.

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L.L. Bean & Noah Kahan Signature 1933 Chamois Cloth Shirt

Perfect for fall, this soft flannel shirt buttons down the front and has a slim fit throughout.

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L.L. Bean & Noah Kahan L.L. Beanie

The all-black L.L. Beanie can be adjusted, thanks to the rolled cuff, and is made from recycled polyester.

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L.L.Bean & Noah Kahan Hoodie Sweatshirt

Grab this cozy hoodie with the embroidered Noah Kahan and L.L. Bean logo on the front (we give bonus points for the kangaroo pouch).

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L.L. Bean & Noah Kahan Bean Boots

Handmade in Maine, these Bean Boots are built to last, thanks to the rubber outsole and waxed canvas upper.

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L.L. Bean & Noah Kahan Boat and Tote Zip Pouch

This zip pouch fits inside a larger bag (ahem, the Boat and Tote bag), and comes emblazoned with the Noah Kahan patch.

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L.L. Bean & Noah Kahan Mountain Classic Anorak

Keep the rain out with this water resistant jacket, which comes in both men's and women's sizes.

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The post The Noah Kahan x L.L. Bean ‘Northern Altitude Collection’ is a Love Letter to New England appeared first on Family Handyman.

Add a Small Water Feature

With minimal materials and effort, you can build this beautiful artesian fountain in just two days. Andbonusonce it’s built, you don’t have to worry about maintenance.Here’s how to build it yourself.

The post 19 Inexpensive Landscaping Fixes That Look Pricey appeared first on Family Handyman.

I live on a beautiful country road alongside both professional landscapers and our green-thumbed neighbors, Patty and Steve. The pressure to keep up is real. But, if you know me, you know that it’s safety first. Ahead, we’ll take a deep dive into leaf pile safety how to keep kids, pets, and yourself safe while maintaining your property.

What Bugs and Animals Hide in Leaf Piles?

According to The Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation, leaves provide excellent shelter and habitat for many insects, such as butterflies, moths, and beetles. The Penn State Department of Entomology details how these insects not only promote decomposition and vital nitrogenization of our earth but also pollinate and contribute to necessary plant reproduction. If you’re curious about how to clean up your property as beautifully as Patty and Steve while not disturbing all of this precious buggy ecosystem, check out our other article on whether to rake or leave your leaves alone.

Safety Hazards of Leaf Piles

When it comes to leaf pile safety, there’s more than just the hazard of stepping on a rake. With great biodiversity comes great responsibility. Understanding that there’s a whole world under our leaf piles means well, there’s a whole world under our leaf piles.

Bugs

Those aforementioned bugs can include ones that bite and sting, so be sure to keep a clothing barrier between you and the leaves. This will help reduce some of your risk of getting bitten or stung.

In addition to excellent popcorn, my real-life Boy Scout brother had a number of Scout-branded pamphlets on taking warm showers after camping to wash off ticks. That recommendation absolutely applies here. In the United States, ticks are endemic. Once you or your family are finished playing in or cleaning up your leaves, make sure to put your clothes and your bodies in their respective wash cycles.

Mold

According to health educator and allergist Dr. Maya Gharfeh, “One of the biggest hidden allergens under those leaf piles is mold. If you are mold allergic, make sure to take allergy medications before you head out and wear a face mask while working in the yard this Fall to help prevent allergy symptoms.”

Sharp Objects

Depending on how you gathered your leaves, you may have collected more than just leaves, but also sticks, snakes, and contraband lawn darts. So wear long pants, gloves, close-toed shoes, and any other protective gear that makes sense for whatever you plan to do in those piles.

Leaf Pile Safety Tips

• Wear protective clothing, such as gloves, long pants, and close-toed shoes, and always keep at least one clothing layer between you and the leaves.
• Be mindful of any non-leaf debris you may have collected while gathering leaf piles.
• If you have allergies, consider wearing a facemask.
• Shower and wash your clothes after leaf pile activities.

For more information, take a look at how to best and most efficiently clean up leaves.

About the Experts

Maya Gharfeh, MD, MPH, is double board-certified in allergy/immunology and pediatrics. She practices in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she cares for patients of all ages with allergy, asthma, eczema and immunology needs. She is published in many academic journals and active in several national allergy societies. Dr. Gharfeh is a health educator through her online handle @allergistmama.

Sources

• PennState | Department of Entomology: Insect Life Under the Leaves (2021)
• The Xerces Society: Leave The Leaves! These Invertebraates Depend On It. (2022)

The post The Hidden Dangers Lurking Beneath Your Leaf Pile appeared first on Family Handyman.

Hungry for more? Check out this newest fall staple.

What is the Solo Stove Cookout Kit?

If you’ve ever debated whether you should bring your fire pit or grill to the parking lot tailgate, the Solo Stove Cookout Kit is for you. This kit comfortably elevates your Bonfire 2.0 off the ground and turns it into a grill for cooking, effectively giving you the best of both worlds. It is worth noting that this kit is only compatible (as of now) with the Bonfire 2.0, so don’t try to stick your Yukon in the slot; you’ll be disappointed when it topples over. Perhaps in the future, the brand will release different size options.

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The kit is made of the same durable powder-coated steel Solo Stove uses on its fire pits. It’s also corrosion resistant, so you can feel good spending a couple hundred dollars on a product that’ll actually last outside.

Little ledges pull out on either side of the fire pit holder, ideal for prepping buns or laying out a few condiments. Plus, who doesn’t like a little counter space when they’re cooking or grilling? The legs can also be folded in or out, depending on how high up you’d like the flame to sit.

This foldability also makes it easy to throw the Cookout Kit in your car and set up in mere minutes when you get to your destination.

And for big-time NFL fans, Solo Stove offers Cookout Kit customizations featuring the logo of your favorite team.

Where to Buy the Solo Stove Cookout Kit

VIA MERCHANT

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Solo Stove Cookout Kit

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Ready to turn your Bonfire 2.0 into a usable grill? Secure your own Solo Stove Cookout Kit on the Solo Stove website for around $300. The kit comes with a charcoal adapter, cookout frame and cast iron grill top.

The post Solo Stove Just Dropped a Portable Grill Kit That Fits Over Your Fire Pit appeared first on Family Handyman.

