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Even as leaves change color, autumn is the perfect time to get outside and plant a tree and upgrade your landscaping. “Fall is a fantastic time to get your hands dirty and make a real difference in your backyard,” says Kris Kiser, president and CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, which advocates for the care and use of yards, parks, and other green spaces.
Cooler temperatures and increased rainfall during autumn create the perfect conditions for roots to grow and get established before the ground freezes, which allows the tree to focus its energy on building a strong foundation for next spring and summer. “Planting a tree this autumn gives its roots a head start, ensuring it can survive the winter and thrive in the spring,” explains Kiser. “And those trees will work hard for you all year long.”
To plant a tree correctly, you’ll need to use certain equipment, from a shovel to tree stakes. Here’s a list to get you started so you can enjoy trees in your yard for many years to come.
Tree-Planting Shovel
Photo: Amazon
Tree-planting shovels, or drain spades, are specifically made for digging deep holes of various sizes for planting trees. The Spear Head Spade gardening shovel is designed to address packed soil, rocks, and tough roots. Its unique spearhead-shaped blade is made of hardened manganese steel and features a wide step and sharp edge, allowing it to find its way naturally to the path of least resistance and slice cleanly through roots. The open-back socket is reinforced with a steel collet and rubber gasket to boost strength and reduce shock. Finally, the straight fiberglass handle has two padded nonslip grips for superior comfort and control.
What our tester says: “It easily cut through the thick main root coming off a parent oakleaf hydrangea yet allowed us to keep the root ball intact for easy relocation to a new site. This model’s compact, efficiently designed head and comfortable grips also make this a good choice for those with impaired strength and mobility.”
Pick Axe
Photo: Amazon.com
The Hooyman Pick Mattock features a nice combination of strength and ergonomics. The head spans 21 inches, providing ample leverage for prying up roots as well as power for breaking through rocky dirt. The handle is epoxy sealed into the head to ensure it stays in place, and the head consists of high-strength forged steel that resists chipping. An ergonomic fiberglass handle reduces the weight of the pickaxe while effectively absorbing shock. Finally, a rubberized grip that extends halfway up the handle helps the user get a firm hold on the pickaxe.
Garden Fork
Photo: Amazon
If you are planting a tree in soil with high clay content, you may face glazing. This means there are smooth sides and base of the planting hole that can prevent tree roots from absorbing water and growing into the surrounding ground. Use a garden fork to scratch a few inches deep into the soil and break up any glazing. The Tabor Tools Digging Fork is an extremely durable garden tool. It features extra-strong tines that are flat across the front and rounded at the back to work efficiently in both compacted and loose soils. Its large head makes it easy to scoop up heavy loads of soil and debris. Also, the flat-faced tines effectively loosen and pick out midsize rocks from the soil.
What our tester says: “I found the Tabor Tools fork to be an awesome digger, and the soil condition didn’t seem to matter. It was strong enough to grind through dry, compacted clay, and wet, sticky soil really didn’t stick to the tines that badly.”
Tape Measure
Stanley 25-Foot PowerLock Tape Measure
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Photo: Amazon
A tape measure comes in handy when you are measuring out where to plant the tree and determining the size hole you will need. The Stanley 25-Foot PowerLock Tape Measure is one of the most dependable and accurate tape measures available. It features a stainless steel case with a strong blade lock that holds firmly without slipping. The durable metal extends to nearly 10 feet before bending, which is impressive compared to thinner blades that bend at 5 feet or less. The PowerLock has a 3-rivet-reinforced tang for accurate measuring and features measurements in ⅙-inch increments.
What our tester says: “This tape is highly accurate and durable, and since it has a clip for easy carrying on a pocket or belt, it’s a tape measure we find ourselves relying on time and time again.”
