It used to be that cordless drills were underpowered and heavy, but with lithium batteries standard now they are a great way to remove the hassle and hard work from a range of home improvement jobs. There are so many different products out there with many slightly changed models coming out all the time that the choice can be overwhelming. Which is the best? And what’s a good value price point?

If you are scouring the Internet looking for the perfect drill, you will find various articles reviewing cordless drills, most of them are focused on American or UK consumers. Fortunately for you, we’ve done all the hard work and have compiled a list of some of the best cordless drill products that you can purchase here in Australia.

We have listed products that come with the batteries included, however many are compatible with the batteries used for other products from the same manufacturer and there are tool-only purchase options. If you have compatible batteries already that should be a factor you consider to save money as a lot of the cost is the batteries.

After we list our top eight cordless models we also list a bonus couple of corded options too.

All of these products both drill holes and drive screws, so the common name for name is 'drill drivers', although some of them also do impact driving.

Drill driver vs Impact driver

If you don't know the difference between a drill driver and an impact driver, you can first check out this video:

What is chuck size and what size chuck do I need?

When selecting a drill driver, you will come across the term 'chuck size'. This refers to the maximum shank diameter the chuck will take, the larger your chuck size, the larger shank diameter it will accept. Drill chucks only come in two sizes:

• 10mm (3/8 inch)
• 13mm (1/2 inch)

If you want to drill holes larger than 20mm in diameter or drill into materials such as metal, then you might want to purchase a drill with a 13mm chuck in order to fit larger bits.

Best Overall Cordless Drill - The Bosch PSB 18 LI-2

Bosch has been the winner of the readers Digest most Trusted DIY Power Tools brand in Australia from 2013 through to 2019 so it's not really a surprise the Bosch PSR 18 LI-2 tops our list.

It is a highly powerful premium cordless 2-speed lithium ion cordless drill, perfect for any drilling work or screw driving work. Anyone will love the PSR 18 because of its reliable performance, as well as its excellent weight to power ratio. These things combined give it incredible handling and control.

This type of drill is known as a 'combi' or multifunction drill, because it also features an impact drilling mode.

The charger has been designed so that the drill can be charged while the battery is still connected up. This allows one to save time. The drill also features no self discharge or memory effect. The two 18V 2.5 Ah batteries have a long life span and run for a long time and they take only an hour to charge with the included 3.0 Ah Charger

Like the other drills in Bosch’s modern range, this features the Syneon chip that manages power transfer between the battery pack and the gearbox, delivering power exactly where you need it.

While we feature some 12V models later in this guide that are designed for sustained overhead use, at 1.5KG with the battery in this is still a light option with great 18V power.

Bosch have made it very easy to change between accessories with their keyless chuck which includes autolock. As per many modern drills it is possible to use this product with ease in the dark, thanks to an integrated lamp which uses LEDs.

At nearly $250 this is not the cheapest drill on this list, but being a combi tool you won't need a separate impact driver for most DIY jobs.

With a maximum Torque of 54Nm the Bosch PSB 18 LI-2 can drill up to 35 mm into wood and 13 mm into metal.

Similar option - Bosch PSB 1800 LI-2

The Bosch PSB 1800 LI-2 is very similar to the PSB 18 LI-2. It is still a cordless Hammer Impact Drill and still very competent in regards to impact drilling in metal, wood and masonry. If you take a look at this product, you’ll notice that there are 23 selectable settings for torque adjustment - this allows the optimum power to be used for a wide variety of applications.

The main difference is the lower Maximum Torque of 38Nm, resulting in the Bosch PSB 18 LI-2 being able to drill up to 30 mm into wood and 10 mm into metal.

I couldn't find this product listed online with batteries, but if you have Bosch batteries already you currently pick it up for under $130, check the price on the Bosch PSB 1800 LI-2 without batteries

The Best Brushless Cordless Drill Driver Kit

The STANLEY FATMAXFMC608D2S-XE18V wins the award for the most obscure naming. Jokes aside, this makes use of the latest in brushless motor technology, helping to enhance its performance. The technology means that this particular product can be used for long periods of time, making it fantastic for any kind of long-term work.

It features a 13 mm keyless chuck, as well as two speed transmission. There is a fantastic torque control, with 22 different adjustable positions for consistent screw driving. You can screw into all sorts of varieties of materials, with any number of screw sizes. The product has been designed ergonomically, with a rubber grip for ultimate comfort and usability.

Given this is nearly as expensive as the Bosch PSR 18 LI-2 which has the impact drilling function and is arguably more refined it might not initially seem good value - but what you are paying for is the 13 mm chuck and the brushless motor.

You can purchase this combined with the companion Brushless Impact Driver that uses the same battery system.

The Second Best Brushless Cordless Drill Driver

The WORX WX175 Brushless Drill/Driver is a very close second to the STANLEY above.

Worx have also developed a product which makes use of brushless motor technology. This is tech which improves performance, delivering 50% longer runtime on average. Brushless technology can also provide up to 25% more power with 10 times the amount of motor life time than any other conventional drill.

The WX175 has a heavy duty 13 mm keyless chuck which is made of metal and protected by the safety lock. The clutch can be positioned in over 18 ways, allowing for excellent management of torque.

Why list this and the STANLEY one? Well they are both great products and both around the same price, you should consider either if you already have one or more other power tools that use their batteries and are looking for a model with a brushless motor.

Best Lightweight Cordless Drill (12V)

While a full-size drill-driver will offer more power and higher torque, the attraction to a 12V tool is that you can hold it over your head nearly all day long.

The Bosch 12-Volt Max 3/8-Inch 2-Speed Drill/Driver Kit PS31-2A performs very well overall when you look at how small it is. It is an incredibly lightweight product, weighing in at under 1KG. The weight to performance ratio means that this is an ideal tool for any [electrician] https://www.experteasy.com.au/electrician) or handyman with a lot of over the head drilling or screw driving tasks to get on with. It can produce 265 in. Pounds of torque, which is impressive for a unit that is so small and powered only by a 12V battery.

The versatility of this product is remarkable and this is helped by its high torque and speed settings - there are two main settings of 0-0350 RPM and 0-1300 RPM. There are over 20 clutch settings, giving users the ability to make precise adjustments of torque for any accurate screw driving or drilling. The Bosch 12-Volt Max can easily tackle a whole range of materials such as wood, drywall and even some metal.

This is certainly a durable product, it comes with two 12V lithium ion batteries to extend running time. You can expect the drill to be running for a number of hours before it needs a recharge.

We like this product so much we have decided to include this international product on our list (all the others ship from Australia). You can check the current price on amazon.com.au and read a full review here.

Just be aware that as this is an interational product - it will come with a USA plug and therefore you will need an adaptor for the charger.

Lightweight Cordless Drill that ships from Australia

While we do prefer the Bosch as it has professional grade power, if you need something small and easy to use you should also consider the Ryobi 12V Cordless Drill Driver, available at bunnings. it is a little cheaper and absolutely fine for most DIY projects, but simply not as light or the same grade as the Bosch PS31-2A.

The Low Price Branded Drill - Black+Decker BDCDC18-XE18V

The Black+Decker BDCDC18-XE18V drill is highly versatile and a great value tool for any DIY enthusiast.

It is possible to drill both into metal and wood with ease, plus plastic can be tackled too. Everything is lightweight and compact, however, power is never compromised. There are 10 different torque settings allowing for a very flexible nature. It is easy to use this drill at night, because there is an additional LED light which provides sufficient illumination when there is no daylight.

With a maximum Torque of 30Nm, it can drill up to 25 mm into wood, 10 mm into metal and of course it can be used to easily drive screws.

The Cordless Drill and Impact Driver Value Pack

Baumr is a bit better known in Europe and not a completely unknown brand in Australia, they are expanding here and you should be able to find replacement batteries for the Baumr-AG Alpha 200 Series 3-Piece 20V Lithium Combo.

This value pack comes with with a Cordless Drill, Impact Driver, Charger, 2 x Batteries, Torch and a bag for around $180 at the time of writing. Check current price

The lightweight and ergonomic design will help any DIY enthusiast to perform at ease. It features moulded handles with thermoplastic rubber to give a very smooth and easy-going edge. The drill comes with two 20V lithium ion batteries and a charger. The units perform efficiently and you can use them at night because there is an LED work light attached. There is a quick change 10mm keyless chuck.

Other Budjet Options

There are a bunch of relatively unknown brands on amazon offering cheap drills, one of them the CACOOP CCD20001LBB looks a half decent drill and comes with more accessories than the black and decker and unlike most of the unknow brands it actually has some decent reviews, however it is unlikely to last as long as the other options here and with these unknown brands good luck finding a replacement battery when it runs out!

Corded vs Cordless Electric Drills

When it comes to electric drills, carpenters, handymen and other tradies utilise both cordless and corded models. While they both more or less does the same thing, each are best to use for certain reasons. They key difference is power vs convenience, cordless drills are much more convenient for certain work and in places where a power outlet may be tricky to find, while corded drills provide more power. Having one of each type at your disposal gives you the best of both worlds, most professional tradies carry a corded as well as a cordless.

Bonus section - Corded Drills

While the focus of this article is on cordless drills, for the reason above we have decided to include a couple of corded electric drills.

The Great Value Corded Hammer Drill

The WORX WX317 600W 13mm offers 600 W of power, allowing one to easily tackle a wide variety of jobs around the home. It is very easy to change drill bits as there is a 13 mm keyless chuck. This drill features a wide variety of different speed settings, allowing precision and control when needed.

You can find an adjustable side handle, depth stop, as well as both reverse and forward rotation to provide additional control. If you are needing to continuously use the drill, there is a handy lock on switch to turn on continuous operation.

It's not as refined as the Bosch below, but you can't argue with the price.

The Best Multifunction Corded Drill

We really like the Bosch Hammer Impact Drill UniversalImpact 700 because of the very reliable and powerful performance of the motor which delivers around 700 watts of power. With this kind of wattage, it is very easy to complete all sorts of applications such as metal work and concrete.

It has three function modes: screw-driving, drilling and impact drilling, which you can easy and quickly change using the function switch. It also has speed pre-selection and control using setting wheel so you can always gear it precisely for the material you are working with.

It also allows you to easily change bits thanks to the Press + Lock chuck system allowing you to lock the spindle to lock at the touch of a button. . It has been beautifully designed, featuring an adjustable ergonomic handle and an auxiliary handle to provide additional control with a whole lot less fatigue. We think that it is a product that allows you to precisely control drilling with ease.

