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Gen X-Approved Home & Garden Essentials for the Solo Homeowner
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items Solo homeowner since before it was a lifestyle. These are the home and garden products a Gen X woman actually uses to keep her space running beautifully — without help.
Sections
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Home & Garden Care Products That Make My Life Better
Everything You Need for Pool Season
Home & Garden Care Products That Make My Life Better
These are products I personally use to maintain my lawn and garden.
Love my little countertop garden. Nurture them and watch them grow. Great to teach kids. Dirt and bug free it's clean eating. Try hydro to table. Great for fresh herbs.
SUNCOZE Hydroponics 12 Pods Indoor Garden
Maintenance free & Reliable Electric Mower. No cords, no gas, no maintenance and no fumes. Just charge and go. Easy start up every time, no cord pulling.
Greenworks clean and easy no fuss 16" Cordless Lawn Mower 4.0Ah
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Stainless-steel, smooth, and kink free hose for your home and garden. Coils smoothly for hassle-free storage. I've thrown away two or three hoses because they all kinked, and they all tore up over time and were basically garbage. This hose was so goo...
75ft Stainless Steel No Kink Garden Hose. This thing will NOT kink, I've tried. It's fantastic. All metal exterior also means no cuts. I threw out 3 old hoses after I found this one. I bought 2.
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Privacy fence with beauty factor. Enhance privacy with a natural looking, pretty and expandable privacy hedge. Secure with included zip ties to your posts, balcony or fencing for instant privacy. You can see in my photo it blocks out the neighbors an...
Instant Privacy & Beauty; Expandable & Pretty Faux Ivy Privacy Fence. Use on balconies, decks, fences and posts.
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The most fun weeder you'll ever use. I ended up doing my entire lawn when I first got it because it was just so satisfying to pull out every weed for my lawn. Safer than herbicide and more efficient than manual extraction. This one is a no brainer ho...
Stand Up Weed Puller with Long Handle & Trigger
This weed wacker gets the job done quick. Battery means no maintenance and no gas.
CRAFTSMAN V20 Cordless String Trimmer & Edger
This thing really sells itself and I know why. I had 2 cats and I have hardwood, tile and carpeted floors. This works on all of it. I actually bought it for my carpeted steps where the full sizse vacuum is just too inconvenient. It has interchangeabl...
Dyson V11 Origin Cordless Vacuum, 185AW, 60 Min
Last purchased 3 years ago. I use this on my rose of sharon and azalea. Works great. Safety button for the blade. See my video on my Pinterest account. Great product.
Edward Tools Harden Folding Pruning Saw 7”
Greenworks brand, reliable. String trimmer (weed wacker) tackles those thick weeds and does edging too.
80V 16" Cordless Battery String Trimmer( .095 line) w/ 2.0 Ah Battery & 4.0Amp Charger
Clean energy, no gas. Rechargable battery has enough power to get the job done. Add this to your greenworks collection.
60V 550 CFM Cordless Battery Backpack Blower w/ 5.0Ah Battery & Charger
Versatile 2 in 1 tool. (battery is separate) Blow the leaves into a corner then vacuum them all up. I use it to clean out the leaves and dirt from my garage and shed then vacuum up debris from my rock mulch. I also use on my gutters.
40V 505 CFM Cordless Battery BL Leaf Blower/Vacuum (Tool Only)
This manual edger is a nice alternative when you don't feel like pulling out the string trimmer. Easy to hold and handle with a little lip that makes it easier for you to step on to create those nice sharp edges for a great looking flower bed.
Half Moon Edger
So a neighbor told me about this product. On the side of my house that doesn't get sun, I started seeing some mildew forming, and I was actually washing it by hand with a long handled brush. I'm five foot one, so as you can imagine.I was only able to...
30 Seconds 64 oz. Outdoor Ready-To-Spray Cleaner 6430SJ
I get grubs and beatles, which is super annoying.When you're trying to enjoy your outdoor space and pool. I'm frugal minded and don't like to pay for lawn services that I know I can do myself.So I bought a bag of this and put it all over the lawn are...
St. Gabriel Organics Milky Spore Granular Organic Grub and Insect Control Granules 15 lb
They no longer make the model I bought (Item #3072001 | Model #KBH04A1) and this is the closest I could find. When you own a home, a ladder really comes in handy-especially when you're 5'1". I've used this to paint, to put things on my fence and clea...
Kobalt 3 -Step 250-lb Capacity Aluminum Foldable Step Stool Lowes.com
I bought this 2nd hand. I use the vacuum for leaves in my rock gravel. It cuts up the leaves into smaller pieces. I use the blower to clean out the garage (leaves, salt, bugs) and to clean out my shed (so much easier than sweeping) This is one of tho...
