Off Grid Alternatives for Common Yard and Garden Machines (QTT #5)

Looking for ways to save money on gardening machines? These manual alternatives are my favorites to get the jobs around the homestead done. These are quieter, better for the environment, cheaper to buy and maintain, smaller to store, healthier for us some are even fun to use! Many will also last longer then the machine type, so these can be a really good way to simplify your life.
Feel free to embed and link these videos on your blog or website, when you do please credit frugalgreengirl. Thank You.

[@lesliehitt]

Great tips! Thanks for another very helpful video, frugalgreengirl!

[@bodryn]

When I was a kid, most people used mowers like that. I had to mow my Grandma's lawn with her reel mower. I remember being 9 years old when I had that duty after arthritis made her too lame to do it. It was easy to push and since I'd never used a power mower, I liked it just fine. But there were certain kinds of grass stalks that didn't want to be cut so somebody might have to follow up with a scissors or something. I do like the sound of those old mowers. Kinda peaceful sounding.

[@CraigOverend]

Yay for quiet tools! When I was a child visiting my grandparents I loved mowing the lawn with the push mower and then getting to use the wooden hockey sticks on my brothers shins, I mean green. That swing blade would have been dangerous in our hands though. :)

[@michelleconnelly9333]

Love the tools and I have them too. ACE has those items in their catalog and I bought them at their store. Great video!

[@helpfulnatural]

We bought a cordless, battery operated walk behind mower last year and I love it! It's much quieter than the gas powered models and much cleaner for the environment.

[@josh40321]

Hx

[@heavymechanic2]

helpfulnatural Nice, electric stuff is great if the battery holds up. Most rechargeable batteries are nickle based and expensive to replace.

[@wildchookMaryP]

I agree with your choice of garden tools but I will keep the gas mower LOL Great video shared!

[@SuburbanSelfReliance]

As always great tips! The pole trimmer I have the same one at home. I have had to re-string mine because the original rope did not hold up to the challenge to the harsh spring we have had in CO recently. Lots of dead branches/trees in my yard!

[@BrownEyes71]

It's called a sling blade not a weed wacker. We use to have one when I was growing up! Love you videos!!!

[@jksatte]

I want to have the human powered tools. They are great back ups if nothing else. However if you have a huge garden and yard it's something to consider. Those are great suggestions. Janice

[@GardeningWithPuppies]

Nice tips. I've been thinking of getting a swing blade as I am not able to use a regular weed eater. It get spasms in my hands from holding it but would probably do ok with a swing blade.

[@wildchookMaryP]

Gardening With Puppies Me too Paula,, am liking that tool.

[@Begining2013]

This is possibly my favourite video of yours. I've never seen some of those hand tools before here in Australia ( 2 sided scythe thingy and the tiller). Off to trawl the Internet for some!

[@frugalgreengirl]

Hi there, glad it was a help to you! I wanted to let you know that since this video was done I have found out the name of that tool. It's called a "swing blade". Knowing the real name of it should make finding one easier, lol. Thanks and good luck friend!

[@heavymechanic2]

Hey frugalgreengirl I'm considering the garden Claw vs some over priced mechanical tiller due to the cost. Normally I use a shovel and its a good workout LOL!.. About these modern tools: Big Business makes this stuff real cheap knowing it won't last past the warranty. Its just a ploy to get your money by making people too lazy to do any real work.. Old-School tools are made to last and work great!

[@rosemay2000]

Can you do a video showing how you sharpen your tools? I have a few of these but Im not so great at sharpening them. The reel lawnmower is my fav. So easy to use.

[@joealvardo3618]

i guess you got me on that one.

[@constancelovejoy7308]

I've tried all these options. They are fine if you have very small jobs to do. Like 5 minutes of work. For normal jobs, I recommend cordless tools. It's easier and gives you a life. It's also not that obtrusive noise-wise on your neighbors. In fact, it invokes jealousy. They don't understand how you can have a professional look without the gas powered tools. The hand tools just don't give that professional a look. And they hurt your hands after a while.

[@ModernPioneers]

MAKE SURE YOU WEAR close toe SHOES! YIKES! some of those are dangerous although I'm sure they function well.

[@a4000t]

we call the tool with the 2 sided blade a Swing Blade but not sure if its the official name. a scythe is a different tool.

[@tblbaby]

a4000t scythe is what the grimm hoodie dude uses, I've got one and 2 whackers. I've got a lot of hand tools. They take up more space than power stuff should because I've got redundancy to a stupid level (cause good deals & low self control) & I have the power stuff too. I hate all of it usually.

[@joealvardo3618]

yes it is recyclable in to more plastic. the amount of energy it takes to recycle a petroleum product leaves a huge foot print. just saying.

[@frugalgreengirl]

pink floyd So how does my picking it off the side of the road impact the environment exactly? I can see your point if I bought it new because that increases demand to make more but second hand items do not increase demand for more of an item to be made. Again, nice try

[@joealvardo3618]

how green is that big plastic play house behind you. that thing will be around about a million years.

[@frugalgreengirl]

First, I got it second hand for free. Second, its recyclable. But nice try

[@Dstuff44Duval904]

Those string trimmers are the devil. I've owned one of every brand on the market, and the only one worth a hoot is the commercial ECHO brand weed eater, and they aren't cheap. ALL of the other brands are poorly constructed with cheap parts. Stick to greener methods of removing those pesky weeds. It will keep more green in your yard and in your wallet.

[@josh40321]

Hcvcfc