The first thing to do when planning any garden or landscape feature is to ask yourself what you want out of it. Are you trying to attract birds? Add color or fragrance to the area? Or cover up some unsightly porch or deck footings? For our project, our goal was to create low-maintenance front yard landscaping that would freshen up our space and boost the curb appeal of our home.

I want to be very clear: low maintenance landscape does not mean NO maintenance. A flower bed or landscape feature in your yard is a living thing that will require some attention. As much as we wish low maintenance meant “put it in the ground and you’re done,” that is not the case. At a minimum, you must water and pay attention to how your garden grows. Plants are just like people: some are high maintenance, and some are low maintenance. Do a little homework so you can make your choice wisely, and the whole flower garden season will be easier in the end.

I was very fortunate to have Melinda Myers, a highly regarded landscape designer, on this project. I gained a ton of knowledge and am happy to share some of her insight.

Choose plants for garden

Once you know what you want from your garden, it’s time to determine the plants that will get you there. Myers recommends first visiting your local garden center and reading the plant tags.

“Plant tags are excellent,” she says. “They give you the growing conditions and the size of the plant. Some nurseries are now sharing more information on their website, where you can learn so much more than just the hardiness zone. Will it flower? Is it going to provide interest for songbirds and butterflies? Will it match the color you are looking for?”

Sketch out a plot map that includes the anchor plants you want to plant to get an idea of how the garden will come together. Consider the size of the plants now and how big they will grow. Myers always plans to “use smaller complementary plants and annuals for quick fill until plants grow into the space, so it looks like your garden has been there for a while.”

The post How To Create a Low-Maintenance Front Yard Landscaping Feature appeared first on Family Handyman.

Lantana

These cheery full sun flowers come in a variety of colors. They do best with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Some varieties feature gorgeous multi-colored blooms like the ones pictures here. Others are solid-colored. They handle heat well, too, and are a good choice for landscaping in hot weather.

The post 10 Flowers That Will Thrive in Full Sun appeared first on Family Handyman.

Our team of shopping editors and product testers has taken a dozen fire pits through a battery of ten tests, including the popular Hampton Bay Fire Pit. Specifically, we tested the Hampton Bay Crossridge 30-inch, 50,000-BTU Antique Bronze Gas Fire Pit, which has an average rating of almost five stars at The Home Depot.

We wanted to see if it lived up to its reputation. Read on for our comprehensive Hampton Bay Fire Pit review.

What is the Hampton Bay Fire Pit?

The Hampton Bay Crossridge Fire Pit is a 30-inch, 50,000-BTU gas fire pit. It uses a standard propane tank and features a rustic aesthetic with a natural stone tabletop. With its substantial BTU rating, this fire pit can produce strong, tall flames that can be felt from several feet away. Its relatively neutral but attractive design can fit in backyards of many different styles.

Related: Breeo Smokeless Fire Pit ReviewMy Thoughts

VIA MERCHANT

$179 at Home Depot

We Tried It

Hampton Bay Crossridge Fire Pit Table

A steel-constructed fire pit table with a natural slate top

$179 at Home Depot

Hampton Bay Fire Pit Features

This fire pit comes equipped with several notable features.

Natural Stone Tabletop

The 30-inch-by-30-inch stone tabletop is sturdy and strong. In fact, it is one of our testers’ favorite features of the Hampton Bay Fire Pit.

50,000 BTU Heat

The high BTU rating means the fire pit produces strong flames.

“On the max setting, the flame is high and deep orange, and it encompasses a majority of the bowl,” says Product Testing Manager Annamarie Higley. It also has one of the strongest low settings of all the fire pits our team has tested.

Enclosed Propane Tank

Your guests won’t even know your propane tank is there: The base of this fire pit serves as a complete enclosure for a standard 20-pound propane tank and its hose. However, we must note that our testers find the base to be “chintzy” and not properly aligned, which makes it feel somewhat out of place compared to the nice, sturdy stone tabletop.

Electric Ignition

This fire pit features an electric ignition that’s easy to use.

“You have to hold down the igniter, then turn the burner knob,” Higley explains. “Once it lights, you let go of the igniter and can adjust the flame size.”

How We Tested It

We put the Hampton Bay Fire Pit through its paces from shopping to set up.

Delivery and Packaging

The Hampton Bay Fire Pit pleased our testing team in several areas, but packaging and delivery were not one of them. Though it was delivered straight to the door with no pallet or freight required, our testers experienced an unpleasant situation upon opening the box.

“On the exterior, this box looked comparable to the rest, but we opened it up to find that lava rocks had spilled everywhere,” Higley said. “The tape on the box of rocks lifted off, so they were scattered throughout the entire box. Because of this, most items were coated in a thin layer of dustvery unpleasant and irritating.”

We felt we needed to mention this in case it’s a frequent occurrence, but it’s entirely possible that this doesn’t happen to you at all.

Assembly

This fire pit was the easiest for our testing team to assemble (moving on from the disastrous packing situation). They experienced some minor hiccups with aligning parts, but overall, it was easy, and the directions were simple to follow.

The steps were comparable to those of other fire pit models our team tested; nothing was out of the ordinary. The weightiness of the stone tabletop is the only thing that might slow you down, says Higley. Our team recorded a setup time of just 35 minutes.

Propane Hookup

The propane hookup was “super simple and easy,” according to Higley. You just screw the hose onto the propane tank. After connecting it, our testing team searched for leaks by spraying connections with soapy water and watching for bubbles as we turned the valve on. They’re happy to report no leakage occurred.

Use

Overall, the Hampton Bay Fire Pit is easy to use, although you may encounter minor setbacks. For instance, our team realized that they initially inserted the alkaline battery incorrectly, so they experienced some false starts during which a fair amount of gas must’ve built up in the hose.

“Once we addressed the issue and turned the fire pit table on, the flames were substantial and pretty smoky,” says Higley. “Oops.”

This inexplicably came with a screen that is not mentioned in the manual, on the box or on the website. However, some customer photo reviews feature the screen.

“Theoretically, we liked the screen because the flames felt more contained with it on, which gave us a sense of security,” Higley says. “That being said, it gave off a foul burning-rubber, chemical smell. It also started to warp and even incurred a burn mark after only 15 minutes of use. Without it on, the fire was more aggressive. There’s also no handle on the screen, so it could be dangerous to move and lift when hot because there’s no good way to grab it.”

