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Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Climate
- Scottish Sun
I'm a Gardening pro – do these 6 tasks this weekend to fill your outside space with colour plus the time to water plants
Scroll down to learn how to win a Copper & Green water feature, worth £250 CHOP CHOP I'm a Gardening pro – do these 6 tasks this weekend to fill your outside space with colour plus the time to water plants Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH June starting tomorrow, it brings the promise of better weather and the longest day – but it can also bring a feeling of mild panic to gardeners. Whether it is worry about having planted enough seeds or what do to with all the overgrown bits, we have got lots of June jobs to get you organised. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Tackle key gardening jobs now to keep your plants in bloom the entire summer Credit: Getty THE CHELSEA CHOP This cutback is usually done around late May or early June, the same time as the Chelsea Flower Show. It means cutting back your herbaceous perennials — flowers with non-woody stems that come back year after year — by a third. This encourages a second flush of blooms and extends the flowering season. Good plants to practice on include Asters, Echinacea, Phlox, Sedum, Rudbeckia and Helenium. SOW SEEDS As the soil has warmed up, sow your seeds straight into the ground instead of messing around with pots. Broccoli, carrots, swede, beetroot, runner and French beans and sweetcorn can all go in now. Courgette can still be grown in pots for a later harvest. You can also scatter Nigella seeds on the soil for lovely blue flowers later in the season, and plant marigold and nasturtium seeds. WEEDING June is the month in which weeds flourish. A Hori Hori tool, below, is fantastic for getting them out, especially those with long roots. Just spending five minutes getting your hands dirty will make it feel much less tiresome and out of control — and is also good for your mental health. WATERING We have finally had rain but after months of dryness your garden still needs a in the early morning or late evening and avoid sprinkling the water all over the leaves. Concentrate on watering around the roots. BEDDING Fill your gaps with summer bedding but try to protect it from slugs and snails. Lobelia brings a lovely blue while fuchsias and petunias are always good around this time too. LAWNCARE Because it has been dry and warm, you need to raise the cutting level to avoid scorching. If you haven't already, apply a spring/summer lawn feed to provide nutrients for healthy growth. Or you could consider using a weed and feed fertilizer to control weeds while feeding your lawn. Saving tip 5 £42 Niwaki Mainichi Secateurs Credit: Niwaki Mainichi 5 Burgon & Ball's Flora brite version for £18 from B&Q Credit: B&Q BE precise in your Chelsea chop with these £42 Niwaki Mainichi Secateurs, top, or cut the price with Burgon & Ball's Flora brite version, below, for £18 from B&Q. Alan is garden chief 5 Alan Titchmarsh is set to take over a prestigious role from Dame Mary Berry Credit: Getty DAME Mary Berry is stepping down as the president of the National Garden Scheme after ten years – handing the baton to Alan Titchmarsh. The NGS helps gives visitors unique access to more than 3,300 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. Alan said: 'There is nothing quite like the National Garden Scheme, either in the world of gardens and horticulture or beyond. 'Not only does it offer thoroughly affordable enjoyment and education – while championing the varied gardening skills of the British nation – it also raises and distributes quite extraordinary sums of money.' To find out what National Gardening Scheme gardens are open this month or inquire about opening up your own garden, see Win! WE'VE got a stunning Copper & Green water feature, worth £250, to giveaway. It is handcrafted in the UK using traditional, power-free techniques – and showcases Copper & Green's signature copper lily, cascading bowls and leaves. To enter, visit or write to Sun Copper & Green Competition, Sun PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. Open to UK residents aged 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm, June 14, 2025. T&Cs apply. Kate is so rosy 5 A rose endorsed by Princess Kate will go on sale at B&Q later this year Credit: Splash News B&Q will be the main stockist of Catherine's Rose, bred by Harkness Roses and named after Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales. Launching in stores in late September, the rose seeks to raise awareness of the important role that spending time outdoors plays in bringing us joy. Funds from every sale of the rose will go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. - JOIN Hever Castle & Garden's historic rose tours – taking place June 23 to July 6. See
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
I'm a Gardening pro – do these 6 tasks this weekend to fill your outside space with colour plus the time to water plants
WITH June starting tomorrow, it brings the promise of better weather and the longest day – but it can also bring a feeling of mild panic to gardeners. Whether it is worry about having planted enough seeds or what do to with all the overgrown bits, we have got lots of June jobs to get you organised. 