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Telegraph
17-07-2025
- General
- Telegraph
The best garden shredders for making mulch and compost
The products or services listed have been independently tested by our journalists. We will earn a commission from the affiliate links in this article. If you have a large or overgrown garden, it's worth making space for a garden shredder. Transforming clippings into chippings speeds up composting, as the smaller matter breaks down more easily. Shredded waste also makes excellent mulch, which keeps beds tidy and reduces the load on your green-waste bin, potentially saving you a few trips to the tip. Shredders range from £90 to £340, but using one for compost or mulch can save money in the long run. We tested leading models – including Stihl, Draper and Bosch – on a working flower farm. As a florist, I have a constant supply of branches and stems, making it easy to test these machines thoroughly and look for any useful design features. All testing took place in June 2025 and we update this guide regularly. Here are the best in a quick list. The best garden shredders: At a glance How to choose the best garden shredder From their specifications alone, it can be hard to judge one garden waste shredder from another. So, we tested nine from market-leading brands to help guide your choice. All are electric impact shredders, operating either through mains power or a battery. Revolving blades chop as the cuttings pass through. We have avoided heavy-duty garden or roller shredders designed for branches and timber. These models pull in branches and crush them against a blade. They tend to be larger and more expensive. Taking that into account, these are the other factors to consider: Power supply: Your garden size matters but more critical is access to an outdoor power outlet or an extension lead. No power nearby? Battery power is probably more practical. Ease of assembly and use: Simple instructions and clear parts make a big difference. Materials: Consider what you'll be shredding. Some models suit dry steams, other hands fibrous waste better. Noise levels: Weigh up whether you want a quieter, more neighbour-friendly shredder, or one that prioritises power. Similar in volume to a lawn mower, the shredders below ranged from 60 to 90 dB, meaning they can all be considered 'quiet garden shredders'. Dimensions: Double-check the dimensions. If shed or garage space is limited, compact models are worth prioritising. How we test garden shredders As a flower-grower and a florist, I regularly deal with garden waste, from cut stems to woody branches, making it easy to test garden shredders in real-world conditions. I gathered a typical mix of foliage and stems from my flower plot and workshop, avoiding large timber or very leafy, wet material. I tested each shredder using safety goggles, gloves and secateurs (useful for trimming thicker stems before shredding). I then scored each one using a consistent set of criteria. Here is what I considered: Set up: Was it complex, did it take long and were all instructions clear? Ease of use and safety: Could I load it easily, start and stop it quickly and clear blockages without fuss? I noted safety locks and stability issues. Design: I looked at shredder type, noise level (in decibels), overall portability and special features. Shredding performance: I judged how effectively and quickly the shredder worked on a variety of materials, looking for any blocking or jamming and evenly shredded plant material at the end. Maintenance and quality: I assessed whether the shredder was easy to clean and if it felt like it would last well if maintained. I also looked at how easy blades were to change, and factored in any warranties. Note, in the key specifications, the height measurements include when the paddle is inserted into the upper hopper. Why you can trust Telegraph Recommended Our thorough, real-world tests will always help you find the best gardening product. No manufacturer ever sees Telegraph Recommended reviews before publication and we don't accept payment in exchange for favourable reviews, nor do we allow brands to pay for placement in our articles. All opinions are based on independent expert opinion and our hands-on testing. Visit our Who We Are page to learn more. The best garden shredders of 2025 1. Best Buy Garden Shredder: Hyundai 3000W Garden Shredder As its name suggests, Hyundai's garden shredder has 3000W of power, making it a bit of a beast – and it sounds like it, too. Luckily, although it's loud when running, the 95dB volume barely increases once you start shredding, so it's not overly anti-social when in use. It was easy to put together and has minimal knobs and buttons. There's a single red power button and a simple, clearly marked locking dial for accessing the