Gifts for Lawn Lovers: 8 Yard Tools They'll Actually Use

The best gifts for a lawn lover are tools for the jobs they do every season: a broadcast spreader for seed and fertilizer, a dethatcher for a spongy lawn, a leveling rake for bumps and topdressing, a leaf mulcher for fall cleanup and a dump cart for hauling. Pick the job they complain about most, and the gift will get used.

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Gifts for lawn lovers (#ad)

EarthWay 2600A-PLUS Broadcast Spreader — a 40 lb hopper on pneumatic tires with a 3-hole drop shut-off, per the maker. Built for big lawns. See it on Amazon

Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard DLX Spreader — comes pre-calibrated with no assembly and holds product for up to 15,000 sq ft. The EdgeGuard shield keeps granules off driveways and beds, per the maker. See it on Amazon

Sun Joe AJ801E Electric Dethatcher and Scarifier — a 12-amp corded dethatcher with 5 depth settings, spring steel tines and an 8-gallon collection bag, per the maker. See it on Amazon

Rocklin 30 in Lawn Leveling Rake — a 304 stainless steel plate on a 78 in handle for spreading topsoil or sand into low spots after aerating, per the maker. See it on Amazon

WORX 20V 2-in-1 String Trimmer and Edger, WG163 — switches from trimmer to edger, with a head that tilts 90 degrees and wheels that guide straight edges, per the maker. See it on Amazon

WORX WG430 Leaf Mulcher — the maker says it shreds up to 53 gallons of leaves a minute and turns 11 bags of leaves into 1. See it on Amazon

Gorilla Carts 4 Cu Ft Poly Dump Cart — rated for 600 lb by the maker, with a quick-release dump bed and a poly tub that won't rust. See it on Amazon

VIVOSUN 43 Gallon Tumbling Composter — two chambers, so one batch finishes while the other fills, and a barrel you turn instead of forking the pile, per the maker. See it on Amazon

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Match the gift to their lawn

Feeds and seeds every spring and fall — a broadcast spreader. The EarthWay suits big lawns; the Scotts EdgeGuard DLX suits yards with beds and a driveway.

Spongy lawn that dries out fast — a dethatcher, if the thatch layer is thicker than 1/2 inch.

Bumpy lawn or low spots — a leveling rake and a few bags of topsoil or sand.

Buried in fall leaves — a leaf mulcher. Shredded leaves make free mulch: see how to turn fall leaves into free mulch.

Always hauling mulch or soil — a dump cart, plus our free mulch calculator to know how many bags or yards to haul.

When they'll use each tool

Dethatcher: University of Minnesota Extension says thatch over 1/2 inch needs managing, and that late August to early October is the best time in Minnesota, when grass grows fast and few weed seeds sprout.

Spreader: every feeding and seeding, and for ice melt in winter.

Leveling rake: after core aerating, or with spring topdressing.

Leaf mulcher: every fall, with the shredded leaves going right back on beds.

Lawn gift FAQ

What do you get someone who loves their lawn? A tool for a job they do every season: a broadcast spreader, a dethatcher, a leveling rake or a leaf mulcher.

Is a dethatcher a good gift? Yes, if their lawn has more than 1/2 inch of thatch. University of Minnesota Extension suggests cutting a small wedge about 2 inches deep to measure it.

What is the difference between a dethatcher and an aerator? A dethatcher's tines pull up the thatch layer; a core aerator pulls plugs of soil. UMN Extension suggests aerating first when thatch is severe.

Which spreader should I buy? For large lawns, a big hopper means fewer refills. For smaller yards with beds and a driveway, an edge shield keeps granules where they belong.

Sources: University of Minnesota Extension, How to control thatch in your lawn.