The verdict on Cordless drills

You should now have the tools at hand (pun intended) to make your choice, as mentioned above, don't rule out a corded option depending on the nature of the work.

Which would I choose if I need to buy from new? I use my tools fairly often so the Bosch PSR 18 LI has the build quality, power and combo functionallity that I would be looking for to be sure that any DIY jobs, big or small would be well within the drill’s capabilities. Alternatively I would go for the STANLEY FATMAX combined with their impact drill.

For a lightweight option for overhead drilling the Bosch PS31-2A is hard to beat for quality.

If you disagree with our research and recommendations or find something new that looks better, please let us know in the comments.

The thing about winter maintenance of your home lies in the fact that it’s a topic that you need to think about before the winter arrives. Once the temperatures start falling below zero, it will become much more difficult to do anything.

Having a major heating system repair or an insulation project mid-winter is a late effort, when tradesmen may be booked out and your property may suffer the consequences. Here are some simple tips to help you prepare.

1. Insulate and seal holes

The first thing you need to keep in mind, comes the winter, is preparing your home to be as energy-efficient as possible. This is important for two major reasons. The first one concerns your budget. You see, the more energy-efficient the place is, the cheaper it is to keep it warm. The second one is the question of lifestyle quality. With poor insulation and holes in your home’s system, you’ll have a hard time reaching certain temperatures, regardless of your heating system. In order to improve on these two major issues, you need to do two things. First, study the ways in which heat leaves your home and insulate these critical points. Second, inspect your home in order to see if there are any cracks in the system.

2. Winterize outdoor plumbing

Another crucial issue that you need to focus on ahead of time is winterizing your outdoor plumbing. If any of the outdoor fixtures are malfunctioning, you should probably examine them or find blocked drain professionals to tend to them. Other than this, you might want to shut off the valve controlling these outdoor fixtures (it’s not like you’re going to take that backyard shower or irrigate your garden during winter). After this, you should let all the water from the plumbing system run out of the pipes and fixtures. By keeping your plumbing system dry, you’re avoiding a scenario in which the water inside them freezes and causes some serious damage.

3. Clean your gutters in time

The third thing you need to keep in mind is the fact that winter is the time of the year where the likelihood of a downpour or snow is substantially larger. Once this snow starts melting, your home’s drainage system will be put to a proper test. Now, in order to get to the drainage (and avoid overflowing your basement/drowning your garden), you need to get your gutters cleaned and keep them well-maintained as part of your general outdoor maintenance.

Ideally, you would clean your gutters twice per year (in spring and autumn). This is just one of the examples of how being proactive can help you out in the long run.

4. Tend to your heating system

Finally, you might want to check the heating system before you actually need to use it. Keep in mind that not all heating systems require the same amount of maintenance. For instance, if you have a wood stove, you might have to clean the chimney, as well as clean the stove itself on a regular basis. With some other systems, merely checking if they’re functional is the way to go.

Any repairs on the heating system are not your average DIY project, which is why they should be entrusted to professionals.

Naturally, this is far from everything there is to do. Come the winter, you might want to defrost your driveway and garden path, as well as clean them regularly to avoid a build up of moss or other slippery residues.

If you’re thinking about buying a new dog or even better, adopting one from a shelter, you’re probably already worried about accommodating your new buddy into your home. A lot of questions pop up waiting for answers and you’ll also need to make a bunch of decisions, like who’s responsible for bathing the dog and who’ll take him for walks every morning. Most of these issues you’ll learn how to figure out along the way; but some other stuff, you need to fix before the new pet comes into your home.

Therefore, in this article, we’ll list some of the best tips that will help you prepare your home for a new dog.

Dog-Proof Your Home

In a way, little dogs are just like babies, so they need lots of care and paying attention. Before adopting the new pet, you need to start thinking about dog-proofing your home. The first stuff that you should take out of the way are harmful objects or ornaments sitting around your house. After that, check out all of the plants that you have around; you don’t want to grow a cactus near a baby dog who’ll be very curious about his new home. Don’t forget to look out for any poisonous food, cleaning products, electric cords or anything else that can harm the puppy.

Dogs Need Their Personal Space

Even though at times it might seem like the little being will take over your entire territory, it’s important for you to remember that a dog should always have a personal space that’s specially designed for him. Before picking the best spot in the house, you need to decide whether your dog will be allowed to wander freely through the entire space or you want to restrict certain areas for him. In case you don’t want to do that, it’s all about how you want to educate your dog. You can always get help from a specialist with that, you could even become a dog trainer yourself and you’ll never have problems with your pet buddy.

Build an Outdoor Shelter

Dogs love being outside, especially when the weather allows them to enjoy themselves to the fullest. Therefore, you also need to make your outdoor space safe for your pet. First off, you’ll need to buy a dog house or even build one yourself. The most important reason why we actually provide these shelters for our dogs, is because they tend to feel temperature the same way that we do. When it’s too cold outside, they need a warm space where they can hide; but when it’s too hot, they need to stay away from the sun. It’s crucial to build the best house for your puppy, especially if you’ll decide to keep him outside at all times when he becomes a full on dog.

The Garden

While the garden will be a space that’ll bring lots of joy for you and your new friend, it is also full of dangers for him. Certain plants, pesticides and even parasites can harm your dog when you’re playing together outside. So what do you need to do? First of all, look out for the types of plants in your garden that can be poisonous for dogs, like daffodils and azaleas.

You'll probably want to remove those althougher, for other plants such as vegetable patches you may want to consider getting garden fencing installed.

Second, if you’ve used special garden chemicals or insecticides and your dog ingests them, that can be very harmful or even fatal. Maybe you should look into organic gardening. Last but not least, your garden is a green space that can host all sorts of parasites like fleas, ticks and worms. The best thing that you can do is to prevent something really bad from happening by taking your dog to the vet and giving him the proper medication to fight these parasites.

Cuddles

While getting a dog brings an incredible amount of joy for anyone, there are lots of people who underestimate the responsibility that you take upon yourself when you bring the little being into your own house. Dogs need lots of love, attention and caring, especially when they’re little puppies. Either way, planning ahead and dog proofing your home before bringing your new buddy in, will take you a long way and will save you a lot of stress and give you more time for cuddles with your new best friend.

In today's world of fast-paced business, side hustles, and slash careers, there's quite a bit of emphasis placed on real-world experiences and embracing new opportunities. That's largely a result of the digitally interconnected world we now inhabit, where borders are nonexistent and barriers fall like dominoes. At the same time, there's still something to be said for embracing the well-trodden path to success that so many people have used for generations to build solid and stable business careers throughout the world.

It's a path that involves careful academic advancement, corporate ladder-climbing, and personal development. The reason that option still exists is simple: it just works. It's still possible to earn a degree and use it to fuel a thriving career – if you choose the right one, that is.

Today, most people look to things like engineering and sciences when it comes time to choose a degree program to pave the way to career and financial success. I'm here to tell you, though, that there's another, much more valuable degree that still offers the best career prospects of the bunch.

Related: Managing Your Workload As A Freelancer

Still haven't guessed what I'm talking about? It's an MBA degree. It's a single degree that unlocks a multitude of high-ceiling career options – and the surest way that you can become the person that all of the engineers and scientists report to, with a salary to match.

Not convinced? I can fix that for you. Here are four reasons you should consider an MBA as your ticket to wealth and success.

It's the One Degree That's Relevant in Every Industry

Despite the fact that many pundits and so-called industry experts now tend to claim that earning an MBA isn't worth the time and expense, it is still the one single degree that can help you land a job in the upper echelons of the industry of your choice. With it, you can be the master of your own destiny, working for the biggest names in accounting, global operations management, marketing, or almost any other field you can think of. Even the tech industry, where the prevailing wisdom holds that anyone with a good idea, great execution and good timing can be the world's next billionaire is still clamouring for the services of MBA degree holders for a very important reason. After all, just because you can dream up the next big thing in tech doesn't mean you can run a business long enough to fill your coffers with cash.

The Check Will Be In the Mail

Another great reason to consider earning an MBA is that it will help you to secure a higher salary compared to your peers. How high, you ask? The data indicates that on average, people who go through the effort required to earn an MBA will be rewarded with a salary that's double what they were earning beforehand. Here in Australia, MBA holders can expect an average salary of $100,000 USD right out of school, which is astounding, given that the degree itself costs less than half of that figure (in most cases). That means you can spend your first year after earning an MBA getting by on your previous salary, and spend the rest on paying off your degree. After that, it's all yours for the duration of your career.

Related: 7 Inexpensive Ways to Market Your Business

You'll Get To Know Those In the Know

One of the biggest and most underappreciated benefits of earning an MBA has nothing whatsoever to do with the skills and knowledge you'll attain through your studies. Instead, it's the fact that you'll gain access to an unrivalled business network of other MBA holders, many of whom hold positions of power throughout the business world. Although I hesitate to trot out the old line that it isn't what you know, but who you know, for MBA holders it's an everyday fact of life. There are a variety of MBA alumni and professional organizations that will provide you with the kind of contacts your peers could only dream about – and it's one of the major reasons why you'll rarely find an MBA holder who's out of work for more than a hot minute.

You'll Have International Appeal

Here in Australia, people from overseas are flocking to MBA programs here for one very important reason. To sum it up, it's location, location, location. Australian business schools have deep and useful connections to the up-and-coming Asian economies. Earning an MBA here will open international doors that would otherwise remain closed to you. With your degree in hand, you can get in on the ground floor of booming industries overseas that are more than happy to pay handsomely for your skills. It allows you to go where the action is, to stake your claim and make your fortune in places where you'll have ample room to grow and carry yourself to the top of your chosen industry.

Become a Business All-Star

The bottom line here is that earning an MBA is still the surest way to career and financial success. Sure, you can keep plugging away at your side-hustle if you want to, but odds are you'll end up experience-rich and cash poor. Even if you harbour dreams of turning that side hustle into a thriving business of your own, don't sleep on an MBA just yet.

Remember that MBA business network I mentioned? Well, plenty of their members hail from venture capital firms and startup incubators, and you'll have a much easier time securing funding for your would-be venture if you had access to them. Of course, you can still make it on your own too – but why take chances? Consider earning an MBA today, and you'll secure your tomorrow.

Article photo:
Graduating students walk to their seats during USC’s Commencement Ceremony at University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California May 15, 2015.
(Credit: MARIO ANZUONI/REUTERS)

Lawn scarification is the process of raking a lawn with the intention of removing thatch. When carried out appropriately it can lead to a healthier, greener lawn.

