A rod mechanism for a garden tool having a main body includes a first rod pivotally connected to the main body and movable between an in-use position and a storage position. A locking component engages the main body to lock the first rod in one of the in-use position and the storage position. An actuator moves between a released position and a triggered position, the actuator when in the triggered position unlocking the locking component from the main body, the actuator when in the released position orienting the locking component so as to be lockable to the main body. A second rod connected to the first rod moves to a preset position allowing the actuator to move to one of the triggered position or the released position. A position sensor on the main body generates a sensing signal when the first rod pivots to at least one of the in-use position and the storage position.