blades. While there is no visible overheat fuse, the Hyundai has overload protection which means it will automatically cut out should the motor get too hot. The motor's size means this should be unlikely though, it can handle some grunt work. The heavy duty collection box is capacious at 50 litres, saving you on trips to the compost heap. Other great features include a 10-metre power lead, which is longer than all of the other models on test aside from the Stihl, and brackets on either side of the hopper to hold the paddle when it's not in use. There are few downsides to the Hyundai, and when you factor in its affordable price, it's even more impressive. There's a three-year guarantee, too. Key specifications Suitable for: Shredding fibrous or woody garden waste (with stems up to 45mm diameter) Type: Electric garden shredder Power source: Mains electricity Collection capacity: 50l Volume: 95dB Weight: 12.98kg Dimensions: H 105cm, D 56cm, W 44.5cm 2. Best Value Garden Shredder: LawnMaster Garden Shredder FD2402 2400W The LawnMaster garden shredder has several design features that make it stand out from the rest, despite being a low-cost, bagged shredder. You need your own Phillips screwdriver for assembly (there is not one included) but it comes with a pair of safety goggles and a neatly stowed hex key for changing the double-sided carbon steel blade. You get a spare blade and each one is reversible. So, in some ways, you get four blades for the price of one. It also has a sturdy on-off dial, rather than a button with protective cover, and a top casing that comes off completely, rather than hinging, giving unhindered access when you want to brush the blades clean. Large wheels stabilise the LawnMaster garden shredder, when both moving and using it, and its three-metre lead is adequate. The main handle is rugged, with distinct plastic ridges, so it's easy to grip when relocating is required. It seems unfair to mark it down on its flimsy collection bag, which holds 50 litres, but it's one of the few down-sides. Consider LawnMaster's Quiet Garden Shredder if you'd like a slightly more heavy-duty shredder with a sturdy plastic collection chamber. Our lightweight test model thoroughly chopped the materials we shredded though and was relatively quiet – at 80 decibels when running but not in use. Noise levels did not increase dramatically when cutting. Key specifications 3. Best Garden Shredder for Composting: Bosch AXT Rapid 2200W Despite being the only garden shredder that required a hammer to put it together (to knock the caps onto either end of the axel) overall it was a simple process. While I wouldn't expect a hammer to be supplied, I would have liked a collection bag to be included. Instead, you have to buy one of the 60-litre bags separately (£22) . The AXT Rapid 2200W has a single, chunky red dial to turn it on and off and, initially, it seemed reluctant to start. However, this was simply user error; as an added safety feature, the dial needs to be clicked 'on' twice to work. Once running, it is easy to introduce stems, with a wide feed chute and soft, rubbery teeth that feed them through and let nothing nasty (like splinters) back out. It cuts up to a diameter of 40mm and didn't labour when I tested it on a variety of stems, including sticks approaching the maximum diameter. When running I recorded a volume of just over 81dB, which did not increase significantly when cutting. Its four-metre, red power lead was skinnier than some of the other shredders on test and came with an old-fashioned removable plug rather than a moulded one. But these are small gripes. A replacement, branded, blade is costlier than many competitors' (RRP £47), but given Bosch's reputation for durability, I'd hope it wouldn't need replacing too often. Only a longer test will tell. Key specifications Suitable for: Shredding leafy green garden waste (such as hedge cuttings and woody stems up to 40mm) Type: Blade shredder Power source: Mains electricity Collection capacity: 60l Volume: 81dB Weight: 12.1kg Dimensions: H 103cm, D 45.1cm, W 49.3cm 4. Best Garden Shredder for Stability and Easy Storage: Draper 230V Rapid Garden Shredder This is a well-designed and well-made workhorse that's functional, too. It comes with a dual-purpose hex key rather than spanner as stated in the manual – but that's all that's required to put the impact shredder together. A heavy-duty collection box, rather than a bag, is an instant plus-point. As are its supporting legs, which swivel round 180 degrees for easy storage have splayed plastic feet for added stability in use. At 14kg, it's a touch heavier than some of the other models on test but not unduly so and it's a reasonable pay-off given its sturdiness. It's also noisier than some other models, at 93dB when running. Technically, the feed chute has a