After investigating further, we realized that this screen might only be intended for use during the initial setup to contain potential sparks from flying. However, there’s no information on the website or in the user manual, so we can’t be sure.

Flames and Heat

The Hampton Bay Fire Pit produces strong, tall flames on the highest setting (50,000 BTUs), which our testers appreciate. However, they note that the flames seem pretty susceptible to the wind.

“The flames move around easily, and it’s a little scary if you’re close to it,” says Higley. “You definitely wouldn’t want to set anything on the edge of the table, despite what vendor images imply.”

Why You Should Trust Us

Our team at Family Handyman consists of subject matter experts in home topics, as well as experienced, dedicated shopping editors and commerce writers who care about helping our readers make the right purchasing decisions for them.

We also have an in-house product testing team that actually shops for, assembles, and uses the products we review. For this Hampton Bay fire pit review, our product testers took the fire pit through a series of tests we’ve standardized for fire pits, looking at criteria such as packaging and delivery, assembly, ease of use, durability and longevity, heat emission, and value.

FAQ

How do I ignite a Hampton Bay fire pit?

Most Hampton Bay Fire Pits feature electric ignition, so it should be a simple matter of turning a knob and flipping a switch. However, each model may have differences. Be sure to read the user manual for the model you buy.

How heavy is the Hampton Bay fire pit?

Hampton Bay makes multiple fire pit models, so the exact weight depends on the one you buy. The one we testedthe 30-inch, 50,000-BTU Crossridge modelweighs almost 90 pounds out of the box.

What Other Reviewers and Experts Had to Say

This fire pit has strong reviews on its primary online retailer, The Home Depot. Out of nearly 3,000 reviews, it boasts an average rating of 4.4 stars at the time of writing.

Buyer OCmom called it the “perfect fire pit,” while reviewer Steven said, “Great size, easy to assemble and puts off plenty of heat. Definitely a good addition to your backyard oasis!”

Some buyers noted things they’d change about the model.

For instance, buyer Susan said, “I’ve had this for a few years now. It intermittently goes out after burning for several minutes; after several restarts and turning the knob to the magic position, it stays lit. Rather annoying when trying to relax and enjoy the ambiance. Also the grout between the tiles is cracking and coming apart. When the flame does stay on, it’s wonderful and I love it.”

Overall, most buyers are happy with their purchase and get several years of use out of the fire pit.

Hampton Bay Fire Pit vs. Tiki Brand Fire Pit

Our product testers also tried the Tiki Brand customizable fire pit. The experience was different in some ways but the same in others. For one thing, the Tiki Brand customizable fire pit is, well, customizable. It costs substantially more at $499about double the pricebut a big part of the draw is that it’s customizable with various accessories.

During testing, Higley said, “This will probably appeal to a specific taste. It’s more modern-looking with a streamlined profile. It’s all black with rounded edges. It’s cone-shaped, and you can add a tabletop (included in purchase but shipped in a separate box), which would make it look more similar to the other fire pits.”

Like the Hampton Bay fire pit, the Tiki Brand fire pit was relatively easy to assemble but hard to move due to its weight. Our testers think the Tiki Brand pit has more longevity, as it feels much more durable and hefty. You can read our full Tiki Brand fire pit review for more details on the customizable propane fire pit.

Final Verdict

Our team liked the Hampton Bay Fire Pit for the most part, but they think it might be priced slightly high for it to be a must-buy value.

“It’s not a great value, which is a shame because the screen was a great concept, and the natural stone table top was pretty impressive,” Higley said. It might be worth the dough if you catch it on sale (which it often is). Shop for more fire pits with our guide to the best fire pits on Amazon.

Where to Buy the Hampton Bay Fire Pit

VIA MERCHANT

$179 at Home Depot

We Tried It

Hampton Bay Crossridge Fire Pit Table

An antique bronze fire pit table that'll upgrade your patio

$179 at Home Depot

The Hampton Bay Fire Pit is available at The Home Depot for about $180.

The post Hampton Bay Fire Pit Review: Our Experts’ Honest Thoughts appeared first on Family Handyman.

KARUNA EBERL FOR FAMILY HANDYMAN

Shop on Bouge RV

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Shop at Wellbots

Best Overall Electric Cooler

BougeRV Rocky 55QT Dual Zone 12V Portable Fridge

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We’re awarding BougeRV’s Rocky 55-quart electric cooler best in show because of its versatility, size, weight, depth of features and affordability. After testing it out, it’s become our go-to mid-size electric cooler.

BougeRV’s Rocky series was designed for overlanding, which means multi-day off-road adventures. Testing challenge accepted! Since it’s designed for rough and tumble situations, the Rocky 55 is fitted with a flashy, durable stainless steel exterior that’s strong enough to withstand 664 pounds loaded on top of it. The Rocky is also efficient on power, drawing just 45 watts in eco-mode. As a bonus, the metal casing is also fingerprint resistant, so it stayed looking fresh, even when we did not.

The Rocky 55 is a true dual-zone model, which means you can assign each of its two compartments to be a fridge or a freezer. It also has a removable divider between them, which we found to be particularly handy when we were trying to fit a rack of ribs and a big bunch of chard. It would also be great for anglers or hunters who needed some extra length to store their catch.

As an upsell, you can buy a 173 Wh battery to run it off of, which can take 100W of solar (panel also sold separately). While most other manufacturers make unrealistic claims about how long their batteries will last under real-world conditions, BougeRV is refreshingly honest and spot-on with theirs: expect it to last only around four hours on eco-mode in hot weather. Of course, as with most electric coolers, you can also run it off of your car’s 12V socket, a regular AC wall plug or a portable power station. If you’re going that latter route, for any sizable electric cooler, plan on about 1,000 watt-hours per day (or better yet, 1,500 to be safe).

The Rocky 55 is also compact and lightweight for its capacity, not much larger on the outside than the Anker EverFrost 30, Bluetti MultiCooler, or EcoFlow Glacier, but with quite a bit more room inside. It’s also about 6 pounds lighter.

The Rocky’s biggest (perhaps only) flaw is that it doesn’t have wheels, making it more awkward to transport. Unless you’re particularly burly, you’ll want to do a team carry with this (and most other electric coolers, for that matter).

BougeRV’s rocky series comes in 41- to 81-quart sizes, and the company also makes several other lines of portable coolers.