To scarify efficiently, you’ll need a mechanical lawn scarifier with blades that penetrate the ground and remove the thatch.

While you may feel more comfortable hiring a lawn care service to carry out this work, but in the following guide, we outline how scarification works, its importance, how frequently and how you should go about carrying out lawn scarification.

Following this guide will lead to a lusher, healthier lawn.

What is lawn scarification?

Lawn scarification is an operation that removes thatch from a lawn, and is also known as "dethatching", or "power raking".

What is Thatch?

Thatch is essentially side shoots of grass which normally create a lush, thick lawn, but then die off to make way for new runners. As these grass shoots decompose, they produce a chemical called lignin, which makes the remaining material slow to break down further. This dead grass then becomes intertwined with newer shoots of grass, and this composite is known as thatch.

Why is lawn scarification necessary?

Some thatch is good for lawns – around a few centimetres is good, as it protects the root of the grass while allowing nutrients through to the soil and grass roots. It also acts as a buffer against extreme temperatures and helps to prevent soil compaction. The issue, however, with too much thatch is that it stops air, nutrients, and water from reaching the roots of the lawn, and therefore stops healthy growth and nourishment. It also creates an uneven lawn and the latticework of partially decomposed material encourages disease.

How can you prevent thatch development?

Thatch is often caused by environmental consequences, but it can accumulate excessively when lawns are neglected. Natural factors that cause thatch include soils with a low pH or a high sand content, as they have less microorganisms to decompose thatch. Fertilising a lawn with too much nitrogen causes rapid growth of shoots in thatch, and overwatering prevents decomposition as it hinders microorganism health. Oxygen flow can also be prevented by over-watering or soil compaction, which creates poor conditions for microorganisms.

What happens if there’s too much thatch on your lawn?

Too much thatch – anything over half an inch – will need to be scarified. This is because excessive thatch has four key consequences. Firstly, it prevents drainage which means air and nutrients can’t reach roots. Secondly, thatch can increase the risk of drought damage as grass roots are unable to embed in the soil. Thirdly, grass strains with shorter roots that are disease prone are in favour of preferable longer rooted grass like those on golf courses. Finally, thatch can also lead to further issues like weeds, fungal issues, and moss. By removing this lawn thatch, the roots can receive these nutrients and as a result, grass is healthier and greener.

Do all lawns need scarification?

The simple answer to this is no. In fact, different types of grass produce varying levels of thatch. Grass types like ryegrass produce very little thatch, as it’s durable and therefore low maintenance. If a ryegrass lawn hasn’t been scarified for a several years, however, it will likely require scarification to clear any build up. It also depends on the look you’re trying to achieve for your particular lawn as ryegrass is dark and will therefore have a unique appearance.

How do I know if my lawn needs scarification?

First up, you’ll need to check for the appropriate level of thatch. It’s definitely best not to scarify for the sake of it, as this can create more damage than good. To check for thatch, it’s best to take samples using a hollow tiner. Digging from variable places across your lawn down at least two inches, you will be able to see how much thatch is in the lawn.

What’s the best way to scarify a lawn?

It’s extremely important to be careful and not overdo scarification. Follow the steps below for successful scarifying:

1. Prepare the lawn for scarification. This involves killing any weeds at least three weeks beforehand, and gradually cutting the grass. Around two weeks before you’re due to scarify, take off the top of the grass and then reduce the height slowly every few days or so, until it’s around 5cm in length. A week before, a moss killer should be applied if moss is present, and any moss should be raked up the day before your scarification date.
2. Scarifying the lawn. Scarification should be carried out with one key aim in mind: to minimize lawn damage. Quantity of coverage should be determined by how much thatch there is. It’s recommended that you give it a first go, likely a second, and then reassess.

• First scarification stage: try going along the border of the lawn and cover it in straight lines as you’d mow a lawn. Rake and gather up any grass clippings and thatch.

• Second scarification stage: cover the lawn with the scarifier at a diagonal angle, that’s 45 degrees to the first stage. This will help to prevent excessive lawn damage. Once again, collect any debris from the lawn.

• Third scarification stage: assess the situation of the lawn to see how much thatch is left. If it’s still visible, continue for a third or fourth time, each at a 45 degrees angle to the last stage.

• Final scarification stage: for the last stage, cut a quarter of an inch into the soil using the scarifier’s blades to create a perfect spot for new seed to be sowed.

I also recommend you watch Lawnsmith’s video on how to carry out scarification:

When is the best time of year for lawn scarification?

Lawn scarification can be a laborious process that will likely cause some initial damage to your lawn. The long term benefits do, however, outweigh the initial unsightliness. This is variable dependent on how much thatch there is on the lawn.

If you do not have a heavy thatch layer you should first consider lawn aeration, while both techniques are good for the health of the lawn in the long-term, they both stress the lawn in the short-term, you should generally try and avoid carrying out both techniques in the same season. For maintenance we strongly recommend core aeration as it is less stressful than detaching

Choosing the right time of year during which you scarify can help to promote growth and a speedy recovery. This most often means carrying out the process during warm, wet, and sunny weather, however the scarification itself should always be carried out on a dry day on a dry lawn. Otherwise, you may find wet thatch clogs up your scarifier much quicker, and it’s more difficult to tidy up.

Light scarification
For lawns with a little moss, light scarification or even raking can be carried out to repair your lawn in spring. The height of spring is the perfect time for this as the weather should be warmer but still wet for recovery and growth. Good tools for carrying out this process include an electric rake or a hand scarifier. Spring is the best time for light scarification.

Heavy scarification
This is a risky process, but be can be required for lawns with heavy thatch, high levels of moss, or simply a dry patch. Heavy scarification could be followed by widely spaced lawn aeration, over sowing of seeds, and mild fertilizing for optimal results...essentially replacing half the lawn. Don't attempt it if the area will have high foot traffic in the month after. Autumn is the best time for heavy scarification, carrying out this process in spring could result in many weeds.

When is raking an alternative to scarification?

While scarifying is the best procedure for removing thatch from beneath the lawn surface, raking is best for removing moss. Moss doesn’t lay as deep in the lawn, so can simply be raked by a manual or powered model to pull the moss out of the grass. If there’s both moss and thatch in your lawn, it’s best to rake out the moss before carrying out scarification.

What’s the best equipment for scarifying?

The following tools will help in the scarification process:

• Lawnmower – cutting grass to simplify scarification, and to collect thatch instead of raking it up.
• Moss killer – if there’s an accumulation of moss, place killer down at least a week before scarifying the lawn. The moss will become easier to identify and remove.
• Weed killer – if there are lots of weeds, prepare the lawn by spraying around three weeks before your planned scarification date. Ensure it won’t kill the grass too.
• Scarifier – required for removing the thatch from the lawn, this could be a manual, electric, or petrol scarifier.
• Rake – this will be helpful when gathering up moss and thatch brought to the lawn surface by scarifying.
• Grass seed – this is to outweigh the patchiness of the lawn
• Fertiliser – lawn nutrients are likely to be low and not to have passed into the soil, so a reputable fertilizer will help to restore these.
• Grass seed and fertilizer spreader – if the lawn is particularly large, this will help distribute both evenly, accurately, and quickly.

What’s the best way to use a scarifier?

There are typically two types of lawn scarifier. A manual lawn scarifier is ideal for small lawns, and simplifies the process. A powered scarifier is great for larger lawns, and providing a quicker scarification process.

Using a manual lawn scarifier

The best way to use these is applying a back and forth motion, while adjusting the depth of penetration that the blade makes into the ground. This can be done by tilting the handle, and will reach more thatch as a result. Digging deep is particularly effective for aerating the ground for sowing grass seeds as part of the final step. Do bear in mind this process can be time consuming.

Using a powered lawn scarifier

Powered scarifiers really do speed up the process as you can imagine. It’s easy enough to adjust the height, and simply move across the lawn like you would a lawnmower. You can see just how much easier the process is with a powered scarifier from this video:

However best practice is to first go gentle on the lawn to minimize damage, and very gradually adjust the height on the scarifier. When preparing the lawn for sowing seed, dig into the soil by about a quarter of an inch for sufficient penetration.

What’s the best post-scarification process?

Recovery is key. This is where the time of year is even more important. You can help to speed up the process through the following two processes:

1. Overseeding: to allow for a healthy lawn with good coverage, and to avoid weeds, overseeding is really important. Watch Lawnsmith’s video on how to best carry out overseeding:

2. Fertilising: thatching often happens as a result of lawn malnourishment. The key nutrients required for a healthy lawn are nitrogen (for growing grass and making it green); phosphorus (for encouraging roots to grow and seeds to develop); and potassium (for making grass more durable and fending off disease and drought). Fertilising your lawn after scarification will help new grass grow much quicker. This step is essential after seeding.

What’s the best preventative measure for excessive thatch?

As you can see, excessive thatch takes a long time and a lot of effort to recover from. So preventing the thatch in the first place is the best method. There are several steps you can take:

• Lawn aeration. Frequent lawn aeration encourages microorganisms which can break down decomposed grass to prevent thatch. This is the best way to prevent thatch in the long term, it will improve your soil so it is aerated and bioactive enough to get the thatch to decompose. Aim to aerate areas of high traffic and lawns with heavy clay soil every year or two, other areas will benefit from an aeration roughly every five years.
• Scarification. Regular raking and light scarification when required can ensure any thatch is removed before greater problems occur and heavy scarification is needed.
• Measured use of fertilization. Providing all the nutrients required for a healthy lawn, while avoiding fertilisers with excessive nitrogen. Note that over-use of fertilizers will cause thatch the influx of nutrients will cause your grass to initially grow very quickly, this risks the structure of the grass blades growing much faster than the root system. This can create problems hydrating and supplying future nutrients to the grass because a plant can only absorb as much water and minerals as its roots allow.
• Not watering too frequently. Lawns can cope with short periods of drought, so be sure not to water too often to enable long rooted grass to grow, when you do water your lawn, water it deeply.

So there you go – your ultimate guide to lawn scarification. Good luck, and here’s to a healthier, greener lawn!

Both gardeners and landscapers can beautify your garden, gardening and landscaping are closely related and of course, there will always be some cross-over, but at the same time there are important differences between the two professions.

Landscapers sometimes describe gardeners as 'plantsmen' because a gardener is focused on the health and well being of plants. Landscapers are typically involved in outdoor building work such as driveways, patios, walls and similar work known as 'hardscaping’.