hopper, but I'd barely call it one because of its small size. However, it is easy to push stems and woody materials through the generous slot and pliable rubber teeth using the plunger. Its 2500W motor and twin blades were also more than adequate for cutting dried and fresh flower stems and woodier materials, creating a fine mulch. You don't get a spare blade, but it's easily removable and reversible, using the aforementioned hex key. Draper also offers a one-year warranty for labour and two-year warranty for parts, making it a good value buy. Key specifications 5. Best Garden Shredder for Portability: Einhell Redaxxo Expert 36/25 While this shredder isn't suitable for woody stems over 25mm in diameter, this is a neat, stable and highly portable bit of kit that did a nice job on all other materials. It stood out for its fine mulch and fuss-free performance that was quiet even when processing. Unlike most other models on test, it has three reversible blades, which worked a treat, cutting stems without wrist-jarring vibrations, just an efficient buzz. Its Power X-Change battery system is compatible with Einhell's other garden tools, whether you're looking for a cordless electric lawn mower, pressure washer, leaf blower or hedge trimmer. This takes some of the sting out of the fact that the batteries and charger will cost you about £80. Handy features include a convenient holder for the 'tamper' or paddle as well as wide brackets to hold the 55-litre collection bag. I wouldn't describe the hopper opening as 'large' as per Einhell's website – but it is adequate and prevents the introduction of oversized material. It comes with a two-year guarantee. Key specifications Suitable for: Shredding hedge clippings, shrub residues, leaves or branches up to 25mm Type: Cordless knife shredder Power source: Battery (2 x 18V batteries) Collection capacity: 55l Volume: 76dB Weight: 10.7kg Dimensions: H 98.5cm, D 55.8cm, W 44cm 6. Best Garden Shredder for Large, Detachable Hopper: Webb Electric 2500W Impact Shredder The Webb impact shredder bodes well from its unboxing, coming with quality tools and a sturdy metal chassis. Construction takes a touch longer than with some of the other shredders, and fitting the rim on the hopper was fiddly. The latter is removable though, which is a useful feature for storage and allows for more flexible use, depending on what you are shredding. I liked the colour-coded red and green 'on' and 'off' buttons which are a handy visual prompt in an emergency. It runs at around 90 decibels and the 2500W motor and twin blades produce a fine mulch. It didn't struggle with larger woody stems either; according to the manufacturer, it can handle up to 45mm branches and my tests were close to this limit. The shredder has a fairly standard three-meter power lead. Overall, it's a well-made machine with an impressive three-year warranty. But there's one issue that really lets it down; the compatibility of the input chute and the plunger. The plunger is poker-shaped while the input slot consists of two round holes with a narrow section in-between. Material gets stuck between the two holes and there is no way to push it through. Most of the other shredders have paddle-shaped plungers, and this would solve the problem. Key specifications Suitable for: Shredding general garden waste and woody stems (up to 45mm diameter) Type: Electric impact shredder Power source: Mains electricity Collection capacity: 40l Volume on test: 90dB Weight: 16.8kg Dimensions: H 108cm, D 49.5cm, W 36cm 7. Best Budget Garden Shredder: MacAllister MIS2400 Corded Impact Shredder Considering its low cost, the MacAllister MIS2400 Corded Impact Shredder does a thorough job processing general, mixed garden waste though woodier stems made the whole machine wobble. Despite sounding like an over-sized hairdryer, it managed to chip branches of around 25mm and is said to be capable of chipping stems up to 40mm – though I didn't feel comfortable pushing it to the max. The power switch is a single ergonomic dial and the neighbouring dial, for opening and closing the upper casing, is equally robust. As per all shredders on test, a safety key ensures that the motor will not run if the shredder's outer casing is not closed securely. Its single, reversible blade is also simple to remove with a hex key, which comes stowed inside the machine. The MacAllister's design is not radical; a larger upper hopper to hold leaves and lightweight trimmings would have been helpful, for example. Especially as the latter is what this machine is most suited to. Other gripes include the short, black power lead which is harder to see than many. Most other machines I tried have either an orange or red one. These are relatively minor though, so the lack of serious gripes make this a decent budget shredder. Key specifications 