Specs

• 55-quart capacity
• Dual-zone, independently assignable
• 44 pounds
• AC and DC power
• Optional pairing with 173 Wh battery
• Built-in battery compartment
• Solar charging (100W max, only with battery)
• 2-year warranty
• 60-watt average power draw
• Cooling to -4 degrees F
• Flush mount aluminum handles
• Removable compartment divider
• App control
• Bottle opener
• Door-activated LED light
• Cupholders
• Drain

The post We Found the Best Electric Coolers After Testing 10 Options appeared first on Family Handyman.

Luckily, Ive locked down my all-time favorite outdoor fire pit brand: Solo Stove. Ive tested products from various outdoor brands, and I’ve written countless Solo Stove reviews. So far, my favorite smokeless fire pit comes from Solo Stove. Ive spent countless hours testing products from the brand: Fire pits, chairs, patio heaters, you name it. If Solo Stove makes it, Ive (likely) tested it. Heres what you need to know before placing an order.

What is Solo Stove?

Solo Stove is a leading outdoor fire pit brand founded in 2011 by two brothers and a small camp stove. Their mission? To gather family and friends to create good memories. They get it.

Now, the brand has grown to include a variety of smokeless fire pits and pizza ovens, patio furniture, outdoor heaters and outdoor accessories. In addition to the official Solo Stove website, you can find select Solo Stove products on Amazon.

How We Test Solo Stove Products

I have tested over a dozen Solo Stove products in nearly every category, including evergreen, limited-edition and seasonal items. I evaluate each product based on the delivery experience, packaging, assembly, quality, and ease of use. Outfitting your patio or backyard setup with Solo Stove gear can be expensive, so I examine, test and review each product as thoroughly as I can with your hard-earned dollar in mind.

Fire Pits

Fire pits are the bread and butter of Solo Stove and the reason the brand was created. Solo Stove fire pits are a great way to add ambiance and (literal) warmth to your outdoor space, and theyre great for roasting smores and hotdogs, as well as grilling other food items.

When it comes to smokeless fire pits, Solo Stove as a brand is a leading force, creating products that meetand in many cases exceedindustry standards. Each fire pit is made with sturdy, weatherproof 304 stainless steel and designed to funnel smoke upward away instead of outward. Solo Stoves 360-degree Signature Airflow design heats air to burn off smoke, so you dont have to shift around the fire pit to avoid teary eyes and a face full of smoke.

One of our favorite fire pit picks is the Bonfire 2.0, made for the backyard and beyond. In other words, its designed for a permanent or portable fire pit experience. The Solo Stove Bonfire even comes with its own carrying bag, so you can store it safely, load it up, and carry it wherevercamping, tailgating, fall party, you name it. Cleanup is easy, too; the base plate and ash pan are removable, which makes cleaning quick and easy. No special cleaning tools are needed; just lift the base plate to remove the ash pan and dump it.

We also love the Mesa fire pit if youre looking for a smaller, more compact backyard fire experience. It has the same signature stainless steel design as other Solo Stove fire pits (e.g., the Bonfire 2.0), but its miniature and small enough to put on an outdoor table. Getting a fire going only takes a few minutes with the Mesa. Simply place fuel (wood or pellets) into the base of the Mesa, light your fire starter, and youre ready to go!

MARY HENN/FAMILY HANDYMAN

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$219.99 at Amazon

Bonfire 2.0

Shop at Solo Stove

$219.99 at Amazon

MARY HENN/FAMILY HANDYMAN

Shop at Solo Stove

$59.99 at Amazon

Mesa

Shop at Solo Stove

$59.99 at Amazon

Pizza Ovens

Did someone say artisan pizza? ThePi Prime is Solo Stoves first gas-only pizza oven, which comes at a price lower than other gas-powered pizza ovens on the market. The Pi Prime pizza oven is quick and easy to fire upsimply hook it up to an external propane tank and turn the control knob on the front to ignite a flame. After the oven preheats, youre ready to launch your Neapolitan pizza creation.

Like most standardoutdoor pizza ovens, the Pi Prime has a 90-second cooking experience, so pizzas cook ultra-fast at super-high temperatures. Once youve nailed launching and turning the pizza without overcooking it, youll be whipping up homemade pies for everyone to enjoy.

If you want to try your hand at wood-fired pizza, theSolo Stove Pi Fire provides the ideal gateway to backyard baking. This portable pizza oven topper fits on top of your existing Solo Stove fire pit. Unliketraditional pizza ovensthat have space for wood at the bottom, the Pi Fire features long legs that elevate it over your smokeless fire pit.

MARY HENN/FAMILY HANDYMAN

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Pi Prime Pizza Oven

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MARY HENN/FAMILY HANDYMAN

Shop at Solo Stove

$259.99 at Amazon

Pi Fire

Shop at Solo Stove

$259.99 at Amazon

Heaters and Lights

Line your patio with sleek, modern torches like the Mesa Torch, a backyard torchlight that runs on fluid. Its a durable, stainless-steel torch made with the famous Solo Stove design, similar to Mesa’s. The weather-resistant steel is painted a semi-matte black to blend seamlessly into any backyard scene. You can choose between two configurations: tall and short. So, your Mesa Torch can light your fence line or be at eye level when youre sitting around the fire pit.

The Mesa Torch has a giant wick, integrated fuel canister and a bezel that fits the snuff cap perfectly for easy extinguishing. Plus, the torch will keep an oversized flame for up to five hours on a single fill. I like to fill mine with a bug-repelling torch fluid to keep mosquitos at bay during the summer.

If youre looking for something to provide a little more warmth than light, the Solo Stove Tower Patio Heateris a pellet-fueled heater that keeps you warm in colder weather.Like the Solo StoveBonfire 2.0fire pit, it issmokeless. It has about a 10-foot heating radius, so its perfect for small to mid-sized patios during chilly (but not freezing) temperatures.

The Tower Patio Heaters hopper box holds about 25 pounds of pellets, and a full hopper box should produce about three hours of warmth. Its perfect if you want a patio heater that doesnt use propane. Pellets are generally easier to store and lighter in weight than firewood. Theyre also typically less expensive than propane and dont pose the same combustion risks as propane tanks.

