Read by Michael Flamel

My son Ryan—ever the cutting-edge landscaper and my go-to source for what’s hot in horticulture—recently let me in on a secret: gas-powered tools are quickly becoming the dinosaurs of the landscaping world.

While the crew maintaining the grounds where I live still fires up an orchestra of gas-powered leaf blowers, trimmers, and mowers that could rival a Formula 1 pit lane, Ryan has quietly re-equipped his personal gardening toolbox with an all-electric lineup. His pride and joy? A sleek, whisper-quiet battery-powered lawnmower that glides over the grass like it’s floating on a cloud.

As I’ve shared before, some of my happiest memories involve passing down my lawn care skills to both my sons. I can still picture their determined adolescent faces guiding our big orange Husqvarna lawn tractor that weighed as much as a small boulder. Fast-forward a couple of decades and now, I’m the one learning from Ryan. He describes the act of mowing with his new electric mower as “next-level peaceful”—a near meditative state where all you hear are the birds and the gentle hum of progress. The Zen of lawn mowing? I’m intrigued.

Quiet Revolution: The Rise of Battery-Powered Tools

It turns out Ryan’s not alone. According to industry reports, sales of battery-powered outdoor equipment in the U.S. have grown nearly 75 percent over the past five years. In 2024, over 55 percent of all new walk-behind lawn mowers sold were battery-powered, and adoption continues to accelerate as more homeowners embrace eco-friendliness and quiet operation.

Why the shift? Here are a few reasons:

• Noise Reduction: Battery-powered tools typically run at half the decibels of their gas-powered counterparts.
• Zero Emissions: Unlike gas engines, these tools produce no tailpipe emissions, making them much better for the planet—and your lungs.
• Less Maintenance: No more oil changes, spark plugs, or finicky fuel mixtures.
• Push-Button Start: Say goodbye to yanking on a stubborn starter cord 17 times in the Summer heat.

Thinking of Going Electric? Here’s Some Advice

If you’re toying with the idea of adding a battery-powered lawnmower to your shed—or finally ditching your noisy two-stroke trimmer—here are a few tips:

• Look for Interchangeable Battery Systems. Many brands now offer a family of tools (mower, trimmer, blower, chainsaw, etc.) that all run on the same battery pack.
• Check Run Time and Charging Speed. Most high-quality mowers offer 45–60 minutes of run time, which is more than enough for the average lawn.
• Consider a Self-Propelled Model. Some newer electric mowers include this feature, which makes mowing effortless—especially on hills.
• Store Batteries Smartly. Keep them in a cool, dry place and avoid leaving them on the charger once full to extend battery life.
• Test Drive if You Can. Some garden centers let you take a spin before you commit. You’ll be surprised at how light and nimble they feel.

More Tools to Electrify Your Garden Game

Alongside the mower, consider these other plug-free wonders:

• String Trimmers: Excellent for trimming edges and much quieter
• Hedge Trimmers: Lightweight and perfect for shaping those boxwoods
• Leaf Blowers: Surprisingly powerful and great for quick cleanups
• Chainsaws: For occasional pruning or firewood, cordless chainsaws are incredibly handy and far less intimidating

As I sit back and watch Ryan masterfully manicure his lawn in near silence, I can’t help but smile. Maybe it’s not just the grass that’s greener on the other side—it’s the technology, too.

Thanks for hanging out with me—Don Nicholas, your intrepid gardening reporter, always on the hunt for the next big thing in backyard bliss. Whether it’s tomatoes, topiary, or turbo-charged turf tools, I’m here to keep you up to speed. ❖

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