Desert Landscaping Tools for Rock and Caliche
Tools for spreading rock, breaking caliche, planting in hard soil and lighting a desert yard.
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Desert landscaping is mostly rock, hard soil and a few well-placed plants. Much of the Valley sits on caliche, a cement-like layer that stops shovels and drowns plant roots, so the right digging tools matter as much as the plants. Lighting rounds it out, because summer evenings are when Arizona yards get used.
Fiskars Pro IsoCore 14-inch 2-in-1 pickaxe
Fiskars
Best for: Breaking caliche and hard, rocky soil
- 14-inch
- 2-in-1 pick and mattock head
TCBWFY auger drill bit for planting
TCBWFY
Best for: Drilling planting holes in hard soil with a cordless drill
- Fits a power drill
Walensee heavy-duty dual-sided bow rake
Walensee
Best for: Spreading and leveling decorative rock and DG
- Dual-sided head
LAVEVE heavy-duty weed barrier fabric
LAVEVE
Best for: Going under decorative rock to slow weeds
- Heavy duty
Soil moisture meter
Unbranded
Best for: Checking soil before you water, to stop overwatering
- Probe-style meter
SUNVIE all-in-one LED low-voltage landscape lighting kit
SUNVIE
Best for: Lighting paths and plants for summer evenings
- Low-voltage LED
- All-in-one kit
NYMPHY solar pathway lights
NYMPHY
Best for: Path lights with no wiring
- Solar powered
- Waterproof
Buying guides
Essential yard tools for new Arizona homeowners
The short list of yard tools a new Arizona homeowner actually needs: watering, pruning, weed and scorpion basics, and a few tools for rock yards.
Best tools for installing decorative rock
The tools for a DIY decorative rock or DG project in Arizona: weed barrier, rakes, carts and the digging tools for caliche.
Best weed control tools for Arizona yards
How to stay ahead of Arizona weeds: pullers, pre-emergent and barrier fabric for the winter and monsoon weed seasons.
Best garden tools for desert gardening
Pruners, raised beds, soil tests, compost and frost cloth for gardening in Arizona's alkaline soil and desert climate.
All yard tools & gear · Rather hire it out? Find a licensed landscaper