MARY HENN/FAMILY HANDYMAN

Shop at Solo Stove

$79.99 at Amazon

Mesa Torch

Shop at Solo Stove

$79.99 at Amazon

MARY HENN/FAMILY HANDYMAN

Shop at Solo Stove

Tower Patio Heater

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Furniture

Once your fire pit area is ready to go, youll need seating to kick back and enjoy the crackling flames. Solo Stove is one step ahead. Its sister brand, TerraFlame, has a line of weatherproof outdoor furniture, including the1903 Adirondack modern chair. It combines the classic, timeless design of an Adirondack with new, lightweight outdoor materials. The chair is made of an eco-friendly composite made partially from recycled plastics.

While the chairs materials are resistant to corrosion, the chair is also less prone to chipping and peeling than a chair made of wood. With this Solo Stove chair, you wont have to worry about snagging clothes or blankets on splinters.

Terra Flame recently released new patio furniture, including coffee tables, loveseats and more. Were currently assembling and testing the new furniture for review.

MARY HENN/FAMILY HANDYMAN

Shop at TerraFlame

1903 Adirondack Chair

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FAQ

What is the point of a Solo Stove?

Solo Stove fire pits are designed to promote airflow, which creates a more efficient burn with less smoke. They are also portable, so you can sit around the fire anywhere, and help contain the mess (and sometimes unpredictable nature) of a traditional backyard bonfire.

Can a Solo Stove be used on a deck?

Solo Stove fire pits can be used on a wood deck but this requires careful attention. If the fire pit is not properly elevated and insulated or if its misused, the deck can be charred or caught on fire.

You should never leave your Solo Stove fire pit (or any fire pit) unattended on a combustible surface, even while cooling down.

Do Solo Stoves get hot on the outside?

Yes! The outside of Solo Stove fire pits gets very hot, so please be cautious.

Can Solo Stove be used indoors?

You should never use a Solo Stove fire pit indoors, not even theMesa. It is for outdoor use only, so please do not try to use it indoors at your kitchen table. You can, however, use it on outdoor dining tables and end tables.

TerraFlames Smores Bowl uses smoke-free gel fuel and can be used indoors on a table or counter for easy, inside marshmallow roasting.

Why You Should Trust Us

Family Handyman Shopping Editor Mary Henn is an expert in outdoor trends. For almost two years, shes been tracking and testing Solo Stove products through her Solo Stove review series, which is continuously expanding to include various products from the brand.

Shes spent hours extensively testing everything from the brands fire pits to pizza ovens, backyard heaters, patio furniture and more. While Solo Stove is known for churning out quality backyard and fire pit products, Mary tests every product she can get her hands on to ensure that the brands quality lives up to the hype. That way, you can make consumer-informed decisions based on real-life testing before you buy.

The Bottom Line

If youre looking for a well-made, stainless steel backyard fire pit, Solo Stoves got it. The brand manufactures quality products and thoughtful accessories like smores kits, popcorn makers, gloves and so much more. Like many top-tier fire pit brands, some of their products are pricey, but you pay for a fire pit that will be the center of backyard family gatherings for years to come.

Solo Stoves Mesa fire pit starts at $80, while its smallest ground fire pit, the Ranger, retails for $200. Our favorite, the best-selling Bonfire fire pit, sells for $250, while the brands largest fire pit, the Canyon, is $700. Best of all, many Solo Stove accessories are available to elevate your backyard fire pit experience, making Solo Stove unique. The brand offers free standard shipping with a purchase of $99 or more and frequently runs sales and deals sitewide.

The post Solo Stove Reviews: We Tested Just About Everything on the Website appeared first on Family Handyman.

Every house has numbers so people and the post can find you. Have you noticed how many people DON’T give their house numbers a DIY creative consideration? Most are satisfied with the numbers the house had from the minute they walked in. For this project, I pondered how a set of numbers on the front of your home can set the stage for what lies beyond the door. From a technical perspective, I designed this project so all of you can say, I can do that! Still, from a design perspective, I want the modern house numbers to boost the curb appeal and speak to the people walking up the door for the first time with a “wow,” all while giving it a cool, modern vibe.

Where To Put House Numbers

Your house number should be displayed at eye level or higher in a location where they are easily visible from the road and free of obstructions, such as tree branches. It is recommended that you use contrasting colors or place them near a well-lit area so they are easily visible in low light conditions. Use bigger numbers the further away your home is from the road.

Project Overview

Cutting List

Overall dimensions: 41-1/2″H x 7-1/2″W x 8-1/4″D

Stain the trim

Stain the trim pieces for the panel and flower box (D, E, F, and G) in a contrasting darker color.

Set the stained pieces aside and allow them to dry while you proceed to the next step. Touch up any exposed ends after the number panel is put together and framed.

To avoid staining the natural-colored wood pieces (A, B, and C) with your fingerprints while you put the piece together, you MUST ensure the dark wood stain is dry before you start to handle it. Also, using oil-based stain will give your wood even more longevity when exposed to the elements.

The post How to Install Modern House Numbers for Curb Appeal Flair appeared first on Family Handyman.

Unlike a leaf blower which blows leaves into manageable piles, a leaf vacuum sucks up leaves and other small debris from your lawn and condenses them intobags for quick and easy cleanup. Many leaf vacuums also mulch everything they suck up, making for easy disposal.

We tested almost a dozen different leaf vacuums and were especially impressed by the quick work the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum made of cleaning up over 30 gallons of leaves. This walk-behind machine has the ability to clean up your yard in no time, leaving you free to enjoy all that this season has to offer. We’re talking trips to the pumpkin patch, cider donuts and cool nights outside at the bonfire. Heres everything you need to know about the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum.

What is the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum?

TheDR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum is a gas-powered, walk-behind leaf vacuumsimilar to apush mower. Its powerfulsuction allows it to clean up huge piles of leaves and other backyard debris.

In spite of its bulk and weightit weighs 120 poundsthis machine is surprisingly easy to assemble. It arrives via freight delivery on a large palette. The lawn vacuum is very securely locked down within the box, with dozens of straps that have to be cut away to get the partially assembled vacuum loose. That said, our testers noted that the vacuum does come mostly put together, so assembly only consists of attaching all of the larger pieces to the main unit.

“It was tricky lifting this beast out of its box, as well as navigating it around with the giant hose continually getting in the way. But again, it was mostly just connecting the large pieces together into one full unit,” says product tester Sheri Kaz.

Another reason we’re so impressed by this machine is that its loaded with extra features, including an onboard chipper, steel impeller, easy bagging system and optional hose kit. You can even adjust the height to best suit wet or dry conditions.