An important difference between a landscaper and a gardener is the scope of work they are qualified to carry out. Landscapers normally need one or more specific trade licences. They might need a builder's licence to construct a gazebo or patio or they may need a paving or concreting licence to do ‘hardscaping’ work. Landscapers may also need to use heavy equipment. Having said this, some gardening partnerships or larger firms will have the skills and equipment to offer both gardening and landscaping services.

Should I Choose a Gardener or a Landscaper?

• If you are looking to have your garden maintained or brought back to life through a horticultural sense, and focusing on plant life, then a gardener is the way to go.
• If you want to have your garden completely designed or redesigned, or have a major new feature installed then a landscaping professional is what you need, or even a dedicated landscape designer for the design and a landscaper to do the construction.

Similarities

• Both will have the ability to put together plants and other features to create a desired garden.
• Both landscapers and gardeners will have some knowledge about horticulture, such as lifespans of plants and which plants work better in some seasons compared to others.
• A gardener will likely be happy to offer some 'softscaping’ such as fence repairs, applying decorative gravel and mulch.

What does a landscaper do?

Landscapers construct a garden for you, where there wasn’t a garden before. From the design of your project to the construction, they do everything for you. They put together plants, flowers and flora and combine it with landscaping constructions, such as pavements, decks, pergolas and water features like ponds and waterfalls. They design a complete garden all for you, based around your requirements and budget.

There are two landscaping types:

1. A landscape designer / architect designs a landscape
2. A landscaper or 'landscape builder' does the physical work of creating a landscape.

Landscape designers can also be landscape builders or can have landscaping teams that either work for them or that they have close working partnerships with. Many landscape designers supervise landscaping projects.

What does a gardener do?

Gardeners on the other hand, are more well versed in the plants and horticulture life, as opposed to landscaping design and installing features. They know all about plants, how they grow, what will make them last longer, what is the best position for them in the garden and so forth.

While a landscaper may also offer some garden maintenance, a good gardener will know what to prune, when to prune and how to prune. A gardener will also identify pests and diseases, apply feeds and herbicides, monitor the weather and adjust lawn mower cutting heights accordingly. A seasoned gardener will know which plants thrive locally, what are the fastest growing vegetables and where to buy good plants. A gardener is equipped for gardening whereas a landscaper is equipped for building.

Gardeners sometimes need trade licences, but in many parts of Australia, they do not. After a landscaper has constructed an outdoor area, a gardener will come in and maintain it. A gardener might mow lawns, prune plants, do your weeding or fertilise your soil. They will not, however, build a gazebo or large retaining wall. Nor will a gardener come in with a backhoe and sculpt your landscape.

Skills for Lаndѕсарing businesses

• Prераrаtiоn оf рlаnѕ аnd drawings аnd ѕсhеduling lаndѕсаре соnѕtruсtiоn.
• Prераrаtiоn оf ѕресifiсаtiоnѕ аnd quоtаtiоnѕ.
• Arrаnging аrеаѕ fоr lаndѕсаре gаrdеning.
• Anаlуѕiѕ оf the site аnd сlеаring dеbriѕ fоr lаndѕсаре gаrdеning.
• Eѕtimаtiоn аnd оrdеring оf lаndѕсарing mаtеriаlѕ.
• Sеlесting thе рlаntѕ аnd mаtеriаlѕ nееdеd tо сrеаtе lаndѕсареѕ.
• Sеtting оut аnd inѕtаlling 'hаrdѕсаре' (е.g. briсk аnd ѕtоnе wаllѕ аnd раthѕ, timbеr fеаturеѕ) аnd 'ѕоft ѕсаре' (plantings) ѕtruсturеѕ.
• Cоnѕtruсting аnd dесоrаting ѕtерѕ аnd gаrdеn wаllѕ. Lаndѕсаре gаrdеning аlѕо covers thе соnѕtruсtiоn оf fеnсеѕ, trеlliѕеѕ, реrgоlаѕ, роndѕ аnd fоuntаinѕ.
• Cоnѕtruсtiоn аnd inѕtаllаtiоn оf еquiрmеnt likе fеrnеriеѕ аnd bаrbесuеѕ. Sоmе оf thе intеrеѕting thingѕ thаt уоu mау inѕtаll inсludе рlау ѕtruсturеѕ аnd gаrdеn furniturе.
• Crеаting vаriоuѕ раthѕ, ѕtерѕ, аnd раvеd аrеаѕ. Thеу саn bе соnѕtruсtеd uѕing раving mаtеriаlѕ, grаvеl, аnd timbеr.
• Pеrfоrming рruning of trees and shrubs.

There are so many different ways to create your very own vegetable garden. This article provides tips on how to plant, layout, and maintain it. Read on to discover some tips and tricks!

Gardening is one of those things that may seem scary, but it’s actually thoroughly rewarding once you can get into it and we are here to help you do so. Whether you’re experienced or not, we’ve got some advice for you.

Location Is Everything

It is essential to find a good spot for your vegetable garden. If you have a subpar location, this can result in mediocre vegetables. Here are some great tips for choosing the best place:

• Make sure the area is sunny. Vegetables need a lot of direct sunlight every day. The more solar radiation they receive, the larger and the tastier the harvest will be!
• Soil is very important as the roots of plants need to be enriched. Try and get a patch with soil that can be properly drained and supply your soil with compost.
• Your environment should be calm, so don’t plant anything in places that are prone to flooding or natural disasters;also, mind that strong wind can knock over young plants and keep an eye on insects!

Choosing the Right Size of Plant Pot

One should always be proud of their garden; however, it is better to boast a tiny garden than to become frustrated by a large one. Gardening novices often make the mistake of planting way too much into a short timeframe. If you want to have cucumbers that take up unnecessary space on your bathroom floor, plant everything with care. Start off small and only create what you can eat.

We would recommend a beginner garden of around 15×10 feet with a vegetable garden fence. Try to opt for a garden with 10 rows max. They should run from north to south to take advantage of the sun as best as possible. Some vegetables yield a lot more than others, including beetroots, beans, kohlrabi, radish, cabbage, spinach, turnips, and carrots.

Tips on Maximizing Vegetable Growth

There are many different things that you can do to help your vegetables grow best. After you’ve done the hard work of creating a garden in the right location, there are a number of things that you can do:

• Think about the vegetable garden layout very carefully. Properly space out your crops; for instance, corn needs much more space than other crops. Plants that are too close to each other will have to compete for water, sunlight, and nutrients. They will also be more susceptible to get damaged because of disease and may fail to mature. Pay attention to the spacing of plants in your garden.
• Find the highest quality seeds. It is best to invest in those that have a higher chance of germinating; otherwise, you will be wasting your time. A few extra dollars spent on each packet will seriously pay off.
• Watering properly is paramount for vegetable growth. However, you will not want to overwater your plants either. Check how much each crop needs before you plant anything.
• You need to know when to plant and harvest. It is important to do this in time rather than too early or too late. Every vegetable has its own time to be planted and harvested, so do some research before you start.
  
  Photo by Markus Spiske / Unsplash

Consider These Plants for Your Perfect Garden

Some vegetables are a lot more common than others. When you’re coming up with vegetable garden ideas, we think that it is wise to go for some of the more productive plants which are easier to grow. It is best to contact farmers in your neighborhood to see what grows best. However, some vegetables are generally more successful in a vegetable garden. Among them are:

• Zucchini
• Cabbage
• Tomato
• Pepper
• Lettuce
• Swiss chard
• Carrots
• Green beans
• Radish

We think that if you grow any of these, you’re onto a winning start!

Good Luck With Your Vegetable Garden

We admit that vegetable garden design might feel daunting at first, not to mention all those pesky questions you ask yourself, such as, “What is best fertilizer for the lawn organic or regular?”. Once you get into the swing of things, it becomes a lot easier to implement your ideas. We hope that the tips you’ve read can really inspire you to create a stunning, raised vegetable garden of your own. All the best!

Do you have any tips on how to start a vegetable garden? Tell us in the comments section below!

When your most special day of the year is creeping closer, you may be thinking up some different ideas regarding what kind of birthday party you might enjoy the most. Throwing a party can often be a very expensive game, as hiring out a specific location or premises might cost you close to a fortune, and this isn’t the only thing that you will have to fork out for. Deciding to throw your birthday bash from the comfort of your home and garden is a great idea, as you will save a considerable amount of money that can be channelled elsewhere, and it’s likely that you will feel much more calm and free to be yourself in a very familiar environment.

Preparing for your birthday party might take some time, but there are a few top tips and tricks that you can take advantage of to ensure that you have covered all bases for the best bash ever! So, if you want to know more about how you can organise an amazing get-together that makes the most of your homes outdoor space, then read on to uncover which steps you can follow to achieve your celebration dreams in no time at all!

Picking A Theme

You do not have to pick a specific theme for your party, but it can really help you to bring the whole event together and make for a more memorable day. When it comes to making this decision, you have to consider a few different things - such as, the date of your birthday (ie summer or winter), the age of and relationship that you have with the guests, and of course your own personal preferences.

Try to keep it upbeat and positive, choosing a theme that can bring a lot of laughter and amusement. For example, a summer birthday bash could follow a beachy theme with palm trees, coconuts and sunshine galore, whereas a chilly winter party could become a snow-covered wonderland with lots of warm treats! There are so many options for you to decide between, and even the most outlandish and unique can provide you and your guests with an experience they’ll never forget! After all, you’re never too old for a pirate or princess theme, so if that’s what springs to mind then don’t be afraid to pursue it!

When it comes to actually building your chosen theme, start off by visiting your local craft stores to find some inspiration and materials. If you can’t purchase anything that physically represents your theme, you can always try some DIY.

Food, Glorious Food

One of the biggest features of your party is the food that you put out for your guests to enjoy. When you decide to throw your birthday bash outside, it’s a great idea to try and make your cuisine suite the situation. For example, making the most of a barbecue grill can be a great addition to your summer get together, whereas handing out hand warming hot soups can be a perfect choice for a winter bash! Finger food is usually the best option to go for, as it’s much easier to consume than a full plate of food and can give your guests the chance to sample a variety of different tastes without getting full up.

Always consider who is coming to your birthday party as you may need to make some special adjustments, such as plant based foods for any vegans or vegetarians as well as sugar free and healthy dishes for children that might be attending.

No birthday party is complete without a show stopping cake to cut into and dish out, so be sure to add this to your to-do list; you can purchase regular cakes from the supermarket and get creative with the icing yourself, or just begin from scratch to ensure that you create something really unique.

As your party is going to be held in your outdoor space, why not incorporate this into the design of your cake by including edible flowers or other natural details? Ensure that you have enough to provide each of your guests with a slice, as you don’t want anyone to feel left out when you make the mistake of buying too little.