5 Tackle key gardening jobs now to keep your plants in bloom the entire summer Credit: Getty THE CHELSEA CHOP This cutback is usually done around late May or early June, the same time as the Chelsea Flower Show. It means cutting back your herbaceous perennials — flowers with non-woody stems that come back year after year — by a third. This encourages a second flush of blooms and extends the flowering season. Good plants to practice on include Asters, Echinacea, Phlox, Sedum, Rudbeckia and Helenium. SOW SEEDS As the soil has warmed up, sow your seeds straight into the ground instead of messing around with pots. Broccoli, carrots, swede, beetroot, runner and French beans and sweetcorn can all go in now. Courgette can still be grown in pots for a later harvest. You can also scatter Nigella seeds on the soil for lovely blue flowers later in the season, and plant marigold and nasturtium seeds. WEEDING June is the month in which weeds flourish. A Hori Hori tool, below, is fantastic for getting them out, especially those with long roots. Most read in Fabulous Just spending five minutes getting your hands dirty will make it feel much less tiresome and out of control — and is also good for your mental health . WATERING We have finally had rain but after months of dryness your garden still needs a in the early morning or late evening and avoid sprinkling the water all over the leaves. Concentrate on watering around the roots. BEDDING Fill your gaps with summer bedding but try to protect it from slugs and snails. Lobelia brings a lovely blue while fuchsias and petunias are always good around this time too. LAWNCARE Because it has been dry and warm, you need to raise the cutting level to avoid scorching. If you haven't already, apply a spring/summer lawn feed to provide nutrients for healthy growth. Or you could consider using a weed and feed fertilizer to control weeds while feeding your lawn. Saving tip 5 £42 Niwaki Mainichi Secateurs Credit: Niwaki Mainichi 5 Burgon & Ball's Flora brite version for £18 from B&Q Credit: B&Q BE precise in your Chelsea chop with these £42 Niwaki Mainichi Secateurs, top, or cut the price with Burgon & Ball's Flora brite version, below, for £18 from B&Q. Alan is garden chief 5 Alan Titchmarsh is set to take over a prestigious role from Dame Mary Berry Credit: Getty DAME Mary Berry is stepping down as the president of the National Garden Scheme after ten years – handing the baton to Alan Titchmarsh. The NGS helps gives visitors unique access to more than 3,300 exceptional private gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. Alan said: 'There is nothing quite like the National Garden Scheme, either in the world of gardens and horticulture or beyond. 'Not only does it offer thoroughly affordable enjoyment and education – while championing the varied gardening skills of the British nation – it also raises and distributes quite extraordinary sums of money.' To find out what National Gardening Scheme gardens are open this month or inquire about opening up your own garden, see Win! WE'VE got a stunning Copper & Green water feature, worth £250, to giveaway. It is handcrafted in the UK using traditional, power-free techniques – and showcases Copper & Green's signature copper lily, cascading bowls and leaves. To enter, visit Include your name, age, email or phone. Open to UK residents aged 18+ only. Entries close 11.59pm, June 14, 2025. T&Cs apply. Kate is so rosy 5 A rose endorsed by Princess Kate will go on sale at B&Q later this year Credit: Splash News B&Q will be the main stockist of Catherine's Rose, bred by Harkness Roses and named after Her Royal Highness, The Princess of Wales . Launching in stores in late September, the rose seeks to raise awareness of the important role that spending time outdoors plays in bringing us joy. Read more on the Irish Sun Funds from every sale of the rose will go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity . - JOIN Hever Castle & Garden's historic rose tours – taking place June 23 to July 6. See Learn! Q) I'VE just planted some hollyhocks and they are now covered in rust. Should l dig them out? Daphne Sharp, via email A) Did you grow them from seed or buy them as is? Are they absolutely covered? If they are really struggling you might be better to dig them out. You could try taking off the affected leaves and getting rid of them – not in your compost. They do still flower even if they're heavily infected, so you could try hiding the bad parts by planting other plants in front of them. Good luck.
Tom's Guide
07-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Tom's Guide
I'm a mom who loves gardening — here are 3 gifts I'd like to receive on Mother's Day
Move over chocolates and flowers, it's time to buy your mom a Mother's Day gift she can enjoy year after year. And if her favorite place to be is out and about in the yard, I have 3 ideas to keep her smiling and remembering you whenever she's out there. With Mother's Day approaching on May 11th, you've still got time to buy a gift with meaning, avoiding the last-minute rush to pick up a nondescript bouquet. What's more, your mom will appreciate the thought you've put into choosing a present that reflects her outdoor pastime. Whether your mum is planting vegetable crops in May or colorful flowers for a summer garden, these gardening tool ideas will add some extra zing to her time spent outside. You may like Colorful Mother's Day gifts for every gardening mom (Image credit: Shutterstock) One gardening brand I love is Burgon & Ball. The brand has a great track record of taking a functional tool, adding a touch of traditional and style, and making it greater than the sum of its parts. There's nearly 200 years behind the company, and in my opinion that heritage results in products that are finely crafted and built to last. For this reason, I'd be happy for my boys to buy me one of Burgon & Ball's gardening tools for Mother's Day. But even if they don't get the hint, I'd certainly recommend them to anyone out there who wants to upgrade their garden tools. 1. Gardening gloves (Image credit: Burgon & Ball) You really shouldn't let your mom go out into the yard without a pair of gardening gloves, otherwise instead of a French manicure, she'll end up with a gardener's 'special' manicure — soil underneath her fingertips! Apart from keeping her nails intact, gardening gloves will protect her hands from scratches, pests and other nasties. I'll be putting Burgon & Ball's Flora & Fauna gardening gloves on my Mother's Day wishlist. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. With an attractive design including birds and flowers, these gloves also offer a cushioned palm for comfort and a secured wrist to keep debris squirreling its way inside. What's more, they are washable too! For $24 from Amazon, they make a perfect gift. 2. Pruning shears Owning one of the best pruning shears is an essential piece of equipment to have in your garden toolkit, and that's why it's one of the best gifts to give mom on Mother's Day. Burgon & Ball's British Bloom Pruner and Holster Set is just $34 at Amazon, and is endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). The bypass pruner has a carbon steel blade and sits within a floral-patterned holster. And, if you're feeling extravagant, it can be purchased alongside other items in the collection, including Burgon & Ball's Pruning Scissors, $25 at Amazon. 