Investing in gardening equipment can be costly. Whether it’s time to replace your old tools or you’re a first-time buyer looking to get your garden in shape, it is important to make the most out of your budget and invest wisely.

It’s also worth remembering that ‘you get what you pay for’, so while everyone loves a good bargain, don’t be tempted into buying cheap garden tools that won’t last.

It can be better to pay the price up front and invest in higher-quality tools that will last longer rather than having to replace the cheaper options within a few years.

Benefits of investing

Time savings: Machinery such as lawnmowers, trimmers, and tillers can significantly reduce the time and effort required for gardening tasks. Tools that are battery or motor-powered instead of hand-held cutters or shears are a lot more efficient as less manual labour is required.

Long-term investment: While there is an initial investment involved, high-quality garden machinery can save money in the long run by reducing the need for hiring professional services, minimising waste, and increasing productivity.

Many garden machines are versatile and can perform multiple tasks, providing value for money and flexibility in your gardening endeavours.

Convenience: You don’t need endless products to get the gardening done – having the right machinery on hand can make it more enjoyable and convenient, allowing you to focus on the aspects you enjoy most.

Financial planning for garden machinery

First, set out a budget for your garden equipment. If you have a limited budget and a small garden to maintain, only purchase the essential tools and equipment. There is no point in spending money if you don’t need to. Have a look for second-hand machinery as a number of dealers sell used items, along with online market places such as farmersmarket.ie.

Before purchasing a lawnmower or a larger piece of equipment, calculate the cost of the item and how much you can afford to save every week. This will give you a timeline or goal to work towards.

Think about investing wisely – do you actually need to buy the piece of equipment? How much use are you going to get out of it? What is the warranty or lifespan of the tool?

Hyundai 52cc Petrol Garden Multi Tool, €249.

Multi-tools

If you have the essentials and are looking to expand your gardening equipment, consider investing in multi-tools.

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A garden multi-tool allows you to switch between tools without having to stop and change equipment, this will make it easy to tackle a variety of tasks. It is also a way to make considerable savings as you could have a variety of tools that function off the same battery.

Draper Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set, €46.95.

How much money should you be investing?

You can start small with the Draper Stainless Steel Garden Tool Set, €46.95, which includes a range of hand tools and a pair of gardening gloves.

For the more advanced, the Hyundai 52cc Petrol Garden Multi Tool, €249 includes a hedge trimmer, pole saw, brushcutter, grass trimmer and long reach extension shaft. If you want to make a bigger investment, the Sealy 6 X 20V SV20 series garden maintenance combo kit is €739.95.

Sealy 6 X 20V SV20 series garden maintenance combo kit, €739.95.

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Where to make savings

If we do a cost comparison on a tool bundle currently on the market, you can save €651.71 from purchasing these items as part of a package bundle instead of buying them individually. It is important to shop around for the best priced items as different shops and websites will have the same tools at various prices.

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