Decorating Your Garden

Transforming your garden into the perfect party location can be a bit of a large project to undertake, however a little bit of organisation really does go a long way. Make a floor plan that outlines the size and shape of your garden, and create a list of the different features and fittings that you want to include. This might be a seating area for guests to eat their food, a space that’s large enough and clear enough for dancing, and perhaps an area close to your home which can utilise your electricity connection for things like speakers and lights.

Your decorations would ideally fit with the specific theme you have chosen earlier, so channel this through the decisions that you make. Having enough places to sit is really important, especially if you have very young or considerably older guests who might have trouble standing for long periods. Switch it up by having some picnic benches that are perfect for that community feel, as well as bean bags and deck chairs to add in a few fun and different options.

To add an extra unique feature that your guests can use as a perfect photo opportunity, visit a site like eurotechdisplays.com.au so that you can design and purchase your own personalised birthday sign!

If you’ll be holding your get together long into the night, then it’s important that you take steps to provide sufficient amounts of light as the sun goes down. There are so many solar powered lighting devices that charge from the sun's rays during the day to banish the need for a live connection, so it’s a good idea to make the most of these so that you needn’t worry about any trips or falls as it gets dark. Simply place them along pathways and around seating areas so that your guests can see clearly when eating.

If you have a little time beforehand and want to improve your normal garden environment, then head down to your local outdoor store and invest in some plants or flowers to plant around the border of your garden or consider other ways to add a lovely pop of colour.

If you have a lot of guests that might be walking on your lawn, consider some kind of temporary flooring to protect your lawn, otherwise you lawn might turn to mud and you'll be looking for lawn care experts to bring it back to it's best.

Inviting Guests

Deciding who to invite to your birthday party is always a tricky process. Asking the wrong group of people to come can really ruin your day, whilst not having enough guests can feel as though you put in so much effort for nothing. Start off by making a list of your closest friends and family members whom you most definitely want to have close to you on your special day, and send off invitations to get their response first. This may be enough people to fill your garden quite comfortably, but if you feel as though you need to bump up the numbers then you can consider a few different options - think about any colleagues whose company you enjoy, or perhaps some fellow team members from any sports teams or activities. It’s likely that you have met the friends that your friends keep, so perhaps you may like to invite them so that you can broaden your group and get to know them a little better.

If you have any question marks surrounding inviting a specific person, whether this be out of fear for their behaviour or just doubts as to whether you really want them to be there, then it’s best to say no rather than regret your decision on the big day. You can purchase invitation packs from many craft stores, but you could also spend some time getting creative and making your own to build up your excitement for your garden party! Send them out a few weeks before the event and try to get responses in advance to see whether you can invite any extra people if some of your other friends can not attend.

Summary

Organising the best birthday garden party has never been so simple when you can make the most of the top tips and tricks outlined above! Start off by deciding on a fun theme that incorporates interesting features and the season in which your special event is held. Next, think about what type of cuisine you and your guests will enjoy the most, incorporating specific eating habits such as gluten free to ensure that everyone can leave with a full tummy no matter what. Decorate your garden with some fun accessories, enough seating and a source of light if you plan on dancing the night away. Invite your nearest and dearest to ensure that you can have the best day possible with your loved ones around you!

You must have always used your creativity to decorate your house instead of thinking of ways to secure it. While decorating your house is crucial, securing your house to the best of your capabilities should be your priority. We have compiled a list of some creative measures that you can take to ensure the security of your house:

1 Make your Presence Known

Burglars stay away from houses that are occupied as they avoid dealing with repercussions of their actions. Their main target is the houses whose occupants are on vacations or away on some business. For them, such houses are easy targets since their job becomes a quick break-in and out.
To counter this, people adopt various creative means to trick burglars into thinking that they never left their house. Some of these tricks are discussed below:

Automation Systems:

You can install an automated lighting system that is digitally controlled and can be monitored via your phone. You can turn on and off your house’s lights at irregular intervals to make it seem like someone is inside the house, technology has made it easy for you to pretend to be home. For instance, you can play music on your sound system and turn on and off your TV on a timer creating a more authentic illusion of you being home than just some flickering lights.

Fake Barking Sounds:

Pets have always been considered a sign of bustling home life. You can play fake barking sounds on your music system to make outsiders think that someone is living inside the house. Furthermore, dogs are known for their protective nature which is why their sound is suggested instead of a cat’s or any other animal.

Trimmed Lawn:

If you are going away for too long, then make sure your lawn is well taken care of, and your bushes are trimmed. Overgrown bushes can serve as a perfect hiding spot for burglars and allow them to spy on you and your family before they make a move.

Phone Calls

All your attempts to fool burglars would go in vain if the intruders decided to call at your house. They will immediately figure out that everything they’ve been seeing is just an elaborate pretense if no one picks up the phone whenever they call. One way to counter this is to be mindful of sharing your personal information online. You can also tone down the ringer of your phone, so the caller will never know if their calls are reaching you or not.

We’ve only mentioned a handful of tricks above, but people have gone as far as asking their neighbors to put rubbish in their bin and ask them to park their cars in their garage to solidify the pretense.

2 Use Secure Locks and get an Alarm

Making your house seem lived in can be your first line of defense, but the real deal comes next. You cannot leave your house on the off chance that your tricks will work without doing anything practical to make their job difficult.

CCTV can allow you to monitor who comes in who goes out of your house via an app on your phone. A CCTV setup is helpful to catch burglars, but getting an alarm professionally installed is more important to scare off the intruders.

All these security measures are so intermingled that if employed wisely, these can make an intruder’s job difficult. But the digital lock and surveillance system may not be budget-friendly for everyone; therefore, some people use more traditional means for instance, one of the more secure door lock types are double-cylinder locks with multiple keyholes that one needs to twist at once if they want to unlock the door

Deadlocks are also impossible to crack since they don't have a spring in them.

3 Get a security camera

Security cameras have become a necessity for the protection of your home. Selecting the right option is still very difficult so check out some of the best security cameras available in Australia.

4 Don’t Announce Your Vacations

Experienced criminals investigate their targets using all kinds of sources, including social media as well. Never announce your vacations online as it is a clear invitation for anyone to come and break into your house.

Conclusion

To ensure the security of your house is not an a simple job since you’ll have to tie many loose ends for it to be foolproof. Firstly, you'll have to use an alarm to secure the doors and windows in your house and ideally install CCTV as well.

Then, use deterrents like good lighting and hanging laundry in your balcony to make your house liveable. Finally make sure that your personal information is not being advertised online and shared with unrelated people.

Security cameras have become an unavoidable necessity these days. Theft is among the most common crimes in the world and, in Australia, the theft rates have increased significantly over the last couple of years.

According to the Australian Bureau of statistics, armed robberies increased by three per cent between 2017 and 2018, and unarmed robberies increased by eight per cent. Moreover, seventy-two per cent of these robberies happened in residential properties.

In light of these statistics, security cameras are a must-have. They can deter criminals, and they can aid law enforcement in the investigation of the crime as well. However, when most people set out to buy security cameras for their homes or businesses, they can't decide with model or type is best for their needs.

Below we are going to simplify that process for you by covering some some of the best surveillance cameras that you can purchase in Australia, in price ascending order, stick around to learn more.

Xiaomi mi 360:

If you thought that Xiaomi was only shaking up the budget smartphone industry, you are wrong. Xiaomi is making a wide array of unusual and affordable products, including wireless security cameras.

The new Xiaomi mi 360 is a smart and effective solution for a secure and worry-free home.

Costing only $60 on amazon.com.au, this excellent product has many useful features.

The device can be set up easily by scanning a QR code from your phone, and you will be able to monitor high quality, 1080p, panoramic footage instantly. Moreover, you can use the moveable lens to get a complete 360-degree view of your home.

The mi 360 also has two-way communication capabilities and smart motion detection, while the infrared night vision makes it perfect for outdoor use as well.

If you are looking for an economical option that doesn't compromise on quality, you should go for Xiaomi mi 360.

TP-Link Kasa Spot pan-tilt (KC110):

TP-link is a very well-known name in the tech industry. You may have known them for makes some of the best wireless routers and other network-related devices, but they also produce some excellent wireless security cameras.

The KC110 has full HD 1080p recording capabilities, and you can monitor its footage anywhere, on your smartphone, through the remote viewing feature.

Coming in under $80 on amazon.com.au, this device has some unique features that make it stand out.

The smart motion tracking keeps moving objects in the frame and allows the camera to get the best footage. You can also put the camera on patrol mode to cover a large area with a single camera.

The smart interface of the camera app allows you to create customized activity zones in areas of interest like a safe, drawer or front door. The camera will alert you on your phone when there is any activity in the specified regions.
Therefore, the TP-Link KC110 is another viable option for a home or office security camera.

Ring stick up cam - Best security camera under $200:

Ring is a famous company known for making some amazing security cameras. They have made a wide assortment of devices. However, the most common one is the stick-up cam. This is our favourite for under $200 that is available in Australia.

It comes in two configurations. You can get one either with a built-in battery pack, or one with a standard power outlet for uninterrupted power supply. Regardless of the power cord, the stick-up cam still connects wirelessly to your phone to provide clear 1080p HD footage.

Ring also has a solar-powered version of the stick-up cam, that you can buy for outdoors use.

Both the wired and battery versions are available on amazon, and they have the same features like two-way communication, motion detection and compatibility with Amazon's Alexa.

The Arlo Pro 2 - Best camera under $650

Arlo is one of the most renowned names when it comes to modern surveillance cameras. They have made some amazing products in recent years, the Arlo pro is one of their best-selling models.

This completely wireless camera comes with a rechargeable battery; therefore, it can be placed anywhere without worrying about its proximity to the nearest electrical outlet.

The lens also has a waterproof and IP-65 certified weatherproof housing, which makes it perfect for outdoor surveillance.

The Arlo pro 2 supports both local and cloud storage, which means that you won't have to pay for extra for a monthly cloud subscription. One of the main selling points of the Arlo Pro is that is comes equipped with an alarm. You can customize what triggers the alarm and use the camera smart motion detection and motion tracking capabilities to create a complete security system.

Like most of the other cameras on this list, the Arlo Pro 2 is also compatible with Google's assistant and Amazon's Alexa.

You can buy two, three or four camera systems, the two camera system currently sells at $619.

Logitech circle

Update: This last option became unavailable to purchase in Australia just as we published this guide. You could import from USA, but it blows the price out and we don't recommend that, we are only including in case it becomes available again, if so aim for under $200AUD

The Logitech Circle is another viable option for a modern security camera. This wireless CCTV security camera will provide you with a full 1080p HD footage directly on your smartphone or tablet.