3. Gardening trowel (Image credit: Future / Camilla Sharman) I've owned a fair number of gardening trowels in my time, and a few have got lost in the bushes. But there's not much chance of that happening if you opt for a trowel with a bright color handle. I've recently been using Burgon & Ball's Transplanter, in red, although I'd describe it as a pretty coral color — and it's one of my favorite gardening tools. Not only does it allow me to see how far I'm digging so that I transplant seedlings or bulbs at the correct depth, as it contains embossed markings for up to 4 inches, I can spot it wherever I am in my yard. There's no chance that this tool will get lost under a bush anytime soon. I also use it for other garden jobs, such as removing small weeds or adding soil to containers and fertilizer around plants. Apart from the color, which is a winner for me, the handle is pleasant to hold and offers a comfortable ergonomic fit. I also like the Burgon & Ball that's embossed on the back of the trowel and on the handle. Unfortunately, it's only available in the U.K. in this colorway, direct from Burgon & Ball at £11.99, but you can pick up a similar trowel in the U.S. with a navy handle for $24 at Amazon, although it doesn't have the depth markings. More from Tom's Guide
The Guardian
17-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
Beat brain rot: clear your mind with 55 screen-free activities, from birdwatching to colouring books
I'm sure many of us are guilty of relying on our phones to decompress, even when taking some downtime. But if your social media feeds are anything like mine – an endless stream of fad workouts, meal plans and extravagant skincare routines – it's more likely to whip you into an anxious frenzy than leave you feeling calm and relaxed. Whether you have social media anxiety, insomnia or are just terrified by the idea of 'brain rot', you need a way to de-stress that doesn't involve a screen, especially when many of us stare at one all day for work or school. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. I'm sure we're all familiar with the concept of mindfulness and how the practice can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and boost concentration. But you might not realise how easy it is to incorporate it into your everyday life – after all, at its core, mindfulness is just about keeping yourself in the present moment. So to help you do just that, I've compiled a list of screen-free activities to help you clear your mind, get outside (if the weather allows) and be more mindful, without meditating. It's hardly new information that immersing yourself in nature can positively affect your mental health. But exposure to the great outdoors isn't the only benefit of gardening – all that planting, pruning and weeding is also a great way to calm your mind and focus on the present. So, whether you have a back garden, allotment or a few plant pots to tend to, here are some tools to help you get stuck in. Three-month vegetable seed subscription £36 at Not on the High Street£36 at Virgin Experience Days Among the most therapeutic and satisfying parts of gardening is growing your own plants or crops. Start a vegetable patch with three deliveries of four seasonal vegetable seeds, from Swiss chard to chillies. Each pack comes with tailored growing instructions for each vegetable, making it a great option for beginners. Burgon & Ball bypass secateurs £23 at Farrar & Tanner If your garden is in need of a tidy-up, you'll no doubt need a trusty pair of secateurs. When Matt Collins, head gardener at London's Garden Museum, put the best pairs of secateurs to the test, this surprisingly affordable model from Burgon & Ball came out on top. Niwaki hori hori knife £39 at Burford Garden knives are among the most versatile tools in any gardener's arsenal, taking on weeding, planting and digging (to name a few of their uses). Experts swear by the Niwaki hori hori knife. For more gardening inspiration, check out our guide to getting your garden ready for summer Bulb planting augers From £5.59 at Crocus Level up your garden with these gamechanging augers that make it easier to plant bulbs. Velvet gladioli collection £34.50 for 90 corms at Sarah Raven If you want to plant some bulbs now, these gorgeous gladioli would make an excellent addition to any garden, and you can expect them to flower from July. Copper gardening tools From £49 at Burford For a satisfying gardening experience, you need the right tools. Gardening expert Alys Fowler says these copper gardening tools are 'a joy to handle, lightweight and comfortable, and the more you use it, the more the copper shines'. Large terrarium DIY kit £52.49 at Debenhams£69.99 at Argos If you're not lucky enough to have a garden, you can still reap the calming benefits of gardening with a terrarium. This DIY kit comes with the glass bowl terrarium as well as charcoal, gravel, sand and rocks to get you started. Then you can buy some terrarium plants of your choice to create a perfect miniature garden. For more expert recommendations, check out our guide to the best gardening tools The focus needed to complete jigsaw puzzles can stop your thoughts from wandering elsewhere and help you stay in the now. Find one that fits your interests, whether you're a Wes Anderson fan or an avid cook. Accidentally Wes Anderson 1,000-piece jigsaw £16.26 at AbeBooks£18.39 at WH Smith Piece together a gallery wall featuring framed pictures of locations that capture the aesthetic of film director Wes Anderson. Michael Storrings Cherry Blossoms 1,000-piece jigsaw £13.45 at Hive£14.99 at WH Smith A beautiful scene of cherry blossoms in a Washington DC park by award-winning illustrator Michael Storrings. Cooked 1,000-piece jigsaw £14.35 at Hive£18.99 at Amazon Complete this puzzle to reveal a collection of your favourite chefs' cookbooks designed by illustrator Harriet Thomas-Bush. The world of Jane Austen 1,000-piece jigsaw £16.99 at the Guardian Bookshop£16.99 at Waterstones Step into the world of Jane Austen and celebrate the 250th anniversary of her birth with this puzzle inspired by her