When landscaping, there are jobs that need to be done with varying frequency. Mowing is probably the job needing to be done most often--on average, once a week--while jobs like fertilizing and applying insecticides are done on a monthly basis. More rigorous jobs like pruning trees or dividing bulb plants are done once a year.

Having the Right Tools for the Job

Since mowing is the most frequent job in lawn care, you should make sure that you have a reliable lawn mower. Modern lawn mowers make the job relatively low-stress, and maintaining a large lawn no longer takes the time and labor it once did. Of all landscaping tools, you will be using your lawn mower the most, so it should be your primary investment. Any accessories that may improve the mower's utility, or add to your safety while using it, are also wise choices.

After a mower, you should look into buying a sprayer. Unless you are a remarkably lucky gardener, you will at some point have plants in need of fertilizer or other treatment. The easiest and most effective way to apply these is through a sprayer--either a hose end sprayer or a portable pressurized sprayer. While insecticides and fertilizers can usually be applied via the same sprayer, always keep a separate device for any weed killers you may use.

Lastly, yearly tools should be bought sparingly. Most people hire professional landscapers to come do their pruning, and have no real need to buy their own set of pruners and loppers. These are useful to have around, but by no means necessary, so make sure you have the essentials, such as a lawn mower and the appropriate accessories, first.