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$1299.99 at Acme Tools

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we tried it

DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum

This self-propelled, gas-powered machine has a serrated all-steel impeller and on-board chipper to handle large fall cleanups.

Shop on Tractor Supply Co.

$1299.99 at Acme Tools

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DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum Features

EZ Bagger Leaf Collection System

Rather than having to attach, empty and re-attach a reusable bag every time you fire this bad boy up, the DR Leaf and Lawn vacuum uses standard leaf bags that can be deposited at the curb or in the compost pile. The platform holds the bag, and the support ring provides a crimp bar for quick installation. Plus, the latch keeps it secure. Just be sure to read the instruction manual carefully.

“At first, we were confused about how to secure the bag in place, then Annamarie figured out that you secure the bag from underneath,” says product tester Dylan Fischer.

This leaf vacuum also includes a leaf bag caddie that is attached to the unit. It holds up to 10 standard leaf bags, so you have empties on hand as you make your way around the yard. You can purchase another caddie separately for even more storage. You can also buy reusable leaf collection bags if you prefer.

Serrated Steel Impeller

This tough blade mulches everything that crosses its path. In fact, the brand is so confident in this impeller’s durability that it’s backed by a lifetime warranty.

On-Board Chipper

An on-board chipper allows you to add branches up to 1.5 inches in diameter for even more thorough cleanups.

Optional Hose Kit

Purchase an optional hose kit to clean hard-to-reach spots up to seven feet away from the machine, such as window wells, beneath shrubs or along the foundation.

How We Tested It

Product testers Sheri Kaz and Dylan Fischer led the charge and set out to see what the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum was really made of. After unpacking and assembling the machine, they added the oil and gas and started it up. Initially, both testers found it difficult to start.

“Dylan couldn’t figure out how to properly work the choke valve, so we had to recruit some city workers,” explains Kaz. “Of course, the guy (shout out to Greenfield City Worker, Bruce!) was able to start it immediately without asking a single question.”

According to our testers, the choke lever on this machine is a piece of metal that the instructions say must be pushed inward. In reality, it needs to be pulled more to the side when starting the engine, then slowly released as the engine revs up.

Once the unit was up and running, we scattered roughly 30 gallons of leaves across two 10-foot by 4-foot rectangles of grass. One rectangle had dry leaves, and the other had damp leaves that had been misted by a hose. Our testers recorded the time it took the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum to suck up each set of leaves on the highest setting.

For both the wet and dry leaf tests, the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum gave an impressive performance, sucking up almost everything in its path in just one pass. They also appreciated how the chipper automatically turns on without you having to do anything, so it’s always ready to be fed sticks.

Fischer notes that this leaf vacuum isn’t too bad when it comes to maneuverability and feels very similar to a push lawnmower.

What wasn’t ideal, however, was the amount of dust that this unit produced.

“This machine spit out a lot of dust behind it, and Dylan was in the direct line of fire,” says Kaz. “He stopped and had to put on safety eyewear.” The team attributes this to the tubing, which spits debris out toward the top of the vacuum instead of the bottom.

Once everything had been sucked up, our testers noted that the contents of the leaf bag had been mulched up very fine and small. They also pointed out that the on-board chipper is a great feature to have.

Pros

• Handles huge piles of wet and dry leaves
• On-board chipper works well on branches
• Direct bagging
• Steel impeller with a lifetime warranty
• Cleans large areas quickly
• You can walk away from this machine and leave it running

Cons

• Creates a lot of dust
• Too bulky and stiff to make quick turns

FAQ

How does DR Lawn vacuum work?

During testing, our product testing team found that the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum is quite intuitive. All you have to do is start it up and push it around your yard until all of the leaves and other small debris are gone. Any branches you pick up can be put directly into the on-board chipper. When you’re finished with your cleanup, simply remove the bag and put on a new one for next time.

How long will my DR leaf vacuum run?

The DR Lawn and Leaf Vacuum does not run on a battery. It has a 1.0-liter fuel capacity and a 0.5-liter oil capacity and can hold up to 50 pounds of debris. You can expect this machine to run until it runs out of fuel or has reached capacity.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

Verified Tractor Supply Co. user SayCheese writes, “The DR Leaf Vacuum is great! It came on a pallet and needed a small amount of assembly. Only 1/2-inch wrench is required. I am glad I took the advice from others and spent the extra money on the self-propelled. This may sound crazy but, I found operating it to be relaxing. Raking that would take 5-6 hrs. It only took 1-1 1/2 hrs with this machine.”

Kenneth from Little Elm, Texas, is impressed by the performance and convenience of this leaf vacuum and calls it an incredible machine.

“This thing is powerful and vacuums like a champ,” they write on the DR Power website. “However, the real beauty of this machine is its ability to bag in paper bags. Anybody can blow them into a pile, but the pickup is a pain. This eliminates the drudgery of the work and is actually fun. And your neighbors will crowd around wondering what it is!”

And Michael, a 76-year-old from Maryland, calls the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum a fantastic labor-saving machine.

“My usual method has been to blow leaves into a pile, rake onto a tarp, drag tarp to mulch area, run my lawn mower repeatedly over the piles and rake the flakes onto the mulch pile: maybe 6 hours of work 4 or 5 times a season,” they write. “This machine saves me maybe 4 hours each time and lots of sweat. This XTSP has proven this season to be a life-saver. I’m ecstatic, and mention it to everyone!”

DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum vs. Billy Goat Leaf Vacuum

Our experts on the product testing team tested two walk-behind leaf vacuums for comparison sake: the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum and the Billy Goat Lawn & Litter Vacuum. While both units claim to be self-propelled, our team preferred the Billy Goat lawn vacuum’s maneuverability and ability to take quick turns over the stiffer drive of the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum. Additionally, our testers also liked the automated choke lever on the Billy Goat better than the choke lever on the DR.

In terms of performance, the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum cleaned up a large, 10-by-4 area more efficiently than the Billy Goat. The DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum sucked up almost everything in under a minute with just one pass. The Billy Goat, on the other hand, took about a minute and a half and two passes to clear the same amount of leaves in the same area.