life and works. If your children tend to be glued to a TV, phone or tablet, entice them away with a puzzle of their favourite characters. Jigsaws are thought to help children develop their hand-eye coordination and problem-solving skills. Paddington 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle £7.50 at Argos Paddington gets around, whether that's having tea with the late queen or getting up to mischief in Peru. If your kids love the films, then perhaps a Paddington puzzle is just the thing to give them a screen break. Stitch 3D puzzle £9.99 at Argos£14.99 at Ravensburger If they're more of a Disney fan, they might enjoy this 3D Stitch puzzle, a really fun take on a traditional jigsaw. Bluey 4 in a box jigsaws £5.59 at John Lewis£5.59 at Amazon For younger ones, this set comes with four puzzles featuring scenes from the kids' cartoon Bluey. The jigsaws range from 12 to 24 pieces, so they can gradually build up their puzzle skills. Birdwatching and observing wildlife in general are other ways to relax and unwind in the great outdoors. Try reconnecting with nature by sitting in your garden or a park and watching any birds, insects or other animals that cross your path. RSPB Cabin nest box £25 at RSPB Entice more birds into your garden with this sweet bird house, perfect for species such as blue tits, house sparrows and nuthatches to set up camp. Hand-crafted in the UK using FSC-certified timber, the side panel of the house opens so you can carefully empty it at the end of nesting season and make room for the next occupant. Roosting pockets £15 for three at RSPB These handmade roosting pockets are made from natural materials and offer a safe shelter for small birds. They come with two different-sized holes that you can switch between depending on the size of bird you wish to attract. Our Garden Birds £14.99 at the Guardian Bookshop£9.99 at Amazon This beautifully illustrated book of British garden birds offers a whimsical tool for identifying all the species you spot. RSPB Birding Journal £15 at RSPB If you need somewhere to keep track of your observations, this birdwatchers' journal from the RSPB is the perfect place to keep notes. Plus, it's made of 100% recycled paper. Nikon Monarch M7 binoculars 8x30 £319 at John Lewis£319 at Jessops If birdwatching is an activity you'd like to do more of, then investing in a good pair of binoculars could really enhance your experience. When researching the best for beginners, this pair from Nikon cropped up again and again on birdwatching forums and blogs. It has 8x magnification and offers a wide field of view so you can track moving birds more easily. Celestron Nature DX 10x42 £159.99 at Argos£159 at London Camera Exchange If you're not ready for such a big investment just yet, this more affordable pair of binoculars is also highly recommended by birdwatchers. The design is waterproof and fog-proof, making it ideal for use even during April showers. Children's Nature Trail Journal £4.95 at Rex London£4.95 at Hive Get kids excited about nature with their own journal. This book is full of illustrations of animals, plants and insects that may be found along a British nature trail, with room to make notes of everything you spot. Colouring isn't just for kids: it's seen a real rise in popularity among adults in recent years, with many people claiming the pastime helps them to relieve stress and focus on the present moment. Manchester colouring book £14.99 at Etsy£14.99 at Colour Your Streets Colour Your Streets has a range of books filled with landmarks from cities, counties and areas around the UK and abroad. From Barcelona to York, dozens of places are covered, so there's sure to be a book for somewhere meaningful to you. Coco Wyo colouring book £7.42 at Amazon Coco Wyo's colouring books have become popular with adults thanks to their cute and comforting scenes. Immersing yourself in these books will no doubt soothe your inner child and leave you feeling cosy. Mindfulness colouring book for adults £6.43 at WH Smith£3.49 at Amazon If you're after something with a more mature feel, intricate patterns like those in this book take more focus and help you to stay in the moment. Let your kids colour outside the lines with colouring books, sticker mosaics and crystal art kits that nurture their creativity and keep them off their phones. Jumbo doodle chalk £6 at John Lewis For those fair-weather days, encourage them to take their creativity outside with jumbo chalks that are perfect for drawing on pavements. British Museum: Around the World colouring book £6.99 at Blackwells£6.43 at Amazon From an ancient Greek marketplace to a traditional dragon parade, scenes inspired by the British Museum's artefacts are the canvas in this book. Football Heroes colouring book £7.35 at WH Smith From Messi to Haaland, bring football heroes to life with this 80-page colouring book filled with legends of the game. Sloth crystal art kit £19.99 at Craft Buddy A modern take on paint-by-numbers, this canvas reveals an adorable image of a sloth once you place the coloured crystals on to their corresponding places. Animal kaleidoscope sticker mosaics £4 at Hobby Craft Use the different neon stickers to complete these kaleidoscopic wildlife mosaics. This set comes with 32 pages to keep your kids occupied. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion For a satisfying colouring experience, make sure you choose the right tools. Pencils are better for beginners thanks to their finer tips, which offer more control. They're also better for building colour and creating shading, which can allow you to be more creative with your colouring. Alternatively, felt tips are better for creating more vibrant pictures, and many come with dual tips, allowing you to cover large areas quickly and do finer details. 