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The Guardian
05-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
From the perfect gardening tools to £8 mascara, what you loved most this month
The year always seems to pick up pace in spring, with the big house and garden tidy-up becoming all-consuming. The early spring sunshine has been wonderful (for those of us lucky enough to have seen some), though it does accelerate the pressure to ready your garden for the summer ahead. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. I spent winter trying not to look out of the window, fearing that most of the plants I'd optimistically bought last summer wouldn't make it. So it's a wonderful feeling to have the garden open up again – and many of you seem to agree. We were taken aback by the popularity of our pieces on how to get your garden ready for summer and the best secateurs to help you with the spring tidy. It's also time to dust the cobwebs off your summer wardrobe, and perhaps breathe new life into it with a few fresh items, whether that's a 'sexy spring sweater', some viral barrel-leg trousers or an £8 mascara. (Or, if you prefer to shop secondhand, read our recent guide to buying vintage clothing.) L'Oréal Paradise Big Deal volumising mascara £8 at Amazon Former beauty editor and self-proclaimed mascara obsessive Sabine Wiesel has been on a lifelong hunt for the best mascaras. After retesting 25 of her favourites and five of the latest launches, she pulled together her ultimate edit for the Filter. 'Even those who consider themselves low-maintenance usually own a mascara,' she says. 'It seems no one is immune to how effortlessly eye-framing a few coats can be.' That's certainly true of Filter readers: Sabine's bargain pick has been one of the fastest-selling products we've ever recommended, after she 'fell for this mascara at first swipe'. Spear & Jackson Razorsharp Advantage bypass secateurs £9.95 at Amazon 'Secateurs are the single most valued tool in the gardener's trug, an implement as personally prized as the bricklayer's trowel,' says Matt Collins, head gardener at London's Garden Museum, in our roundup of the best secateurs. They're particularly important in spring, 'the time for cutting back perennials and grasses in advance of new growth'. These Spear & Jackson secateurs are 'the most simply designed and hard-working budget secateurs I've had the pleasure of trying', says Matt – and they've also been the most popular with our bargain-loving readers. Niwaki hori hori knife £32.95 at Sarah Raven Ask any professional gardener about their favourite tool and you'll hear repeatedly about the hori hori knife. Once again, gardening experts chose the hori hori as one of their favourite tools for getting your garden summer-ready: 'It's perfect for digging, cutting, weeding and planting, so you can get loads done even on a quick stroll or lunch break,' said garden designer Lulu Roper-Caldbeck. Boden Enid embroidered jumper £112 at John Lewis 'I have so much love for a sexy jumper,' says Jess Cartner-Morley in her April style essentials. 'Not easy to find, which is why 'sexy jumper' sounds a bit like an oxymoron,' she adds, but perfect for cooler evenings where you want a special top that doesn't give you goose bumps. 'I'd wear this out for dinner with a black cami underneath.' Biona organic coconut milk £11.95 for 6 x 400ml at Amazon 'Buying a good-quality [coconut milk] – as opposed to one bolstered with sweeteners, emulsifiers and stabilisers – often makes the difference between a great dish and a bad one,' said restaurateur Ravinder Bhogal in her coconut milk taste test. So, of course, our readers' favourite was 'the Ferrari of coconut milks' from Biona, with 50% organic coconut and water the only ingredients. Jersey trousers £34.90 at Uniqlo First chosen by Jess Cartner-Morley as a way to look posh on a budget, these viral Uniqlo barrel-leg trousers were the most popular pick in our guide to women's spring wardrobe essentials. We're not surprised, as they're so immensely wearable: both 'casual enough for every day and smart enough for the office'. 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 Anker Nano £29.99 at Anker 'Quick, convenient and small enough to carry in a trouser pocket,' this teeny 102g power bank impressed our reviewer Pete Wise in his test of the best power banks. 'No other power bank strikes the same balance between impressive charging speed and portability,' he says. 'It's the perfect fallback for the person whose phone never quite manages to stay powered through the day.' Its 5,000mAh capacity should be enough to give most phones a good top-up. Altruist sunscreen SPF50 £27.95 for 1 litre at Amazon 'Without sunscreen, every anti-ageing skincare product is pointless,' says Sali Hughes in her ultimate guide to anti-ageing. This litre bottle from dermatologist-founded Altruist may seem expensive, but it 'represents, millilitre for millilitre, some of the best value high-quality, broad-spectrum sunscreen on the market'. Glaze Clear conditioning gloss £15.99 at Amazon Hayley Spencer asked the experts which beauty treatments are safe (and easy) to DIY at home – and 'glass hair' was deemed achievable (as long as there's no colour in it). 'There's nothing like that salon-fresh feeling of bouncy, shiny locks that have just been dyed,' she says. 'After about a month, though, you'll likely find that your hair looks a tad lacklustre. It's probably because the gloss treatment, which coats the hair cuticles and adds nourishment and shine, has worn off.' Glaze's Clear conditioning gloss can be used on dry hair and takes just 10 minutes to develop, giving your hair that 'glass' shine at home. Rattantree shock-absorbing treadmill £142.49 at Debenhams Obviously no substitute for a walk outside in nature, but under-desk treadmills have become increasingly popular as a way to boost your daily steps while stuck at your desk. This Rattantree model is particularly accessible, at £142.49: 'It's a mega-value, fairly generic option that hails from China,' says fitness fanatic Leon Poultney in our roundup of the best walking pads. 'It's no surprise that it doesn't offer all the bells and whistles of its pricier rivals. The build quality isn't fantastic, but it is lightweight, an absolute doddle to use and covers the basics required by most working walkers.' Rainbow bud vase From £12.50 at Etsy A reader favourite from our roundup of colourful pick-me-ups to elevate your everyday, this bright and cheerful vase is designed to hold a single stem, or at most a small clutch of them. It's an easy way to liven up your home on a budget. This one 'turns the splatterware trend all the way up to 11', according to fashion writer Ellie Violet Bramley.
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
