I asked a DIY pro what tools I need to get my yard in gear — he had genius picks

Who's that slowly scooping soil with a trowel? Not you! This shovel works like a power drill, letting you dig deep into the ground with minimal effort. Chip loves how lightweight it is and that it comes with a guard and motor that's powerful enough to chisel through clay and rock. "It's also a great tool to cultivate raised planters and loosen soil before planting larger areas like for veggie gardens," he says.

Rather than relying on metal bristles, which can potentially break off and get into your food, this (dishwasher-safe!) grill brush harnesses the power of steam to get your grates gleaming. To use it, you just dunk it in water and run it over a pre-heated grill. "It's very clean and easy," says Chip. 

You might not think of sandpaper when you think of yard projects, but it comes in handy anytime you want to remove splinters or refinish anything wood that's been sitting out in the elements. Chip also uses sandpaper for cleaning and polishing metal tools. "You get what you pay for with sandpaper, and let's be honest, we don't want to have to work that hard," says Chip. "This product uses advanced engineering in the material and flexibility of the sheets to make sanding less effort with great results." It comes in many different grits so you can find the one right for your job.

This little gray dustpan-style attachment takes any five-gallon bucket from Clark Kent to Superman. "It makes a bucket super versatile and is great for cleaning, painting and easy storage," says Chip. All you have to do is clip it onto your bucket's lip, and the scooped design makes it easier to collect yard waste and pour water without splashing.

Shrubs looking shabby? "This is a small but mighty tool that is very comfortable to use, even if you have small hands," says Chip. At less than two pounds, it's light enough that you won't get tired holding this tool "like you can with larger trimmers," he adds. He uses the longer blade on large or medium shrubs and fruit trees; the shorter one comes in handy for trimming grass and plants around flower beds and trees. 

Blasting dirt with a pressure washer is one of the most satisfying ways to get outdoor surfaces clean, but these tools are often big and bulky and may pack more power than you really need. This battery-powered pick delivers 320 PSI of pressure and connects to any water source, including your everyday garden hose. "I keep one of these on my hose all the time to give a little extra punch when I'm washing cars or rinsing things off," says Chip. "It's great for cleaning boats as well because it is not too strong and you can drop the hose in the lake and it will pull up water."

Chip is all about protective gear, but no one wants to sweat it out under bulky padding on a summer's day. "It always gets hot when you are string trimming, so I love to wear shorts, but typically string trimming will tear up your legs. These guards are so lightweight, you can hardly tell you're wearing them," he says. "They're good for anything where material is getting thrown around." The coated vinyl mesh means they're durable and a Velcro strap makes them easy to adjust.

This tire inflator isn't just for car tires — Chip uses it for all kind of outdoor gear, including bikes and balls. "You just dial in the air pressure and go. It doesn't get simpler," he says. "Plus it's super compact and cost effective enough that you could keep one in every vehicle."

When it's warm out, fans are a DIYers best friend. While many tool brands make versions, Chip prefers this ceiling-mounted model from Mule because, although it's a splurge, it's high quality and versatile. "I love that it's multi-speed and has an option for adding work lights," he says. "It's also easy and fast to install, perfect for a garage or shop."

This rechargeable jump starter packs a serious punch, with 500 watts of household power, a 120 PSI air compressor for inflating tires and a USB charger to boot. "I keep one of these in all my vehicles, but it's also an excellent portable power source for other items around the house, like your lawn mower."