Architectural landscaping involves transforming the outdoor environment to complement and enhance the architectural design of a site. Preparing the landscaping site is a critical phase that ensures the land is suitable for planting, construction of features, and aesthetic development. In Kenya, where varied terrain and natural conditions affect construction projects, effective site preparation is essential for durable and visually appealing landscaping. This chapter focuses on the removal of rocks, boulders, and vegetation, which are common obstacles in site preparation for landscaping around buildings, public spaces, and institutional grounds.

3.1 Tools and equipment assembling.

Assembling tools and equipment means identifying, collecting, checking and preparing every hand tool and implement needed for landscaping site work before the work begins. Having the right tools on site, in good condition and in sufficient numbers, keeps workers productive, reduces accidents and avoids delays caused by broken or missing tools. Assembling involves counting tools against the number of workers, inspecting blades and handles, sharpening cutting edges, tightening loose parts and arranging safe transport and storage on site. Example: before clearing and preparing the grounds of a new county library, the site supervisor lists the tools for twelve workers, checks each one in the store, sharpens the pangas and replaces two cracked jembe handles.

3.1.1 Pangas

A panga is a broad, heavy steel cutting blade with a wooden or plastic handle, used for clearing bush, cutting grass and shrubs, splitting light poles and general site cutting. It is one of the most common hand tools on Kenyan landscaping sites because it is cheap, versatile and easy to sharpen. A good panga has a straight, sharp edge, a firm handle securely riveted to the tang and enough weight to cut through stems in one or two strokes. Example: the grounds team of a primary school uses pangas to clear overgrown bush along the school fence before a new hedge is planted.

Checks when assembling pangas

• Edge sharpness: The blade should be sharp along its whole length; blunt pangas need more force and cause fatigue.
• Handle condition: The handle must be firm, uncracked and smooth so it does not slip or cause blisters.
• Rivets and tang: Rivets should be tight so the blade cannot come loose during a swing.
• Blade straightness: Bent blades should be straightened or replaced, as they cut poorly.
• Rust: Surface rust should be cleaned off and the blade lightly oiled.
• Sheath or cover: A cover protects the edge and workers during transport.

Steps for preparing a panga for use

1. Inspect the panga: Check the blade, handle and rivets for damage.
2. Clean the blade: Remove dirt, sap and rust with a wire brush or cloth.
3. Secure the panga: Hold it firmly in a vice or on a block so the edge faces away from you.
4. Sharpen the edge: File from the back of the blade towards the edge at a steady angle, working along the full length.
5. Remove the burr: Turn the panga over and file lightly to remove the rough burr.
6. Test the edge: Carefully cut a stick or blade of grass to check sharpness.
7. Oil and store: Wipe a thin coat of oil on the blade and cover the edge before transport.

3.1.2 Jembes

A jembe is a broad-bladed hoe with a long wooden handle, used for digging, breaking soil, cultivating, weeding, mixing manure into soil and spreading soil. It is the main digging tool on most Kenyan landscaping and farming sites, valued for its simplicity and low cost. Jembes come in plain-blade and forked (multi-pronged) forms, the forked jembe being better for breaking hard or stony ground. Example: workers preparing flower beds at a county referral hospital use plain jembes to break and level the soil and forked jembes for the compacted areas near the car park.

Checks when assembling jembes

• Head fixing: The blade must be tight on the handle, secured with a wedge if needed.
• Handle condition: Handles must be straight, smooth and free from splits.
• Blade edge: The working edge should be reasonably sharp to cut into the soil easily.
• Prongs: Forked jembe prongs should be straight and unbroken.
• Number of tools: Enough jembes for every digger, plus spares.
• Cleanliness: Soil and rust are removed so the blade cuts cleanly.

3.1.3 Shovels

A shovel is a hand tool with a broad, slightly dished steel blade and a handle, used for lifting and moving loose materials such as soil, sand, gravel, manure and concrete. Shovels are essential in landscaping for loading wheelbarrows, backfilling trenches, spreading topsoil and mixing concrete for paths and edging. Round-point shovels dig into soil more easily, while square-point shovels are better for scooping loose material from a flat surface. Example: a landscaping contractor working on a hotel garden uses square-point shovels to load topsoil from a stockpile into wheelbarrows and round-point shovels to dig planting pits.

Checks when assembling shovels

• Blade condition: No cracks, holes or bends in the blade.
• Handle fixing: The handle must be firmly fixed into the socket with rivets or screws.
• Handle length: Suitable for the work and the height of the user to avoid back strain.
• Edge: The leading edge should be straight and clean for easy penetration.
• Grip: D-handles and grips should be unbroken and smooth.
• Correct type: The right shovel type is chosen for each task.

3.1.4 Plows

A plow (plough) is an implement used to cut, lift and turn over soil to prepare land for planting, either pulled by oxen, by a tractor or pushed by a small engine. On landscaping sites, plows are used where large areas such as sports fields, lawns and parks must be cultivated, because they turn the soil far faster than hand tools. Assembling plows involves checking the share, mouldboard and frame, adjusting the working depth and ensuring the power source is ready. Example: a dairy farm developing a new landscaped compound around its offices hires an ox-plough team to break 1.2 hectares of hard ground before grass is planted.

Checks when assembling plows

• Share sharpness: The cutting share should be sharp and not badly worn.
• Frame and bolts: All bolts tight and the frame free from cracks.
• Depth setting: The depth wheel or hitch is adjusted for the required ploughing depth.
• Hitching gear: Yokes, chains or tractor linkages are in good condition.
• Power source: Oxen are healthy and trained, or the tractor or tiller is fuelled and serviced.
• Spare parts: Spare shares, bolts and pins are available on site.