36 colouring pencils £9.99 at Ryman£10 at Argos 120-pencil set £19.19 at Amazon 48 colour alcohol-based pens £38.99 at Amazon 80 graphic dual-tip markers £12.85 at Art Discount Staying present is already a big part of yoga, but why not take your practice outside for that extra serotonin boost? Lululemon 5mm yoga mat £88 at Lululemon Whether you want to stretch it out on the beach, at the park or in a forest, a thicker yoga mat will keep you comfortable on uneven surfaces or help to flatten down thick grass. This mat from Lululemon is 5mm thick and made with FSC-certified rubber, so it can be easily wiped down after outdoor use. Nonslip jute travel mat £57.99 at Complete Unity Yoga£65.55 at Etsy If you want a more portable mat, this travel one can be rolled up or folded, so you can easily transport it wherever you want. It's made from jute fabric and sustainably harvested natural tree rubber. Journaling is great if you're hoping to practise gratitude as well as mindfulness. A journal with prompts is helpful for beginners who aren't sure where to start, but if you just want an outlet for your thoughts with no structure, then go for a blank notebook. Gratitude journal £26 at Papier Papier's gratitude journal contains daily prompts and activities to help you feel grateful even after a bad day. It also comes in various colours, so you can find one that suits you. The Calm Workbook £20 at the Guardian Bookshop£15 at Blackwells A workbook full of exercises and prompts to encourage self-compassion and help build a calming routine into your daily life. MindJournal £10.99 at the Guardian Bookshop Aimed at men, the MindJournal contains writing exercises to help you understand how to look after yourself and help build a healthier and happier life. Journaling isn't just an outlet for adults, it can also help children to better understand their feelings and improve their emotional regulation. Find a journal aimed at kids and encourage them to have a quiet moment to reflect on how they feel. HappySelf Junior journal £24.90 at HappySelf Journal Created for six- to 12-year-olds, this journal is intended to be used for a few minutes each day. It's designed to encourage gratitude and reflection on emotions. Big Life Journal for kids £24.90 at Big Life Journal The Big Life Journal aims to teach children how to believe in themselves, face challenges and grow from their mistakes through stories, illustrations and activities. Recommended for ages seven to 10. Lego has been around since the 1930s, and it's as popular as ever. Share it with the next generation and get a set you can build together (you might even enjoy it more than they do). With sets aimed at various age groups, it's the perfect activity to keep restless hands busy and help hone concentration skills. R2-D2 £66.99 at John Lewis£89.99 at Lego This 1,050-piece R2D2 is the perfect dose of nostalgia for grownups and a fun activity for kids aged 10+. Wild Animals: Panda Family £27.99 at John Lewis£34.99 at Lego From Lego's Wild Animal range, this adorable panda family comes in 626 pieces and is aimed at children 8+. Beekeepers' House and Flower Garden £89.99 at Lego£90 at Argos This super-cute beekeeper's house will keep them entertained even after it's built, doubling up as a doll's house. Aimed at kids 12 and older, this set comes in 1,161 pieces. From landmarks and buildings to animals and plants, there are seemingly endless Lego sets for adults. And just like jigsaws, the repetitive but mentally engaging activity can help to clear your mind. The Botanical Garden £289.99 at Lego Put together this 3,792-piece set to reveal a beautiful botanical garden with 35 different plant species. Tuxedo cat £89.99 at Lego£90 at Argos This furry friend comes in 1,710 pieces and can be built into different poses – puurfect for cat lovers. Wildflower bouquet £43.99 at John Lewis£54.99 at Lego For flowers that will last for ever, check out Lego's range of buildable bouquets and plants. Studies have shown that combining mindfulness and physical exercise can improve your mental health more than either practice alone. With this in mind, running is great for helping to clear your mind while also improving your cardiovascular health. Get outside for a run and try to focus on not letting your mind wander. Kiprun hydration running belt £14.99 at Decathlon This handy running belt is perfect for keeping your keys, phone and a small drink on you. For more, read our guide to the best gifts for runners New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 Shoes £160 at New BalanceFrom £152.20 at Amazon If you predominantly run on roads or pathways, try these trainers from New Balance. They were deemed the best trainers for road runs in our guide to the best running shoes. Asics Trabuco Max 4 £160 for women's at Asics£160 for men's at Asics If you're more likely to run on rough terrain or nature trails, the Asics Trabuco Max 4s come highly recommended for trail runs. Puzzle books are a great way to work out and distract your brain. Whether you want an achievable challenge or something that takes a bit more thought, there are plenty of options from sudoku to word searches. The Mindfulness Puzzle Book £9.99 at the Guardian Bookshop£9.19 at WH Smith Wind down your mind with this book of fun and achievable activities designed to relax you. Wordle Challenge Puzzle Book £7.99 at the Guardian Bookshop£7.99 at Waterstones Remember Wordle? If you've been hooked on this addictive word-guessing game, try the puzzle book version so you can play without adding to your screen time. Guardian sudoku and crossword books From £7.99 at the Guardian Bookshop For puzzle traditionalists, you can't beat a sudoku or crossword to train your brain. This Guardian collection of classic puzzles is a good place to start. If your kids could benefit from something more challenging than relaxing, then puzzle books are a good way to go. Get them flexing their mental muscles with fun but stimulating riddles, mazes and mysteries. I Spy Spooky Night picture riddle book £13.94 at Amazon Take a trip through a haunted house filled with spooky riddles. Each page contains a creepy scene in which rhyming riddles must be solved to locate objects. Fun for all ages thanks to the varying difficulties of each page. Planet Earth Mazes puzzle book £7.99 at Usborne Mazes that become increasingly harder, set in scenes around the world – from piles of recycling to the rainforest. This book is a brilliant way for kids to learn about the planet while honing their focus skills. Murdle Junior: Curious Crimes for Curious Minds £5.99 at Scholastic£7.49 at Waterstones Filled with code-breaking, map-reading and maze-solving puzzles, this junior edition of the popular Murdle books will keep them entertained while they practice their problem-solving skills.