8. Best Garden Shredder for Chipping: Stihl GHE 105 Electric Chipper Shredder The Stihl arrived ready assembled but, judging by the manual and by taking it apart again, note any reassembly is a touch more time-consuming than other models. You have to attach the discharge flap, for example. For the price, I'd expect a collection box or bag to be included too, but instead it is an optional extra. The shredder is designed for approximately 90 per cent woody material of up to 35mm and 10 per cent green waste and cuts woody stems of up to 35mm. Given that chipping is its forte, it's perhaps surprising that this is the second lowest maximum diameter of the shredders on test. There's a cloverleaf opening for small branches and twigs, alongside a rectangular chute for leafy matter, while the opening of the feed chute is shielded by a single rubbery flap. When this flap is pushed aside, by a woody stem for example, chips and shredded materials fly back out of the feed chute. It is also necessary to push branches onto the blade (with some force) rather than simply letting them be pulled in. There's a reversible chipping blade that can be turned over when blunt using a large, flat-headed screwdriver, and another blade dedicated to shredding leafy material. Stihl has an extensive network of approved dealers, so assistance is generally close at hand if you need to take advantage of the two-year warranty. Key specifications Suitable for: Shredding branches (up to 35mm in diameter), hedge and flower clippings Type: Electric garden shredder / chipper Power source: Mains electricity Collection capacity: 50l (collection box is optional extra) Volume: 71dB Weight: 20kg (without cable) Dimensions: H 97cm, D 77cm, W 48cm 9. Best Lightweight Garden Shredder: Hawksmoor Electric Cutting Shredder 2500W This lightweight garden shredder, available from Toolstation, was surprisingly capable despite its diminutive stature and budget price tag. It was simple to put together with just the provided hex key. The shredder was a little unstable and top-heavy when being moved around the garden; its narrow base and relatively small wheels mean it's important to find a flat surface on which to work. Make sure that the collection bag doesn't obstruct the motor vent, too. In our volume test, we recorded 102dB when the shredder was running but not processing, making it one of the noisiest models tried. It coped well with waste, however, shredding a mix of materials into a fine mulch. The relatively tight feeding funnel – containing rigid rubber 'teeth' – made pushing it through harder than it needed to be. But once the stems reached the cutting blades, they were effective. Getting inside the shredder to change or clear the blades is easy and just requires the turn of an orange dial to open the upper casing. There are two blades, each of which require a hex key for unscrewing, and a smooth chamber which is easily brushed clean. The garden shredder comes with a two-year guarantee. Currently, it is out of stock online, but it is worth checking with your local Toolstation, and we will keep this review updated. Key specifications Suitable for: Shredding hedge trimmings, twigs, leaves and small branches (up to 45mm diameter) Type: Electric cutting shredder Power source: Mains electricity Collection capacity: 60l Volume on test: 102dB Weight: 8.9kg Dimensions: H 105cm, D 47cm, W 37cm Garden shredder FAQs
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Shropshire flower fields to open early thanks to hot weather
A flower farm has opened to the public a week ahead of schedule after a prolonged hot spell caused plants to bloom Petals grows larkspur and cornflowers to make biodegradable confetti, but has struggled to time its annual Shropshire Petalfields festival in recent event has proved a big draw for people searching for the perfect Instagram shot, or simply visitors wanting to enjoy the view, with more than 20,000 people expected by the time it closes on 3 Evers-Swindell, marketing manager at the Newport farm, said moving the festival to open a week earlier on 24 July had been a tough decision but was the "right thing to do". "It's been a really dry spring... everything has bloomed much earlier," she firm has struggled with the weather in recent years, with a similar hot spell in 2022 forcing it to cancel the festival, meaning it lost out on up to £20, following year, wet weather meant the farm found it difficult to plant the seeds - but the event finally went ahead in mid-August. "Every year is a learning experience, you have to be so quick to move," Mrs Evers-Swindell Office figures suggest that the UK has recorded its warmest spring on record this year and its driest in more than 50 Petals said between March and June it had had just over a third of the rain it had last year."Since