Gardening Gloves
Amazing Stuff For You! Garden Gloves
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Photo: amazon.com
You’ll want to wear gardening gloves to protect your hands when planting a tree. Amazing Stuff For You! Garden Gloves, Super Grippy are the best gloves for planting, according to our reviews. Made from a thin nylon mesh fiber with nitrile coating, these soft fabric gloves provide flexibility to grasp tender seedlings yet are strong enough to hold and plant large root balls. The coating is also water-resistant, which is beneficial when planting. Fortunately, the no-slip grip is just as effective in wet and muddy conditions as when the gloves are dry. These gloves are durable, comfortable, and machine washable.
What our tester says: “They fit well around the wrist and hand and come with just a bit of extra length that would make them well suited to anyone with longer fingers. These garden gloves also feature a woven nylon shell that helps to keep dirt and bugs out while adding breathability and dexterity. After wearing them for 30 minutes, our hands weren’t sweaty or hot.”
Garden Cart
Gorilla Carts 4 cu. ft. Poly Garden Dump Cart
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Photo: amazon.com
Trees are very heavy, so you’ll want a sturdy garden cart to help move them around your yard to find the perfect spot to plant them. The Gorilla Carts garden cart is an all-around top performer with a maximum load capacity of 600 pounds. It is made of durable polyethylene bed that won’t rust, and is also designed not to crack or warp. It also has 10-inch pneumatic rubber tires that roll smoothly over rough ground and a padded handle grip that provides comfort and improved control while pulling.
What our tester says: “We were happily surprised by how easy it was to assemble this Gorilla cart. Start to finish, the process took about 15 minutes and only required a few basic tools, including a Phillips screwdriver, pliers, and an adjustable wrench. This gardening wagon can carry quite a bit, and we appreciate that its rust-proof bed can withstand accidental sprays from the hose or a quick afternoon storm. This is an overall excellent light- to mid-duty option.”
Utility Knife
Stanley 99E Classic Utility Knife
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Photo: Amazon
A utility knife will come in handy when it’s time to remove the tree from its container or the burlap, string, wire, or twine wrapped around it. The Stanley 99E Classic Retractable Blade Utility Knife is an affordable 2-pack that comes with 6 extra blades. Each knife is 6 inches long, retractable, and features in-handle blade storage. This model offers three blade positions, allowing users to choose how far out they’d like the blade to extend.
Mulch
Miracle-Gro Organic All Natural Mulch
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Photo: Amazon
To top it off, you’ll need to backfill the hole and spread 2 inches of bark or wood chip mulch around the area to help retain water and control weeds. Miracle-Gro Organic All-Natural Mulch is the top choice for landscape mulching. It beautifies garden beds with its rich, dark appearance and fosters healthier soil as it breaks down over time. The mulch also retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and prevents soil erosion.
Metal Stakes
FCENDS Heavy Duty Steel Tree Stake Kit
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Photo: Amazon
While many new trees can grow on their own, some may need stakes to help anchor and support them so they can grow straight as they become stronger and more established. The FCENDS Heavy Duty Steel Tree Stake Kit includes 3 tree strap ties for staking, 3 steel tree stakes, and a 31.2 feet length rope for anchoring. The heavy-duty stakes are constructed of premium metal. These tree stake kits can also be used for gardening and supporting plants.
Soaker Hose
Water Right 700 Series Soaker Garden Hose
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Photo: amazon.com
Once the tree is planted, it will need to be watered at least once a week during the first growing season. A soaker hose is the best option to deliver water to the roots since water from a garden hose often runs off before it can penetrate deep enough into the ground. The Water Right Soaker Garden Hose is made of a smooth, flexible FDA-grade polyurethane material that makes it easy to maneuver and wind around vegetation without kinking. The high-quality brass fittings are lead-free and don’t leak. The soaker holes are evenly spaced, about ¼ inch apart, providing uniform water distribution.
What our tester says: “When I turned the water on, this hose oozed droplets evenly. I checked the entire hose to see if any holes were plugged or gushing water. Nope. Along the entire length of the hose, the water seeped out uniformly.”
All You Need to Care for Your Lawn & Garden
Keeping your grass green and your plants thriving doesn’t just take a green thumb—it starts with the right tools and supplies.
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