Summer backyard maintenance made easier than ever with STIHL

It got off to a shaky start with unseasonably wet, windy weather but the great kiwi summer has finally arrived and now's the time to tackle all those outdoor chores and projects – turning your lawn and garden into the best in the street.

We all know that a clever worker is only as good as his or her tools. STIHL has an extensive range of quality petrol and battery products designed to make planning and maintaining a good-looking section simple and straightforward, leaving homeowners time to relax and enjoy the fruit of their labours.

Common undertakings on Kiwi sections, both large and small, at this time of year include mowing the perfect lawn. The only way to get a perfect foot-friendly finish is by ensuring your mower blades are up to the task.

If the blades are blunt, you'll get a shabby and uneven result so it's vital to have them sharpened regularly. Maybe it's time for a new state-of-the-art STIHL Battery mower, with NZ's most extensive range to choose from.

DIYers can get even better results for their efforts in the garden by dealing with weeds and edges using a line trimmer. These super-handy gadgets make light work of many tasks, but you need to be careful.

If a line trimmer whips the bark at the base, you can end up with a half dead tree, and that's something nobody wants to see. STIHL's experts suggest using a guard or at least keeping the nylon well away from the trunk when pruning.

Also, on the to-do list in summer is trimming the hedge, and after enduring so much wet weather many of us will feel as if we're fighting a leafy-green 'runaway train', with new shoots popping out all over the place.

Once again, using the right tools will help avoid trouble and here's a handy hint: For a perfectly straight hedge, tie a string between two points at the ends of the hedge and cut a few centimetres above the string.

If your hedge is especially tall, using a STIHL long-reach hedge trimmer reduces the need for ladders, and thereby ensures safety. After all, nobody wants to spend precious time in a hospital waiting room when the sun's shining outside!

Once the section's been whipped into shape, washing the house is another very gratifying activity, and helps to preserve paintwork by removing dirt build-up.

The best way of controlling the strength of the water jet is by keeping your distance at the start – far away from the surface – then slowly move closer until the dirt is obviously coming off. Don't get too close though or you'll risk damaging your paintwork.

Spring is the best time to prepare your firewood for next season, ensuring it has plenty of time to dry. STIHL advises using one of their much-loved chainsaws and making sure you have an extra chain on hand. That way, if the original chain gets damaged – on a nail, for example, you can fit the new one and continue working, without major interruption.

Pick up more useful tips and tricks with Stihl's handy how-to videos at stihlshop.co.nz