The Guardian
11-04-2025
- General
- The Guardian
The best secateurs to save you time and effort when pruning your garden, tested
Secateurs are the single most valued tool in the gardener's trug, an implement as personally prized as the bricklayer's trowel. With time, their weight and shape wear familiarly into the hand, becoming a companionable tool for all garden tasks, from pruning woody shrubs and cutting back perennials to slicing twine and preparing cut flowers. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. There are two main types of secateurs, bypass and anvil. The latter comprises a single blade that cuts against a flat, blunt surface, designed for cutting tougher, woodier or dead stems. Bypass secateurs – by far the most commonly used of the two, and what I've focused on here – comprise two blades that pass each other closely, providing a clean and accurate cut. These secateurs tackle the everyday things: lighter shrub pruning, deadheading, slicing twine and so on. If well looked after (see below), a quality pair of bypass secateurs can last decades; as a result, gardeners declare staunch loyalties to particular models. I was introduced to a brand early on in my gardening career and have used the same one for more than 15 years, so it's high time I stepped out of my comfort zone and considered some new candidates. To help me, and you, navigate a bewildering number of models – and with the arrival of spring – I put 12 pairs through their paces. Here are the nine best secateurs from my tests. Best secateurs overall: Burgon & Ball bypass secateurs£23 at Farrar & Tanner Best secateurs for tough stems: Felco Model 2£64.99 at B&Q Best budget secateurs: Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Advantage bypass secateurs£9.95 at Amazon Best secateurs for comfort: Niwaki GR Pro£84 at Burford Garden Co In my almost two decades as a professional gardener, I have encountered every possible use for a trusty pair of secateurs – from sculptural pruning to paint tin opening (ill-advised). I know the strain they're often put under and what is required of a durable pair. I'm also something of a neat freak: if a stem or branch can be cut to smarten a scene, I'll likely have chopped it five minutes ago. My day-to-day as head gardener at London's Garden Museum includes anything from shaping shrubs and sprucing perennials to snipping stems for indoor flower arrangements. My role also entails leading a hearty and commendable crew of regular volunteers of all ages, who will be the recipients of these secateurs. With spring in the air, the time for cutting back perennials and grasses in advance of new growth, I took each pair to task in my own garden. I tidied up the small stuff first: old aster stems, scrappy libertia leaves, brittle mounds of purple moor-grass. While affordability, maintainability and sleek appearance are all considerations when selecting secateurs, for me, there are four key criteria they ought to meet. The first is sharpness. If ever I am frustrated with a pair of secateurs, it is most likely due to their failure to cut through finer plant material: slender or fibrous flower stems, the matted hair of ornamental grasses. The second criterion concerns how well they cut through thicker stems: small shrub branches, roses, the hardened stalk of a sunflower. This is as much down to the body of the secateurs as the blade. With plenty of living and lignified hazel, elder and buddleia around the garden, I tested each pair on various tougher materials. The third important consideration is comfort: handles are everything. Whether or not a pair feels securely gripped in the hand comes down to the coating, be it plastic, rubber or metal. Comfort, however, tends to be dictated by their shape and girth. The fourth is the catch lock. Being able to lock secateur blades shut with ease is crucial. Left open they become a hazard, the sharp blade easily knocked against or catching a finger. Most secateurs are configured with a catch easily manoeuvred with the thumb; in some models, this is substituted with a latching lock at the bottom of the handles. Convenience makes all the difference, as locking is frequent between cuts. There is one other factor I thought was worth testing: visibility. Secateurs are frequently put down, dropped or absent-mindedly stowed, and therefore easily lost. So, a level of conspicuousness can help, and some brands have opted for vibrant, standout colours. To test this, I asked our five-year-old to do what five-year-olds do best and lose each pair, one by one, in the garden – under parental supervision, of course. My wife timed my subsequent searches. £23 at Farrar & Tanner£20.99 at Tesco Despite alloy handles, a carbon-steel blade and an endorsement from the Royal Horticultural Society, I didn't expect a workaday pair of secateurs like Burgon & Ball's to top the lot. They're not only sharp, robust and comfortable but also reasonably priced: a mid-range contender that jostles with the premier pruners. Why we love itOn the surface, there's nothing extraordinary about these secateurs. In appearance, they adopt a look recognisable in many other brands – the long shaft, swivelling thumb clasp, volute spring and indented handles. However, these unremarkable features are put together remarkably well: in the hand, Burgon & Ball's secateurs feel comfortable, lightweight and well-balanced, while the blade had little trouble slicing through matted grass and larger stems alike. When cutting 2cm+ diameter material, you might need to apply some brute force – or consider the loppers – but for anything below, these make light, easy and precise work. They stood out well in the visibility test, too. Owing to the intentionally conspicuous orange of the handles, it took a mere 17 seconds for me to locate them