The 135-degree wide-angle lens allows you to monitor large rooms or even outdoor areas. The Logitech Circle is available in both wired and wireless configurations. The wireless version is also equipped with a fast-charging and long-lasting battery, which means you don't have to worry about any power outlets when installing your camera.

The Logitech circle also has a vast range of accessories and mounts that make it one of the most versatile options on this list. For a little extra money, you can also buy a wall mount, window mount, extra batteries, and a lot more.

The wireless version is elementary and straightforward to set up, whereas, setting up a wired device may be a little challenging, especially if you are new to installing cameras or you want to install a large-scale system with multiple devices. However, if that is the kind of setup you are after you shoul consider hiring a local company that provides a security camera installation service.

Security cameras have become a necessity for the protection of our homes and businesses; however, selecting the right device is still very difficult so we mentioned some of the best options available in Australia and we hope that you found this useful - do let us know by leaving a comment!

Having a luxury garden will significantly raise the value of your home, but having beautiful landscaping can cost you some extra money. There is no need for extravagant decorations, you can design your garden to be luxurious by doing simple things like looking after your plants and having nice furniture.

Make a Stunning Lawn

One of the best ways you can give your garden a luxurious transformation is to hire lawn mowing services to cut your lawn into a defined shape like a circle or a square.

Once you have your lawn cut how you want it to be you can start laying out the plan. The key to having a luxurious lawn is to think outside of the box. Try to include at least three different areas such as:

●     A seating area that is shaded

●     An area where plants are centre stage

●     A patio spot in the sun

Unless you are interested in creating a formal garden, creating a luxury design is easily accomplished by adding asymmetry to your plan and adding diagonal lines. By adding those you will make your garden look significant buffer and dynamic.

Create an Amazing Pathway

By creating a stunning pathway through your backyard you will instantly make it look more luxurious. If you want to design a full walkway through your garden, there are a couple of different options when it comes to choosing the materials. You can either choose stone tiles or pavers. Choosing individual stone tiles will make your yard feel more magical, and with using pavers you are going to get a simpler yet luxurious look. The most important step that will make all the difference in bringing a luxury design to your garden is by getting top quality mosaic tiles instead of cheap ones.

Create a Focal Point

By creating a focal point in your garden you will make the whole place look more luxurious. By adding a fireplace you are creating not only a focal point, but you are also creating a place where you and your family can spend time outside even if it’s cold. Your garden will make the whole yard cosier and put together.

If you don't like the idea of having a fire in your garden, then putting a water feature is best for designing a luxury garden. It can be a beautiful bird fountain or a Zen water feature. And most important of them all you don't need a lot of space for creating these looks.

Don't Hold Back On Garden Lighting

If you position the garden lights you will add atmosphere and drama to your garden, which will look amazing if you're in the garden or looking at them from the inside. Adding lights is the most effective way of creating subtle yet luxury looking accents.

You can read about 6 unique lighting options to spruce up your backyard on expertEasy. It will help you create an outdoor living space you'll love.

Install a Luxurious Garden Gate

When you are installing a garden gate you are basically making a hallway. This is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about luxury designs for your yard, but it will definitely be the first thing your visitors see when they enter from the outside. The only important thing you need to do when installing a garden gate is investing in a beautifully made one that will accentuate all the little details in your garden.

If you just can't decide on the perfect way to design your garden, that's okay, there is no shame in asking expert gardeners for help. It doesn't matter if you come up with the design or someone else, the most important thing is that you transform your garden into a luxury place that you will love spending time in.

Knowing how to use the right tools is one of the most important parts of gardening. If you don't have the tools, garden work is hard to complete. It is therefore important to know what tools to use while working tending to your garden.

The current range of garden tools is truly amazing. You're going to find everything you need. But we will focus now on the top 15 most useful types of gardening tools to make gardening easier for any gardener, both beginner and experienced.

Basic Gardnening Tools

Pitchforks

This gardening device is used to loosen the ground. It is recommended that the soil be tilled using a fork instead of using a shovel. The reason for this is that it prevents you from cutting through the worms and roots of the plants.

Spades / Shovels

There are many varieties of this tool on the web — bayonets, shovels, sappers, snow shovels. Different types of shovels are designed for different tasks, you can find shovels best suited for particular soil selection in the gardens, sawdust, limestone, sand, and other materials, but a beginner will get by fine with a simple decent quality one.

The serious gardener needs at least two kinds of trowels. The Bayonet Trowel is the most popular since it is multi-purpose. It can help with digging fields, cutting large weeds and undergrowth, digging and loosening bushes and trees, digging ripened vegetables out of the ground. It can be said that a shovel is used most during the summer season. It is possible to have at least two small, lightweight bayonet spades/ hand trowels and at least one heavier bayonet spade.

Rakes

This device is essential for soil grazing, garbage collection— removing leaves, and grass cutting. Rakes have two styles of teeth one is smooth and flexible. The rough styled rake is used to loosen and to break up lumps of dry soil. Flexible teeth rakes need to be washed of leaves and grass clippings, etc.

Trowel

A garden trowel is a small hand tool used for digging, smoothing, or moving small amounts of soil. They greatly simplify the process of planting. A small blade is an ideal size for opening the dirt, or tilling the soil so it is at the desired level. There are also some trowels specially designed for cutting roots.

Hoe

Weeding and soiling are routine exercises for gardeners in the treatment of old plants. To do this type of work, a standard hoe will be all the support you will need. This is not a wide tool, so it's ideal for weeding plants and loosening soils in fields, flower gardens, and flower beds.

Organic Straw Sunhat

For gardeners who have to work in the hot summer Australian sun, I recommend that the skin be protected from harmful UV light. Failure to use sunscreen can result in problems with early signs of serious skin disorders. There is also another important addition that not only protects the skin but also keeps you cooler. It's not going to come to mind for some, I'm pretty sure. Today, the correct use of a straw sunhat as a gardening tool is all but forgotten, however they're a perfect defense. I'm sure straw sunhats will return to their rightful place in the garden, especially the more fashionable models.

Watering Can

It can be used not only for watering your Cranberra Bells but also for irrigation of soils and fertilizers. Watering cans are only used to apply targeted adhoc irrigation to small areas. Their main benefit is in size and convenience.

Garden Hose / Irrigation System

It's hard to imagine a garden without a garden hose. Regular watering, whether grass, vegetables or flowers, is important.

It's difficult to find the time for manual watering and worthwhile considering a sprinklers or an irrigation sytem, loading and water pressure should be taken into consideration.

Gardening Scissors

This garden tool is equipped with long, sharp blades and is very convenient to cut small shoots. It is also ideal for cutting hedges of heath, heart leaves, mint bush, etc.

Garden Hacksaw

Makes a clean and tidy cut without damaging the tree at the same time, unlike conventional hacksaws. A small folding hacksaw and a large one can be recommended for novice gardeners.

Hand Pruner / Shrub Shears / Secateurs

Hand Pruners are used for the cutting of bushes and thick branches of young trees. Once you have chosen the type of garden work you want to do, use a secateurs tool with rubberized handles to protect your hands from blisters. Secateurs/pruners should sit comfortably if used side on.

Long-handled Shears/lopper

This is a garden tool for cutting branches that are inaccessible to traditional prunes, for example, in the middle of the bush and when dealing with thorny shrubs. A lopper system is mounted on a long pole, loppers can cut thick branches of plants without much effort, since it is fitted with a hinged-lever frame. The efficiency of the operation depends on the thickness of the branches.

Seed sowing dispenser

Seed dispensers are used for manual planting of seeds for the rapid and qualitative introduction of seeds into soil beds or other planting purposes. The sowing design allows seeds of varying sizes (carrots, parsley, peas) to be planted at the same time.

Power Tools

Hedge Trimmer / Shrub Shear

If your have a lot of hedge then this lightweight tool's design will help you to maintain your bushes. You can rough-cut a general shape with an electric or petrol hedge trimmer and do detailed work with your hand shears. Cheaper electric trimmers tend to be underpowered and dull easy, so I would buy something top-notch with plenty of power.

Whipper Sniper

Useful for edges and very long grass where the mower can't efficiently trim the area. In Australia line trimmers are commonly known as whipper snippers, with our detailed advice it should be easy for you to find the whipper snipper that is best for your needs.

Lawnmower

Cordless or corded electric lawnmowers are convenient tool for taking care of lawns under different conditions in small and medium-sized areas. Electric mowers have also become popular due to how compact and lightweight they are, and because they can be used in a variety of fields without damaging the environment and human health.

Modern Cordless lawnmowers have a decent power output, comparable to petrol lawnmowers as well as a small number of parts and tools required. Because this type of device is simple, you don't have to spend a lot of effort maintaining it, of course the batteries won't last forever.

Even some professional lawn mowing services are now using battery powered lawn mowers instead of petrol ones, at least for some clients, of course they are unlikely to be used for professional acreage mowing even though there are a few ride on mowers that are now battery powered, those are targeted at the home user market.

Safety

After discovering what tools you need, you can begin to study the instructions on how to properly use them. It is very important, as it will help you to understand the specifics of the use of each device and give you a detailed description of its operation. The manual also indicates possible problems and ways of their elimination.

Buying a new lawn mower that’s perfect for you and your garden can be a complete minefield with so many varieties, makes, and choice out there these days. Do you pick petrol or electric? How about hand or ride on? Which is the best? And what’s a good value price point?

All of these choices should depend on one simple factor: the ultimate purpose of your new lawn mower. This short video from Howcast is a helpful starting point if you need a refresher on the criteria for determining the perfect lawnmower for you and your lawn’s needs.

Unpowered push mowers

We are going to cover all the different types of lawn mowers in this guide from unpowered push mowers through to lawn tractors, we will start with the unpowered and work our way through corded electric, cordless, petrol and a couple of ride ons.

1. The perfect hand mower for smaller lawns

The Masport Cleveland 18” Hand Lawn Mower is simple to use and perfect for small, flat lawns that require minimal effort to keep trim and maintained with a precision cut. The Masport boasts a 460 mm cutting width and a 13 to 56 mm cutting height as well as a lightweight fabric catcher that’s easy to remove and empty. With a heavy-duty steel framework, cast alloy wheels, and steel drive pinions for sturdy handling whilst you mow, it also has a T-style handle with cushioned grips to allow for comfortable usage.