Toro Ultra Blower Corded Electric Handheld Leaf Blower/Shredder & Vac!
Love this product. This isn't a bug zapper. It sucks them in with a fan and they die of “natural causes”. I got an outdoor extension cord and it works great. I put it on the other side of the pool, away from my loungers and the bugs stay away. No zap...
Dynatrap Dynatrap 1/2 Acre Outdoor Flying Insect Trap DT1130
Love my recliner. It swivels, rocks and reclines! Sturdy. Comfortable enough to fall asleep in.
Red Barrel Studio® Outsunny Outdoor Wicker Swivel Recliner Chair
I've had my Weber for 12 years, and it's still going strong. It's an excellent brand name. I've used mine every summer since 2013. My friend had hers for probably 15-20 years before she decided to upgrade. Best grill for a solo person.
Weber Q1200 1 Burner Liquid Propane Grill Titanium Mfr# 51060001
I keep this in my shed. I use it when I pull weeds in the garden to save my knees. Also use it when planting things in my flower beds. You we'll get so much use out of this.You can also bring it inside for tasks like scrubbing the tub, or anytime you...
Dimple High-Density Thick Foam Kneeling Pad
These string lights changed the entire feel of the space at night. Configure to your garden space. Lights can hang or run straight from pole to pole. Easy to set up, no tools needed. Lights have differen modes like blinking, twinkling for different f...
4 Pack Outdoor String Lights with 10ft Poles
Love this bin. Not only does it go with my outside decor, it's sturdy and holds up to the elements. It's handy for when I'm in the garden and need to toss my weeds and trash. I put it away in the winter to protect from ice snow, but it would probably...
Suncast 33 Gallon Outdoor Trashcan with Lid
This is my drill and I love it! A must as a homeowner. Very sturdy and reliable.
RIDGID 8 Amp 3/8 in. Corded Drill/Driver R70011
Everything You Need for Pool Season
Owning a pool solo means you're the one handling everything — maintenance, safety, and making it actually enjoyable. This list covers it all: the tools that make upkeep manageable, the safety gear worth having, and the fun stuff that makes your backy...
One of the best purchases I've made for my pool maintenance. Recommended in a Facebook group, I bought it and love it. Reusable filter bags saves money. Just turn it on and start vacuuming. Will pick up leaves, sticks, bugs etc. No more heavy and ann...
2026 POOL BLASTER Max Cordless Vacuum
Tired of fighting dead creatures in your pool? Then this is a must. I didn't find this for years as I fished out dead mice, voles, frogs and more over the years! No more dead things since I started using this. Just inflate a little and put them in. E...
Animal Saving Escape Ramp for Pools & Spas (2 pack)
Skimmer handle means open it without touching beetles, centipedes and other gross bugs. Anything that saves me from bending and helps my back is a winner. Easily lift out your skimmer basket.
Pool Skimmer Basket Handle, Universal
Love these loungers. Got them in 2021 and they have held up well. Quick scrub at the start of the season and they look new. No chipping or wearing (and I leave them out all winter) They come in boxes and you assemble yourself. I did 3 of them and the...
POLYWOOD Nautical Stackable White HDPE Frame Stationary Chaise Lounge Chair with Slat Seat
This will catch things before it gets to your filter, saving your filter life. These are also reusable (saving you $$)
100 Pack Pool Skimmer Socks Ultra Fine Mesh
Just got this last week to replace my old broken one. Sleek looking. Solar powered, easy and large digital screen. Just take out of the box and put into your pool. Perfect.
Pircaath 2026 Solar Pool Thermometer LCD
A must if you have a chlorinator. These tabs are individually wrapped and last a few seasons. Put them in your chlorinator for a crystal clear and algae free pool for the summer. Amazon Prime delivery means you don't have to drive, pick up, put in yo...
In The Swim 3" Stabilized Chlorine Tablets 50lb
So after having a pool for many years, I discovered this company through a Facebook pool group. Best test kit I have ever used.Don't buy those cheap ones that you get at some of the local pool stores. You can test your c.Y.A.Levels, and they use a d ...
TF-100 Test Kit
I bought my float about 2 or 3 seasons ago. This brand seems very good. The latex is thick and hard to puncture. I blow it up once and it stays firm for the entire season.
Intex Color Whirl Pool Float Tube 48 inch
I wasn't sure if I should put this here, but it made sense to me. This website has been invaluable. I learned of it through a Facebook group for in-ground pool owners. If you are new to having a pool, I'd suggest you start here. They have a pool scho...
Trouble Free Pool (website)