The other major difference between the two units is the bag. The Billy Goat Leaf Vacuum comes with a reusable, zipperless bag that is easy to attach and remove. However, it quickly becomes stained and unsightly. The DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum uses standard paper leaf bags that can be closed and put down at the curb or dumped into a compost pile. And if you happen to prefer a reusable bag, you can purchase one separately for the DR for $85.

Final Verdict

“Huge fan of the chipper on this one! Anyone who has to spend a lot of time raking up branches on their lawn will undoubtedly find themselves using this feature a lot,” raves Fischer.

And that’s not the only thing we love about this machine. We’re fans of the reusable bags that are easy to dispose of, the on-board chipper and the steel impeller that mulches leaves and debris as it sucks them up. One thing is for sure: the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum is sure to have your yard clean in no time.

Where to Buy the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum

The DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum is available for around $1,500 at Tractor Supply Co.,Acme Tools, or Blain’s Farm and Fleet. It includes a few paper leaf bags to get you started.

VIA MERCHANT

Shop on Tractor Supply Co.

$1299.99 at Acme Tools

Shop on DR Power

we tried it

DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum

This powerful and efficient vacuum cleared roughly 30 gallons of wet and dry leaves in just one pass.

Shop on Tractor Supply Co.

$1299.99 at Acme Tools

Shop on DR Power

The post The DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum is as Convenient as it is Efficient appeared first on Family Handyman.

While these 2-in-1 tools sound like they’d be a major investment, they can be pretty affordable. Case in point: The Toro Ultra Blower Vac is a model you can pick up for around $100. We took this budget-friendly blower vac into our Testing Lab to see if it’s up to the task of a fall cleanup. Heres everything you need to know about this model.

What is the Toro Ultra Blower Vac?

The Toro Ultra Blower Vac is an electric leaf blower that also functions as a leaf vacuum. It has a 4-inch cord and a detachable leaf bag you wear on your shoulder while vacuuming up leaves and debris. In our studio, this blower weighed in at 7.45 pounds. Between its lightweight design, two handles and easy-to-use power knob, the Toro Ultra Blower Vac is comfortable to hold and easy to maneuver.

In blower mode, its motor produces a velocity and air volume of up to 340 cubic feet per minute (CFM), shooting air out at 260 miles per hour (MPH). In vacuum mode, it operates at an impressive 405 cubic feet per minute (CFM) and mulches everything it sucks up. While the manufacturer doesn’t specify the bag’s capacity, it had no trouble sucking up the 30 gallons of leaves we spread out. Once you’re finished, simply empty the contents into a disposable bag and you’re free to go about the rest of your day.

Keep reading for a full breakdown of the Toro Ultra Blower Vac’s features and to find out why it’s one of our budget-friendly picks.

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$121.23 at Walmart

$129.99 at Ace Hardware

$99.98 at Lowe's

$119.99 at Amazon

we tried it

Toro Ultra Leaf Blower Vac

Affordability, performance and ease of use make the Toro Ultra Blower Vac a worthy addition to your tool collection.

$121.23 at Walmart

$129.99 at Ace Hardware

$99.98 at Lowe's

$119.99 at Amazon

Toro Ultra Blower Vac Features

Versatility

As mentioned above, the Toro Ultra Blower Vac functions as both a leaf blower and leaf vacuum. To switch between functions, simply attach the vacuum tube and bag and press the fan inlet cover into place. No tools required!

Mulching Capabilities

In vacuum mode, the Toro Ultra Blower Vac’s metal impeller shreds debris into mulch and deposits it into the bag. According to the manufacturer, this machine shreds leaves and reduces their volume by a ratio of 8:01. Though still fairly fine, our testers noted that the mulch produced by this blower is larger than that produced by some other models.

Variable Speed Knob

The Toro Ultra Blower Vac has one knob which starts and stops the unit. This knob also adjusts the air speed in both blower and vacuum mode.

How We Tested It

The Product Testing Team, led by associate product testers Sheri Kaz and Dylan Fischer, took the Toro Ultra Blower Vac into the Testing Lab to see whether it could meet the demands of a fall cleanup. They carefully assessed its assembly and setup, as well as its performance as both a leaf blower and leaf vacuum. Of all the units they tested, the Toro Ultra Blower Vac’s user manual was their least favorite. Unclear instructions made assembly more difficult, especially when it came time to attach one piece in particular. “There’s a detached ‘bottom inlet cover’ that needs to be attached, and the directions that supposedly explain how to do so are very poor,” explains Kaz.

Once they finished their initial assembly, however, the team was impressed by the unit’s ergonomics, noting that the two handles are nice to hold and the built-in cord management system is well designed and secure.

To test the Toro’s performance, our team scattered dry leaves around a yard, then blew them into a designated 4×10-foot area, evaluating the blower’s directional control, ease of use and noise level. According to our testers, this unit performed best when kept at exactly the right angle. “Blowing capabilities are a lot weaker,” notes Kaz. “You need to be at a pretty low angle to get the best performance from this one’s blowing function. Dylan was bent over much of the time when using this machine.”

After they finished blowing the leaves, Fischer and Kaz set out to test the vacuum function on the Toro Ultra Blower Vac. To convert the machine from a leaf blower to a leaf vacuum, they had to swap the blower tube for the vacuum tube and press the fan inlet cover into place. While it seemed easy enough, it required a bit of elbow grease from Fischer. “It was a little finicky to convert the blower to the vacuum. The plastic fittings were not smooth, which made us wonder if we were doing something wrong,” explains Kaz. “We referred back to the user manual several times while using and it took both of Dylan’s hands to press this fan inlet cover into placeit was very stiff.”

To test the Toro’s vacuum capabilities, the team spread roughly 30 gallons of leaves across two rectangles of grass. One rectangle they covered in dry leaves while the other had damp leaves which they’d misted with a hose. Our testers timed how long it took to suck up each rectangle’s leaves while evaluating the machine’s ergonomics, maneuverability, noise level and more. According to Kaz and Fischer’s report, it took just under three minutes to suck up all of the dry leaves and about one minute to suck up the wet ones. Fischer and Kaz agree that it was much easier to use the Toro Ultra Blower Vac as a leaf vacuum than as a leaf blower.

Despite some setbacks, our Product Testing Team recommends the Toro Ultra Blower Vac to anyone shopping on a budget. Given its low price point, vacuum performance and maneuverability, it’s a great value overall. “The placement of the grip handles allow for solid maneuverability, which ended up being very useful as we had to bend over to get the best performance out of the blowing function,” says Fischer.