As a relatively inexpensive choice of lawn mower, you can also feel good about yourself as it’s great for the environment, leaving not a trace of carbon footprint behind. According to The Ecopreneurist, the average US household uses around eighteen gallons of fuel to mow their lawn a year, so if you have a smaller lawn there’s never been a better time to try out a new, eco-friendly hand mower.

The Masport Cleveland 18” Hand Lawn Mower is available to buy from Bunnings Warehouse.

2. The best value hand push lawn mower

The Victa 16” Razor Cut Push Mower is a bargain hand lawn mower with a strong yet flexible structure that’s ideal for catching those hard to reach areas of your lawn. Guarantee it stays looking its best, thanks to the easy to use self-sharpening system that ensures a slick cut for a manicured lawn.

The handle is easily adjustable to your height ensuring comfortable usage, and an ergonomic cushioned grip will help you to get the job done smoothly. As with the Cleveland, you can feel good about yourself as it’s great for the environment, and it allows quiet operation throughout usage.

The Victa 16” Razor Cut Push Mower is available to buy from Victa.

Corded Electric mowers

3. The most convenient electric lawn mower

Introducing the Ryobi 1600W Lawn Mower – the dream lawn mower for tough to tackle small lawns and gardens that need care and attention even in the toughest of seasons. Thanks to its impressively powerful 1600W motor and 360 mm deck width, it provides an extremely convenient way to maintain your lawn to the best of its appearance.

A reasonably light and portable lawn mower, there are five easily adjustable height points along with easy fold handles for convenient storage. LawnMowerWizard deems this ‘a fine mower, and there are very few complaints about it’. All you need to do is plug it in and get around that lawn!

The Ryobi 1600W Lawn Mower.

4. The ultimate bargain electric lawn mower

At a very modest price that by no means reflects its quality, the Ozito 1000W Ecomow Electric Lawn Mower offers excellent agility for a thorough sharp cut of your lawn, no matter what its condition. A lightweight machine, it offers the utmost convenience for usage and storage, and features a 1000W motor that is powerful enough to complete a great job of the lawn whilst maintaining efficiency for the environment.

With quiet operation and a safety switch for protected mowing, it’s a low maintenance lawn mower with an impressive 25 litre grass catcher that’s easily removable for a convenient mow. It also features a 305 mm cut that’s adjustable for your lawn. Don’t just believe us - Canstar Blue named Ozito the only brand to earn five stars for value for money in its customer satisfaction ratings.

The Ozito 1000W Ecomow Electric Lawn Mower is available to buy from Bunnings.

Battery Powered Electric mowers

We now have an article focussed purely on the Best battery powered lawn mowers you can get in Australia for domestic use.

5. The most powerful cordless lawn mower

The AEG 58V Brushless Lawn Mower Kit is excellent for small to medium sized lawns and is extremely convenient thanks to its battery power that means it’s totally cordless for a smooth lawn cut.

Thanks to AEG’s advanced battery technology, the cordless lawn mower’s brushless motor provides a more powerful performance over a longer lifetime – all whilst allowing simple maintenance and little noise. You’ll be amazed it isn’t petrol lawn mower! What’s more, it even features load sensing technology for greater power against tougher cuts, and it has a maneuverable design for portability and storage.

The AEG 58V Brushless Lawn Mower Kit is available to buy from AEG Powertools.

6. The self-propelled lawn mower that offers a quick cut

The Ryobi 36V 5.0Ah 20” Self-Propelled Lawn Mower offers the ultimate lawn mowing experience thanks to its state of the art technology that provides an extremely powerful mow. As a self-propelled lawn mower, you can expect less effort and strain, and this particular tool offers variable speed and an increased runtime before recharging.

With foldable handles, it features great portability and storage, as well as a generous 20” deck to ensure the job gets done in less time. Additional benefits include a fast charger and height adjustment to allow for a variety of cutting heights.

The Ryobi 36V 5.0Ah 20” Self Propelled Lawn Mower from Ryobi.

Petrol mowers

Petrol mowers offer more power than electric and can run for longer than cordless electric mowers, with all the moving parts they will require more maintenance than their electric cousins. Below we include a couple of our favourite walk behind petrol models, however see our 10 best petrol mowers article for a longer list of what we consider suitable for domestic use.

7. The long-lasting lawn mower with powerful performance

For a long-lasting and powerful mow, the Masport 550 AL 2N1 Cut, Catch & Mulch Petrol Lawn Mower is your machine. With aluminium casing that’s resistant to rust and a super powerful 625EX engine, it’s a great petrol lawn mower that boasts both performance and resilience for years of lawn cutting.

With ReadyStart technology, it’s never been easier to get going, and its heavy duty body makes it suitable and powerful enough for all kinds of lawn condition – it also handles larger areas particularly well. With a four blade disc system, it’s an excellent lawn mower for catching grass, thanks to an increased airflow.

The additional comfortable PVC grip on the upper handle makes it a dream to use.

The Masport 550 AL 2N1 Cut, Catch & Mulch Petrol Lawn Mower.

8. The Professional Grade petrol lawn mower under $825

Well the RRP of this model is $949, however you can pick it up for $799 plus $25 postage.

The Masport 19" Contractor is a professional's mower, just like the 21" models, this model features a commercial grade Kawasaki 179cc OHV Series FJ 180V IC 4 stroke engine. This mower is made for tough going conditions and very regular mowing. The high arch heavy duty steel chassis is able to withstand sandblasting and hard impacts and combined with the 4 blade cutting system results in supreme cutting, mulching and catching performance. The cast alloy wheels are extremely tough and are designed to operate under commercial conditions limiting possible down time for repairs. It has an open rear chute to allow great grass flow and catcher-full performance in a hard HDPE catcher.

Features

• Cut, Catch & Mulch
• Powered by Kawasaki 179cc OHV Series FJ 180V IC 4 stroke engine
• Cast iron sleeve in cylinder
• 485mm (19") deep draw heavy duty steel chassis
• Steel front bumper and engine guard offer protection to the cutting chassis
• Bolt in front axle with steel bearing plates bolted directly to the chassis
• Masport Quadcut 4 Blade Disc System for superior catching due to increased airflow
• Large wide diameter professional grade heavy duty cast aluminium Front 200mm (8") and Rear 200mm (8") wheels with synthetic rubber tyres and precision 6202 sealed ball bearings
• Comfortable and sturdy upturned upper handle with soft grip, large diameter and heavier gauge steel tube
• Robust lower handle with additional bracing for extra durability
• 3 position handle locking system for different height settings
• HDPE Plastic Catcher with 'full' indicator
• Steel rear flap
• Zone start for comfortable starting position

Ride on mowers

Ride on mowers are made for lawns that are bigger than you would want push a walk-behind mower around. If mowing your lawn currently takes you more than two hours then consider one of these, or get a professional lawn mowing service to do it for you.

9. The excellent value for money ride on lawn mower

The Masport Mini Rider is a ride on petrol lawn mower that is both comfortable and fast for larger areas of lawn that require a precise cut.

With a reliable Briggs & Stratton 190cc electric start engine, it’s a great value ride on mower that features a 24” steel side discharge cutting deck that doesn’t require tools to remove to ensure efficient mowing, and it’s extremely easy to use. With six speed options and a steel bumper, it’s a heavy duty machine that’s ideal for yards. What’s more, as a relatively compact ride on mower, it’s perfect for those who require a machine that is easy to store.

The Masport Mini Rider is available to buy from Mitre 10.

10. The ultimate ride on mower

So actually this one is classed as a lawn tractor and is a step up, lawn tractors offer more powerful engines and wide cutting decks, if you happen to have a golf course in your backyard, grab yourself one of these!

The Victa 22HP Zero Turn Petrol Lawn Tractor is one of the very best ride on machines in the game. Mow like a pro thanks to its agile 360 degree turning that enables you to glide round objects including trees and hedges to reduce time.

With its high performance Briggs & Stratton Intek V-Twin engine, you’re guaranteed an extremely powerful mow as well as a ride on mower that’ll last you many years of top notch lawn mowing. Its fully welded steel chassis with thick walled front axle makes it suitable for both residential and commercial use, and it has a durable and simple to use foot-operated deck lift. To ensure smooth usage, it also features a handy integrated handbrake and electric blade engagement.

The Victa 22HP Zero Turn Petrol Lawn Tractor is available to buy from Victa.

Great, you’ve chosen your perfect lawn mower! Now what? Take a look at this informative video from Bunnings on how to maintain your lawn mower for years of great mowing with your chosen machine.

While petrol lawn mowers will require more maintenance than electric options, they typically run for much longer and offer a great deal more power than electric lawn mowers, making them a great investment for larger lawns.

We’ve researched the best petrol lawn mowers that are available to purchase in Australia and we list our picks in a rough cost order.

To explore other types of lawn mowers, take a look at our:

• Broad guide to some of the best models on the market in Australia.
• Our article focussed purely on battery powered lawn mowers

1. The bargain petrol lawn mower under $200

While it's certainly not ideal for very large lawns if you’re looking for a good cut at a bargain price, the Yardking 138cc Cut and Catch Lawn Mower is a decent choice.

With a 138cc 4-stroke engine, it provides sufficient power for small to medium lawns thanks also to its single bar blade. With a lightweight and compact chassis weighing just 21kg and a foldable handle it is ideal for easy transportation. With a cutting width of 400mm it is nice and manoeuvrable around small lawns.

This lawn mower comes with 12 months of domestic use warranty.

The Yardking 138cc Cut and Catch Lawn Mower is available from Bunnings.

2. The best basic petrol lawn mower under $400

The Victa Classic Cut 18” Cut and Catch Lawn Mower is a great value petrol lawn mower for giving uncomplicated lawns a thorough cut. It boasts an easy to start ignition system, a quiet Briggs & Stratton 500E Series USA built OHV engine, and a dual swing-back blade cutting system for strong and steady performance.

With a blade length of 450mm and a cutting width of 457mm, it can cover larger lawns quicker than the model above, although this model is ideal for lawns that are not overgrown, and it doesn’t offer mulching capabilities.

Australian manufactured, the steel chassis is optimised for its catching efficiency, and the model’s comfort grip, foldable handles and ball bearing wheels ensure comfortable and manoeuvrable mowing.

The Victa Classic Cut 18” Cut and Catch Lawn Mower is available to buy from Victa.

3. The bargain mulching petrol lawn mower under $400

The Makita 140CC 4 Stroke Mulch & Catch Lawn Mower (460mm) is a great value investment thanks to its Briggs & Statton 550EX series engine with dual swing back blade system. With a torque indication of 6.8Nm at 3,060RPM and a generous 460mm cutting width, this model can process a lot of grass at a decent rate, there’s a five stage height adjustment to ensure grass of varying levels can be caught and cut.

