Garden and Outdoor Equipment: Seasonal Buying Guide

Garden equipment is highly seasonal, both in price and availability — knowing when to buy and what to check can save real money on secondhand mowers, trimmers, and outdoor furniture.

Timing your purchase

• Prices for lawnmowers, trimmers, and other lawn care equipment tend to be lower in autumn and winter, when demand drops.
• Outdoor furniture and garden structures often become available (and cheaper) in early autumn, as sellers clear space before winter.
• Snow removal equipment follows the opposite pattern — best value is typically found in spring and summer.

What to check on petrol-powered equipment

• Ask when it was last serviced and whether it starts easily — starting issues are one of the most common problems with stored petrol equipment.
• Check the condition of blades, cutting lines, or other wear parts, since replacement parts add to the real cost of a "cheap" machine.
• Ask about fuel type requirements and whether the equipment has been stored with fuel left in the tank over winter, which can cause issues.

What to check on electric and battery equipment

• Ask about battery age and remaining capacity for cordless tools.
• Check cords and casings for weather damage if the item has been stored outdoors.

Outdoor furniture specifics

Check for rust on metal frames, rot or splitting on wood, and UV fading or cracking on plastic and resin pieces — outdoor furniture takes weather damage that isn't always obvious in listing photos taken at a flattering angle.