Q:

I’m interested in two lawn- and yard-related topics that I’d appreciate your thoughts on. First, I’m considering making the switch to battery-powered tools. What are some of the latest considerations there? And second, with how wet of a summer it’s been, I’m curious about rainwater collection and how that works.

A:

These are good (and timely) subjects to discuss — let’s tackle them one at a time.

Going electric

I got my first battery-powered push mower in 2019 (still going strong today), and the industry has only grown from there. In fact, across many products, battery-powered (we’ll also refer to them as “electric”) models outsell their gas equivalents.

As new electric tools hit the market and as the technology keeps improving, one increasingly important factor is battery compatibility among devices.

Basically, if you see yourself investing in multiple electric tools over time, you can likely use a single battery/charger across many of them — maybe even all if you commit to buying from the same manufacturer. Instead of needing to buy the tool, a battery and a charger every time you’re adding to your collection, you could just purchase the tool and take advantage of a battery/charger you already have. This saves money, space and potentially headaches from having to track down the right charger for each item’s battery.

Keep in mind, it might help to ultimately have at least two batteries for your tools. You can use one while the other charges up, and you’ll never be stuck waiting to get to (or complete) your work.

One other trend we’re seeing is that many of the brands that started building more traditional yard equipment (mowers, trimmers, blowers, etc.) are branching out into what you might call recreational technologies (think fans, speakers and area lights). And these too can be powered with those same batteries.

It’s important to be aware, however, that manufacturers often produce multiple battery systems with different voltages and amperages. Batteries with varying voltages are not interchangeable; batteries with varying amp ratings (and the same voltage) are.

In other words, a 40-volt battery used for an electric chainsaw would not be compatible with a riding mower that relies on a 60-volt setup, even if the products are from the same maker. But that same chainsaw could use a 40-volt battery with a 2.5 amp-hour (Ah) rating or a 5.0 Ah rating.

Catching rain

Rainwater collection, or harvesting, is a great idea that can come with financial, environmental and other benefits.

The practice is relatively straightforward, though there are several decisions to think through. In a typical residential design, a rain barrel (or cistern for larger water demands) collects water runoff — often directed via gutters and downspouts — from your roof and stores it for the future.

During a dry spell with little to no rain, the stored water can then be controlled through an outlet valve, pipe, pump or hose for things like gardening, irrigating, feeding livestock/animals, landscaping, Slip ‘n Sliding and more.

Ideally the barrel/cistern is located near an existing downspout and near where you envision using the water to reduce the need for pumping. Depending on use, water filtration may also be necessary.

That’s really it in a nutshell, though again, there are particular details to think through — from planning and installation to maintenance and upkeep — that we don’t have room to cover here. If rainwater collection is something you decide to pursue, I’d recommend visiting NC State Extension to get more into the weeds (pun intended).