This mower is reasonably lightweight for easy mobility, and a substantial 60 litre grass catcher means plenty of ground can be covered before emptying is required, this makes it an appropriate model for fairly large area of grass. It comes with a two year domestic use warranty.

The Makita 140CC 4 Stroke Mulch & Catch Lawn Mower (18 inch) is available from Total Tools.

4. The most efficient mulching petrol lawn mower under $400

Masport is well known for offering an excellent quality range of Australian lawn mowers, and so the 470 2n'1 Mulch & Catch Petrol Lawn Mower is no exception. This particular model is well equipped for powering through tough grass in reasonably large lawn areas, and its swing back four stroke blades offer both catching and mulching capabilities no matter whether it's wet or dry grass and the catcher will indicate when it’s full.

With a reinforced, foldable handle with PVC grip, you can expect comfortable usage, and the 460mm blade length and cutting width will mean a much quicker mowing time around the lawn.

It comes with a 4 year warranty on the chassis and the engine has a 2 year warranty.

The Masport 470 2'n1 Petrol Lawn Mower is available to buy from Bunnings.

5. The powerful mulching petrol lawn mower under $460

Featuring an impressive 140cc Rover OHV 480 engine, the Rover Duracut 420 Lawn Mower is a great value mulching model that’s perfect for smaller areas of lawn. With a 46cm (18”) steel deck, it’s robust enough to handle tough conditions of grass, and its 4 swing back blades are perfect for slicing through grass for a thorough cut. The model boasts ball bearing wheels for smooth manoeuvrability, and its catcher with a 45 litre fill indicator is great for either emptying or providing organic fertilisation to the lawn thanks to its mulch plug. There’s also a safe stop engine break for controlled lawn mowing.

Like the Blaxland, the Duracut comes with that huge 5 year domestic use warranty.

The Rover Duracut 420 Lawn Mower is available to buy from your local Rover dealer.

6. The high performing mulching petrol lawn mower under $500

For a powerful petrol lawn mower that won’t break the bank, look to the Ryobi 190cc 18" 4 Stroke Lawn Mower. The greatest feature of this model is its robust Subaru 190cc overhead cam, 4 stroke engine that operates at 11.2Nm of torque at 2500RPM that makes it suitable for tough, overgrown grass.

Foldable, adjustable, and soft grip handles ensure comfort when lawn mowing, and compaction for storage or movement. Up to 50 litres of grass can be caught before the mower needs to be emptied. The machine’s mulching plug also means grass clippings can be used as a natural fertiliser instead of being caught.

Some innovative features include a deck wash garden hose plug adaptor for conveniently cleaning the deck and blades, and a decompression valve that reduces the power required for starting. It comes with a two year replacement warranty.

You can find the full specifications on the Ryobi 190cc 18" 4 Stroke Lawn Mower from Ryobi.

7. The cross-over self propelled mulching lawn mower under $800

At this price point we are starting to look at models that could be used seriously by professional lawn mowing services.

The Honda 21” (530mm) Self Propelling Lawn Mower with Clip Director Mulching is a silent yet efficient model from a top brand. Its key features include Honda’s impressive Mow-Safe engine brake technology, low fuel consumption, and whisper quiet operation that’s ideal for residential usage. The model’s powerful 160cc engine and MicroCut twin bar blades allow for a thorough cut.

A generous 66 litre fabric grass catcher allows for an extended mow without stopping and mulching capabilities enable lawn fertilisation at the same time if desired. Shortened mowing times can also be achieved thanks to the wide 530mm blade length and cutting width. This lawn mower comes with a 2 year domestic warranty.

The Honda 21” (530mm) Self Propelling Lawn Mower with Clip Director Mulching is available from Bunnings.

However while some professionals do use this model, it is still classed as domestic grade mower, you can check out the professional grade mowers below.

8. The Proffessional Grade petrol lawn mower under $825

Well the RRP of this model is $949, however you can pick it up for $799 plus $25 postage.

The Masport 19" Contractor is a professional's mower, just like the 21" models, this model features a commercial grade Kawasaki 179cc OHV Series FJ 180V IC 4 stroke engine. This mower is designed for tough going conditions and regular mowing. The high arch heavy duty steel chassis is able to withstand sandblasting and hard impacts and combined with the 4 blade cutting system results in supreme cutting, mulching and catching performance. The cast alloy wheels are extremely tough and are designed to operate under commercial conditions limiting possible down time for repairs. It has an open rear chute to allow great grass flow and catcher full performance in a hard HDPE catcher.

Features

• Cut, Catch & Mulch
• Powered by Kawasaki 179cc OHV Series FJ 180V IC 4 stroke engine
• Cast iron sleeve in cylinder
• 485mm (19") deep draw heavy duty steel chassis
• Steel front bumper and engine guard offer protection to the cutting chassis
• Bolt in front axle with steel bearing plates bolted directly to the chassis
• Masport Quadcut 4 Blade Disc System for superior catching due to increased airflow
• Large wide diameter professional grade heavy duty cast aluminium Front 200mm (8") and Rear 200mm (8") wheels with synthetic rubber tyres and precision 6202 sealed ball bearings
• Comfortable and sturdy upturned upper handle with soft grip, large diameter and heavier gauge steel tube
• Robust lower handle with additional bracing for extra durability
• 3 position handle locking system for different height settings
• HDPE Plastic Catcher with 'full' indicator
• Steel rear flap
• Zone start for comfortable starting position

9. The Proffessional Grade self propelled petrol lawn mower under $1,550

One of the most powerful self propelled mowers in Australia, the professional Victa 19" GXV160 Petrol Lawn Mower is suitable for the toughest types of grass and large lawn areas. With a durable Die-Cast Alloy Chassis with Commercial Warranty and four stroke blades, it’s able to take a lot less time to get the job done – powered by a robust Honda GXV160 OHV commercial grade engine.

The 8 inch double ball bearing Pro wheels allow for a very convenient mowing experience, and the self-propelled variable speed gearbox makes mowing effortless. Additional bonus features include a foldable handle for compact transportation and storage, the commercial grade mulching ensures a much quicker job of natural lawn fertilisation.

This lawn mower comes with a 4 year commerical product warranty

The Victa 19" GXV160 Mulch Mater Petrol Lawn Mower is available from victa dealers.

Hopefully you’ve been able to choose your perfect petrol lawn mower from our comprehensive guide to the best models available in Australia. Once you’ve purchased your ideal petrol mower see the maintenance guide from bunnings below.

Most homeowners only pay attention to their drains once these are clogged or show signs of being clogged. Leaving a clogged drain untreated can even require you to pay for a plumber. If you want avoid this and ensure that your drains are working properly, clean your drain using the following tips:

1 Use a Plunger

Plungers are a staple in almost every home. Regardless of how big or small a home is, plungers are used for a variety of reasons.

• Plungers work best if there are food particles or objects stuck in the curved pipe underneath your sink. This strategy also works for slow-draining or completely clogged sinks.

• Before using the plunger for your drain, take time to clear the area as there might be water splashes once you start. If you’re planning to use this strategy in your kitchen, make sure that your utensils and food are far from the sink. Once done, fill your sink with warm water and give it a good plunging. Repeat this step as often as necessary.

• The force of the plunger helps dislodge any stuck particles, allowing them to pass through the pipes easily. Finish the process by pouring down hot water in your sink and combine with other techniques below.

2 Long wire hook

For sure, you have several spare hangers in your home. Grab one from your closet as you’ll need this to clean your drain, use gloves and pliers as needed. This strategy is one of the oldest tricks in the book. The hanger pulls out any blockage from the drain, which leaves your drain clean and free-flowing.

• Bend one end of the hanger and turn this into a small hook. You’ll need pliers to get this done easier and faster. The other end of the hanger should be used as your handle, you should use gloves while you’re pulling out any blockage from your pipes.

• Once the hanger is bent, remove the drain cover of your kitchen or bathroom sink, insert the hanger, and reach through the drain as far as you can. Pull out any blockage. Repeat this step as often as necessary. Remember, the key is to pull out the blockage, not push it down the drain.

3 Hot Water and Liquid Detergent

Your liquid dish detergent can now be used in more ways than one! Aside from keeping your dishes and other kitchen utensils squeaky clean, a liquid dish detergent can now be used to clean the drains in your home. You just need to couple this up with hot water, and you’re good to go.

• The liquid dish detergent and hot water combination work really well for kitchen sinks as this mixture can melt grease or fats in narrow pipes. If you’ve noticed your kitchen sink draining slowly, go ahead and try this strategy right away.

• To start, heat two liters of water and allow it to boil. Add in a few tablespoons of liquid dish detergent and use a metal spoon to mix. Slowly pour the mixture into your kitchen sink and then wash off with hot tap water. Repeat this step as often as necessary. Prepare several pans of liquid dish detergent and hot water especially if your drains have a huge amount of blockage.

4 Salt and hot water

If you’re looking for other strategies for cleaning your drains, salt can be found in the cupboard of every home, salt has an abrasive texture and acts as a scouring agen.

For this strategy, slowly pour one-half cup of salt down your drain. Let the salt sit in your pipes for a few minutes. Slowly pour hot water into your drain and then flush using tap water. If you notice your drainage is still not improving after the first round, repeat the process as necessary. Allocate several cups of salt and hot water for this strategy especially if your drains have been clogged for a longer period.

Any type of salt can be used for this, of course the cheaper the better as your not eating it!

5 Biological Enzyme Cleaner

If you want to save time and effort from mixing solutions to clean your drains, opt to use biological enzyme cleaners. This product can be purchased from your local hardware stores and different online stores. But since this product is made from several harmful chemicals, you should be careful in using this when cleaning your drains.

• You can use biological enzyme cleaners in your kitchen and bathroom drains. This product can effectively remove blockage made from grease and hair. The same product can also be used to regularly clean your drains and prevent any odor associated with a blockage.

• Biological enzyme products come with specific instructions. Make sure that you read the label and follow all of these with care. Generally, this product should be poured into your drains and left overnight. You can wash off the solution using hot water the next day.

• Biological enzyme products work because these contain enzymes and chemicals which eat through the organic material, melting the blockage. Once the blockage is dissolved, your pipes will be clear and can run smoothly again.

Prevention Is Key

Regularly check your drains and once you notice that these are draining slower than usual, try out the solutions from this article. These can go a long way to stop your need to call in a gutter cleaning specialist for a serious blockage.