Worked example: ploughing time

Days needed = area ÷ area ploughed per day

The area is 1.2 ha and an ox-plough team ploughs about 0.4 ha per day.

Days needed = 1.2 ÷ 0.4

Days needed = 3 days

3.1.5 Husks

Husks, in landscaping site work, are the hooked cutting tools used for cutting grass, weeds and light vegetation, commonly called slashers, slashing hooks, sickles and bill hooks. Their curved blades gather and cut stems in a sweeping or hooking action, which makes them efficient for clearing grass and trimming hedges where a straight panga would be awkward. They are light, cheap and easy to sharpen, and they are used before and after site preparation to keep vegetation under control. Example: the groundsmen of a teachers' training college use slashers to cut the long grass on the sports field before it is ploughed and levelled.

Checks when assembling husks

• Edge sharpness: The curved edge must be sharp along its full length.
• Handle security: The blade must be firmly fixed to the handle.
• Blade condition: No cracks or bends in the blade.
• Correct size: Long-handled slashers for large grass areas, short sickles for close work.
• Edge covers: Blades are covered during transport to prevent injuries.
• Spare tools: Extra tools are available if one breaks.

3.1.6 Rakes

A rake is a long-handled tool with a cross bar of teeth or tines, used to gather debris, level soil, break small clods, spread mulch and collect cut grass and leaves. In landscaping, rakes give the final finish to beds and lawn areas before planting, producing a smooth, even surface. Rakes with rigid steel teeth are used for levelling soil, while flexible leaf rakes gather light material without damaging grass. Example: workers preparing a new lawn at a SACCO's office compound use steel garden rakes to level the topsoil and remove stones before laying the grass.

Checks when assembling rakes

• Teeth or tines: None missing, bent or broken.
• Head fixing: The head must be firmly attached to the handle.
• Handle condition: Smooth and free from splits.
• Correct type: Rigid rakes for soil, flexible rakes for leaves.
• Safe storage: Rakes are stored with teeth facing down or hung up so no one steps on them.
• Quantity: Enough rakes for the finishing team.

3.1.7 Wheelbarrows

A wheelbarrow is a hand-pushed cart with a single wheel at the front, a tray and two handles, used to carry soil, manure, stones, plants, tools and debris around the site. It allows one worker to move far heavier loads than could be carried by hand, and it is essential for moving materials between stockpiles, planting areas and disposal points. Most site wheelbarrows have steel trays of about 65 to 90 litres and pneumatic tyres for rough ground. Example: during the landscaping of a church compound, four wheelbarrows are used to move 2 m³ of compost from the delivery point to the flower beds.

Checks when assembling wheelbarrows

• Tyre: Properly inflated and not punctured, so the barrow rolls easily.
• Wheel bearing: The wheel turns freely without wobbling.
• Tray: No holes, cracks or sharp edges.
• Handles and grips: Firm, straight and with grips in place.
• Legs and stays: Bolts tight so the barrow is stable when standing.
• Load capacity: Barrows are not overloaded beyond their rated capacity.

Worked example: number of wheelbarrow trips

Number of trips = volume of material ÷ wheelbarrow capacity

The church needs 2 m³ of compost moved, and each wheelbarrow carries 0.08 m³ (80 litres).

Number of trips = 2 ÷ 0.08

Number of trips = 25 trips

With four wheelbarrows: 25 ÷ 4 = 6.25, about 7 trips each

3.1.8 Machetes

A machete is a long, narrow-bladed cutting tool, lighter and longer than a panga, used for cutting grass, vines, small branches and thick undergrowth with a fast swinging action. It is suited to clearing dense vegetation where reach and speed matter more than weight, and for trimming and shaping plants. Machetes come in several blade shapes, from straight general-purpose blades to curved and hooked blades for particular vegetation. Example: a landscaping crew clearing overgrown vines and creepers from the boundary of a coastal resort uses machetes to reach into the dense growth quickly.

Checks when assembling machetes

• Sharp edge: The blade is sharpened evenly along its length.
• Handle grip: The handle is firm and gives a secure grip, even with wet hands.
• Blade fixing: Rivets are tight and the blade does not move in the handle.
• Blade condition: No cracks, chips or bends.
• Sheaths available: Every machete has a sheath for carrying.
• Protective equipment: Gloves, boots and eye protection are issued to users.

Safety rules for cutting tools on site

• Keep a safe distance: Workers using pangas, machetes and slashers keep at least two arm's lengths from others.
• Cut away from the body: Swing and cut so the blade moves away from your legs and hands.
• Wear protective gear: Boots, gloves and leg guards reduce injury from slips and flying debris.
• Carry safely: Carry cutting tools with the edge down and covered.
• Store securely: Lock tools away after work and count them in and out.

Chapter Summary

This chapter covered the preparation of an architectural landscaping site, beginning with the assessment and use of essential hand tools such as pangas, jembes, shovels, plows, husks, rakes, wheelbarrows, and machetes, each playing a vital role in initial site clearing and soil management. It then explored methods for removing rocks and boulders, detailing manual, mechanical, and blasting techniques to ensure a clear and workable ground. The removal of vegetation was addressed through manual, mechanical, and chemical control using herbicides, followed by ploughing methods both manual and mechanical to condition the soil for planting. The chapter also discussed the application of manure on the site, highlighting direct application and composting as key approaches to improve soil fertility. Finally, excavation processes were examined, including manual and mechanical excavation, with an emphasis on different types such as shallow, deep, oversite, and utility trenching, all critical for shaping and preparing the site to meet landscaping design requirements.