in the garden (half hidden beneath a cistus shrub). They're also built with maintenance in mind: the blade and spring can be removed for cleaning or replacing (they come supplied with a spare of each, though I'm not sure whether that's reassuring or disconcerting!). All in all, an excellent, robust and comfortable model that, even after long use, doesn't strain the hands and wrists. It's a shame that … the screw head on the blade has been left exposed – it's sure to collect mud. Max cutting diameter: up to 2.5cmLeft handed available? Yes (£22.95 at Amazon) £64.99 at B&Q£55.55 at Amazon Swiss company Felco is among the best known of all secateur brands. Individually numbered, its series of red-handled pruners ranges from compact, professional and premium models to left-handed and rotating-handled options. Model 2 is its original, classic pair, hyped by working and amateur gardeners. Why we love itThere's an undeniable heft to Felco secateurs that offers reassurance: going at the thicker growth of my rampant buddleia, I never doubted the robustness of the body or the force behind the blade. Felco was founded in 1945 and operated out of an old watch dial factory – so the origin story goes. It introduced clockwork precision and finesse to the rugged world of garden maintenance (it also makes loppers, knives and saws). Its tools are made from 70% recycled aluminium and any steel it uses is 95% recycled alloy. All parts can be replaced and the company offers a reconditioning service: secateurs for life, in theory. When put to the test on the small stuff, the blades cut cleanly each time, never folding or squashing material in that annoying way that secateurs sometimes can. They felt nicely balanced and undemanding on the wrist, the handles pleasantly cushioned by rounded rubber pads. The thumb clasp is second to none, and there's no two ways about it, that blazing red was engineered for prominence: it took me all of six seconds to spy the pair hidden among the plant pots. It's a shame that … they're just not quite as affordable as other brands. Max cutting diameter: 2.5cmLeft handed available? No £18.95 at Tooled Up£9.95 at Amazon Possibly the most simply designed and hard-working budget secateurs I've had the pleasure of trying, Spear & Jackson's economic offering is a genuine gem. The quality of performance is a level above their station. Why we love itWith any budget item, there will be inevitable compromises. When it comes to secateurs, however, the element you least want to sacrifice is the quality of the blade, and this, clearly, is what Spear & Jackson prioritised with its Razorsharp Advantage bypass secateurs. The carbon steel blade is durable and smooth and glides neatly beside its chrome counterpart for a faultless cut. The drawbacks lie elsewhere: the basic coil spring; the lightweight plastic handles; and I wasn't wild about the lock slider at the top. However, they're extremely comfortable for the price – no mean feat in the world of secateurs – and the 10-year guarantee aids confidence. Cutting a mixture of grasses and perennials, the Razorsharp Advantage secateurs delivered a satisfyingly smooth 'chop', and handled most shrubby material well, provided it wasn't too large. Aesthetically speaking, I'd say they look pretty good, too: no frills, but no clumsy components either. Spear & Jackson doesn't offer a reconditioning service, though it does offer advice on cleaning and restoring secateur blades. It's a shame that … they're not just a little tougher with larger material. Max cutting diameter: 1.5cmLeft handed available? No £84 at Burford Garden Co£92.40 at Amazon You're not just purchasing a pair of secateurs here: you're subscribing to a certain quality, comfort and aesthetic in a gardening hand tool. Niwaki's bestselling secateurs are a masterclass in elegance and functionality. Why we love it Spy a gardening colleague unsheathing any one of Niwaki's sleekly designed, uber-refined tools, and you know they're not messing around. The brand is the brainchild of Wiltshire-based founder Jake Hobson, and it adheres to the traditions of Japanese tool craft, producing primarily Japan-made hand tools that are as beautiful as they are useful. Professional gardeners swear by the GR Pro secateurs for good reason. For one, my goodness, do they feel good. There's a balance in the palm that I've genuinely never felt before, and although there are no finger indentations on the handle, they are ingeniously shaped for support. When you open them up, the stylish central spring pushes apart the handles (and, by proxy, the blades) to just the right extent, stabilising them pleasantly in your hand and presenting a wide mouth to the material at hand. Indeed, the top blade itself is noticeably larger than most: unusually for secateurs, it neatly meets the bottom of the corresponding bypass. Practically speaking, the cut is unreal. True to the Japanese heritage, the GR Pro's blades cut so cleanly that I got sidetracked shaping leaves to within a millimetre. Similarly, they handled the shrubby stuff with comparative ease. So what's the snag, you might ask? For me, it's the catch lock. Located at the bottom of the handles, locking and unlocking becomes a little more cumbersome than with a thumb clasp. Perhaps this is a matter of practice, though – when I queried a gardening pal on how she locks hers, she pinged me a video demonstrating a swift knock against the leg – apparently so intuitive a knack she's never actually realised she does it. As for visibility: sure, with their muted yellow handles they took a fraction longer to spot among the perennials. Let's face it, though: you're unlikely to let these covetable cutters out of your sight in the first place. Niwaki doesn't offer secateur blade replacements but it does have a secateur sharpening service. And it supplies replacement springs – the GR Pro comes with one. It's a shame that … it takes two hands to unlock them, and they're on the more expensive side. Everything else is perfection. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Max cutting diameter: 1.5cmLeft handed available? Yes (£89 at the Plant Centre) £52.95 at B&Q£43.99 at Amazon Best for: elegance and precision at a more affordable price Similar in body to Niwaki's GR Pro, Okatsune's 103 secateurs are sleek and slim, and deliver just as proficiently when it comes to the snip. Okatsune is a Japan-based manufacturer conceived by a former blacksmith. It boasts blades made from the same steel from which Samurai swords are fashioned: a confidence boost for sure when it comes to keenness and durability. I particularly liked the red-and-white colouration of the handles, which, according to Okatsune, symbolises happiness in Japan. I liked the more affordable price tag, too. It didn't make the final cut because … they feel just a little top-heavy in the hand, with the blade ever so slightly outweighing the handles. Max cutting diameter: 2.5cmLeft handed available? No £7.99 at Amazon Best for: a satisfying snip Gardeners will concur that there is no one generic 'snip' sound common to all secateurs; each has its signature slice. As is implicit in the name, JiveSnip's uniquely satisfying snip is the product of its titanium blade, which severs smaller diameter garden material with a curiously pleasing feel – worth the price alone. The other, less subtle distinguishing feature of these secateurs is their overtly padded handles, which, according to the manufacturer's blurb, provide non-slip, fatigue-free pruning. Excepting larger, woodier material, I found this to be true enough, though I imagine they may collect soil with extended use. It didn't make the final cut because … the handle grips are just a little too spongy for my liking. Max cutting diameter: 2cmLeft handed available? No £17.99 at Charlies£20.95 at B&Q Best for: deadheading Darlac produces a range of bypass secateurs, but I was intrigued by its Cut'n'Hold pruners in particular, contrived with a clasp function intended to ease deadheading and cut-flower gathering. Closing in unison with the adjacent bypass blades, the lightly serrated clasp will hold a stem in place while the blades sever it from the plant. Rather brilliantly, I found this works as effectively for soft, slight stems (eg pulmonaria, geranium) as for woodier examples such as rosemary and helichrysum, each time keeping hold of the stem until released. Add to that a nice metal top clasp (at last, a top clasp that works smoothly!), comfortable handles and Felco-like red visibility, and you've got a really solid, if slightly niche, pair of secateurs. It didn't make the final cut because … I found that offcuts can occasionally trap between the clasp and the blade. Max cutting diameter: 2cmLeft handed available? No £14.99 at Marshalls Garden£14.99 at Bents Best for: small hands and surprising strength Trialling a few Kent & Stowe mid-price secateurs, I'd intended to review its all-purpose Eversharp model. However, I was so impressed with its more compact mini pair, I had to give them a shoutout instead. The big surprise here is that, despite the low price and dainty size (17cm in length), this little model can tackle stems that have proven challenging for average-size secateurs. The snip is clean, the grip is fast and the handles are rigid: an excellent pair for delicate propagative work and rigorous chopping alike. But, buyers take heed: dressed in muted greys and earthy brown handles, this little wonder is liable to vanish into the undergrowth if dropped – it took me the longest to find by a good minute. It didn't make the final cut because … the catch lock is somewhat fiddly, which might be expected for so compact a pair of secateurs. Max cutting diameter: 1.5cmLeft handed available? No £114.99 (bare tool) at Ryobi Tools£122 (bare tool) at B&Q Best for: effortless pruning and for those requiring cutting assistance A few electric-assisted secateurs are available, with companies such as Stihl and Worx throwing their hats into the ring. However, Ryobi's cordless 18V One+ model is among the most competitively priced. If, like me, you've not tried electric sheers before, you're in for a novel experience. Activated and deactivated with a hold of the trigger, once you get snipping it's addictive – without restraint, beloved shrubs will soon be reduced to kindling. Comfortable and unexpectedly precise, this is a fantastic option for thicker stems, and for those who require some assistance with their pruning. You'll need to buy a battery and charger, and safety glasses are advisable, all available from Ryobi. It didn't make the final cut because … it wouldn't be fair – this one's got an 18V battery! Max cutting diameter: 2.5cmLeft handed available? No, but they are ambidextrous The key to prolonging the life of any pair of bypass secateurs is to keep them clean, oiled and sharp. After rigorous use, wipe away any soil or debris from the body and blade using a damp cloth. If there's a detachable central spring, remove this and clean inside it. Using a whetstone, carefully sharpen the edge of the blade before wiping it with another clean, oiled cloth. Finish by oiling the clasp and spring for a smooth action. Some secateur suppliers offer a maintenance service. Felco does this with a 28-day turnaround, returning your pair by post fully restored and sharpened. Lastly, it may look a little dorky, but a secateur holster – worn on the belt – will help ensure your cherished pair is kept dry and clean, and safely stowed after each use. Matt Collins is a garden, nature and travel writer, and head gardener at the Garden Museum in London