Pros

• Under $100
• Lightweight
• Two grip handles enhance maneuverability
• Versatile power-adjustment knob
• Sturdy metal impeller

Cons

• Weak blowing performance
• Cumbersome to alternate between functions

Why You Should Trust Us

Our editors and testers on the Product Testing Team have years of experience in the commerce space. Many of us are also homeowners or renters with yards of our own to keep clean. We’ve tested dozens of leaf blowers and leaf vacuums including the best backpack leaf blowers and cordless leaf blowers in order to help you make informed decisions before you buy.

FAQ

How does Toro Blower Vac work?

The Toro Ultra Blower Vac pushes out air at a speed of 260 miles per hour (MPH) in order to blow leaves and other debris away from your house, garden and driveway. In vacuum mode, it sucks leaves and other debris in through the main tube. It then finely mulches leaves through a sturdy metal impeller and deposits them into the attached bag. When you’re finished, simply empty the mulched leaves into a disposable bag or compost pile.

How do you turn the Toro Ultra Blower Vac into a blower?

Once assembled, the Toro Ultra Blower Vac is a blower by default. It has a fan inlet cover which is held in place by a quick-release latch. This cover must be attached or detached in order to switch between blower and vacuum functions.

What Other Reviewers Had to Say

The Toro Ultra Blower Vac has over 5,650 five-star ratings on Amazon. Here’s what real users have to say about it.

After six months of use, five-star reviewer Gabriel’s Dad calls the Toro Ultra Blower Vac a must have for yard work. “I used this in the fall to vacuum up and disintegrate the leaves that were all over my yard. This thing did it wonderfully,” he raves. “A big pile of leaves piled about 3 feet tall was reduced to a dense pile of pieces that barely came halfway up one of those paper lawn yard-waste bags. Amazing.”

Another Amazon customer and verified purchaser calls this an amazing tool. “As a leaf vacuum and mulcher, it’s a huge time saver. We have two large trees in our front yard and we usually spend six man hours raking and packing leaves every fall. I also run the mower at different times during the fall to mulch smaller leaf drops. I did the whole yard by myself in about three hours, and collected some 400 lbs of leaves,” they write. “The bag looks like it could get heavy, but by the time it’s full, it’s rarely more than 10 or 15 lbs. The leaves are chopped up pretty well.”

And five-star reviewer Lar P swears that in their 60-plus years, this Toro Ultra Blower Vac is the best they’ve ever had. “This thing moves leavesand here is a big tip with this Toro, dont impede the speed with any of the end nozzlesjust let this thing blow unabated, and do the work for you,” they write.

Product Comparison

Our Product Testing Team tested a total of six blower vacuum combos, including the Toro Ultra Blower Vac. They crowned this unit the best budget option for its affordability, maneuverability and performance. Other corded styles we tested were double the price of the Toro. Of course, you could opt for a gas-powered leaf blower or heavy-duty machine like the Billy Goat Leaf Vacuum, but expect to pay upwards of $200.

Final Verdict

The Toro Ultra Blower Vac offers a fast and inexpensive way to keep your yard free of leaves and other debris. This versatile blower vac is lightweight, easy to maneuver and gets the job done. But most importantly, it saves a ton of time, leaving you free to enjoy your days off however you please.

Where to Buy the Toro Ultra Blower Vac

According to the manufacturer’s website, the Toro Ultra Blower Vac retails for $80, though we’ve found it closer to $100 across stores. It’s currently available at Walmart, Ace Hardware, Lowe’s and Amazon.

VIA MERCHANT

$121.23 at Walmart

$129.99 at Ace Hardware

$99.98 at Lowe's

$119.99 at Amazon

we tried it

Toro Ultra Leaf Blower Vac

Affordability, performance and ease of use make the Toro Ultra Blower Vac a worthy addition to your tool collection.

$121.23 at Walmart

$129.99 at Ace Hardware

$99.98 at Lowe's

$119.99 at Amazon

The post The Toro Ultra Blower Vac Is the Budget-Friendly Tool to Keep Your Yard Clean All Season appeared first on Family Handyman.

Holly

Prized for their shiny, evergreen leaves and red berries, holly bushes are a low-maintenance addition to your garden. Fall is a great time to plant hollies. The cool, seasonal temperatures, followed by months of winter, give them a chance to establish strong roots before facing the heat of summer.

Plan to plant hollies at least six weeks before the first frost to avoid killing new transplants. If wind exposure will be an issue, consider wrapping hollies in burlap to protect them from harsh winter conditions.

The post 8 Outdoor Plants to Get Ready for the Fall appeared first on Family Handyman.

Amanda Capritto for Family Handyman

Shop on Altra Running

$149.95 at Backcountry.com

$129.28 at Zappos.com

From the sandy scrub forests of South Florida to the desert terrain of New Mexico to the 14,000-foot peaks in Colorado, my Altra Lone Peak hiking boots have successfully taken me everywhere I’ve wanted to goand I plan for them to continue taking me places until I bust a hole through the toe box. (Which, at more than 200 miles, hasn’t happened yet.)

The Altra Lone Peak hikers are wildly flexible, capable of moving with your foot through the entirety of each stride, from toe-off to foot strike. When I’m in my Altra hiking boots, it’s as if I can almost feel the earth beneath my feet; as if I’m hiking barefoot. This checks out, as the Altra Lone Peak hikers are zero-drop hiking boots with an ultra-wide footbed that allows for maximum toe splay.

As much as I love them, I must point out that they aren’t for everyone. If you’ve never worn zero-drop shoes before, it would be a bad idea to buy these and take them out for a hike right away. Individuals accustomed to more cushioned shoes with a substantial heel-to-toe drop should take their time adjusting to the zero-drop style to avoid pain and discomfort.

That said, if you’re anything like me, once you get used to these boots, you’ll never go back. They drain exceptionally well thanks to the breathable construction (I can’t speak for the waterproof version, because I don’t own them); the deep outsole lugs grip slippery terrain like shale and slate; and the extended heel clip provides extra stability with each foot strike.

As these boots are some of the best hiking gear, you can read more about the specifications, pros and cons of the Altra Lone Peak hikers in my full Altra Lone Peak hiking boot review.

The post The Best Hiking Gear, According to a Hiking Enthusiast and Coach appeared first on Family Handyman.