Carry on Gardening : Tools : Mowing

It is possible to design a lawn so that cutting the edges is reduced to a minimum - see lawn design. However it is likely that your lawn will need some tidying up around the edges. The following tools have features that may make the task easier

Lawn shears
These tools are rapidly being superseded by trimmers and their unpopularity is largely due to the fact that most of them are too heavy and too short for the average person. This leads to back and neck strain from stooping. To combat this, choose carefully, as there are models that are lighter and longer.

Long-handled lightweight lawn shears
These extra long shears have lightweight aluminum handles with cushioning rubber grips to combat the effect of jarring. Blade adjustment is by a self-locking wing nut.

Light Telescopic Lawn Shears
These very light shears have easily adjustable handles to extend them to suit taller users. It is even possible to adjust
each handle to a different length to suit your needs if you have a problem
with one of your arms or shoulder.

Length	610-1016mm
Weight	1.2kg
Price	£25
Supplier	Darlac Products
Model no	DP811

Also Edging shears

Length	610-1016mm
Weight	1.2kg
Price	£25
Supplier	Darlac Products
Model no	DP812

Especially good for people with upper limb weakness, people who have
difficulty bending.

Geared Telescopic Edging Shears

New for 2004 these quality shears have easily adjustable handles to make
them the longest handled tool of this type. When folded down to the smallest size they are suitable for wheelchair users and also much easier to carry. These shears also feature a geared mechanism that provides power to the top blade and prevents the bottom blade from moving and digging into the garden.

Length	610-1130mm
Weight	1.5kg
Price	£39.99
Supplier	Spear and Jackson
Model no	Proactive edging shears, 4870AC

shears used from a wheelchair

A handy device that uses magnets to attach to your lawn edging shears to collect the cut grass. When the plastic collector is full simply empty out and start again. The device can save time but also does away with the need to bend or use other tools to collect the trimmings.

Electric grass trimmers
For small lawns, overgrown lawns and areas of long grass next to walls and around trees an electric grass trimmer is a very useful tool. Most are powered by mains electricity and cut with a nylon cord.

Lightest auto-feed trimmer
The good feature of this model is its lightweight, and easy on/off button. However the small wrist support may cause discomfort to some users. Unlike most of the cheaper trimmers this has a nylon cord cartridge which feeds out some line automatically every time it is started. These cartridges can be difficult to replace if you have a weak grip, poor co-ordination or arthritis.

Grass trimmer
By turning the handle around on the Revolution electric grass trimmer you will be able to cut the vertical edges of your lawn without too much bother. As with many electric grass trimmers the safety catch on this model requires two hands and some dexterity.

This lightweight trimmer is safe and easy to use thanks to its ergonomic design and plastic safety blades. The long battery slides into the handle which also has a built in arm support. The grass is cut by two small plastic blades that are easily replaceable and just clip into place. The head of the tool rotates to enable you to cut edges as well as flat grassy surfaces.

To operate the trimmer a small safety switch must be pushed in before pressing the trigger. This may be difficult for people with arthritis who have reduced dexterity. The small size of the trimmer means that the user is most likely to be kneeling or bending close to the ground and the use of safety glasses is strongly recommended to avoid dust and particles entering your eyes.

Overall this is a well balanced tool that makes a powered alternative to single handed shears.

Suitable for, people with reduced upper body strength, but who can bend or sit to work. The trimmer is designed to be used one handed.

Simple lightweight grass trimmer
This simple fixed head grass trimmer is light, powerful and comfortable to use thanks to its long shaft and two handles.

The nylon spool is simple and relatively easy to replace. This tool is ideal for flat surfaces but not for vertical edges.

Suitable for, people who have difficulty bending or cannot carry or use heavy tools

This electric grass trimmer has a powerful battery so you have no cable to fall over or cut. The head of the trimmer can be rotated to cut flat or vertical surfaces like lawn edges. The handle is telescopic so can be used comfortably by people of different heights. When closed down it is small enough to be carried and used by a person in a wheelchair (strong arms required).

This trimmer also uses small plastic blades instead of nylon line. Spare blades are stored in the handle and are very easy to fit.

Especially good for people who have limited dexterity, people of different heights and some wheelchair users.

Long-handled lawn edger
Whilst a spade or backwards facing dutch hoe can be used to create an edge it is much easier to use a tool designed for the job.

Also known as a lawn knife and edging iron this tool is useful for cutting sharp clean edges to your lawn. Some versions however are too short for comfortable use and others do not have proper treads to place your foot on. The following model is also stainless steel to reduce soil adhesion.

This electric grass trimmer has a fully adjustable roller, to enable you to maintain an even cutting height and easy movement. The roller can be rotated to enable vertical or horizontal cutting of lawns and edges. The adjustable auxiliary handle gives more control and can reduce back strain. The shaft of the handle is also telescopic so that this tool can suit gardeners of a wide range in height. For small areas of rough lawn or meadow this tool could even be an alternative to a mower as it is powerful and cuts quickly.

Especially good for people with upper limb weakness, problems bending, people who use one arm and wheelchair users.

Cable-Mate
Another safety harness for the safe use of mowers, trimmers and hedge-trimmers.

Especially good for people who use one arm and people with visual impairment.