early spring, April time, the guys have been non-stop irrigating," Mrs Evers-Swindell said. "Because we are part of a bigger farm, about 2,000 acres, we've got potatoes that need a lot of water so we have a lot of equipment and technology for irrigation." The flowers fields are about the size of 14 football pitches and keeping them watered is a huge task. However, Mrs Evers-Swindell said the result was "such a beautiful field this year" and she was "excited to see what people make of it"."The beauty of this field, particularly, is that it's on a beautiful crest of a hill so you've got some really gorgeous vistas."She added that the size of the site meant that it also rarely felt busy for those looking for the perfect those who had already booked tickets for the original dates (31 July to 10 August), co-organisers Shropshire Festivals said it would contact ticket holders and offer a new date or a refund. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
The Sun
08-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
The 3 things gardeners need to do for hydrangeas to flower continuously until October & how to stop blooms going crispy
A TIKTOK flower expert has revealed her top three tips for gardeners to know to keep their hydrangeas blooming through to October. By doing these things, it will help stop the flowers turning " brown and crispy", as temperatures heat up. 3 3 3 One sister from the popular TikTok duo, Miller Flowers, shared the advice online which attracted a number of comments, likes and shares from garden enthusiasts. The Miller sisters, Gina & Caitlin, have grown their following on social media after expanding the flower farm business they took over from their parents around 30 years ago. Caitlin said these points will help hydrangeas"to keep looking beautiful all season long". Watering hydrangeas The first tip is around watering, as "hydrangeas are plants that love water". It is recommended to water them three times a week, for ten minutes. Caveat this if your hydrangea is in the soil, but if in a pot it can be watered less. It is also increasingly important to try to stick to this routine in the heat, which makes it particularly "tough" for hydrangeas to cope. In the video, Miller Flowers also recommend watering the base of the established hydrangea plants deeply, which can best be done by placing the hose spout underneath the flowers. Positioning of the plants Where the hydrangeas are positioned in the garden is also a valuable component to consider for their optimal flowering. Hydrangeas need both sun and shade. I tried 'magic' Lidl garden hose - you need to get it, it's perfect for summer This allows them to grow but still stay moist. The right positioning in a garden is therefore probably somewhere they can ideally get the morning sun and afternoon shade. Fertilisation A little fertilisation can be particularly useful for hydrangeas in climates where it is continually warm. It can encourage more blooms, and help them deal with heat. However, it is not always necessary, also depending on the soil used, and time of the year. Excess fertiliser can also attract pests to the plants, as they look for softer foliage to eat. Miller Flowers is now a florist, greenhouse and flower farm, as well as a social media channel that provides online education to inspire gardeners. July gardening jobs The Sun's Gardening Editor Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you need to tackle this July in your garden. 1. Prune Wisteria You should only prune back Wisteria twice a year - and July - or mid summer - is one of those times. After flowering cut back long side shoots to around seven or six leaves. 2. Pinch out tomatoes Your tomatoes should be really picking up - so pinch out all the side shoots without flowers - and remove all the leaves that are shading the tomatoes - this will give them maximum light and energy. 3. Keep weeding Hand weeding and hoeing the surface of the soil will keep your weeds under check. 4. Feed Dahlias To keep Dahlias flowering until Autumn, you must keep feeding them weekly with a liquid fertliser high in potassium - which encourages blooms. 5. Keep deadheading plants Keep up with deadheading your bedding plants and perennials - so they keep coming back for the season. With roses make sure you're deadheading back to a set of five leaves, giving you the best chance of them flowering again. 6. Check on your pond If you're lucky enough to have a pond - make sure it's clear of algae, which can really bloom when the sun beats down. 7. Feed your lawn Whether that's with a liquid feed or granules. If you've chosen granules try to get them down before the rain comes, so they soak into the soil. 8. Tend to strawberry plants Cut the leaves off strawberry plants after you've picked them - leaving the crown untouched - which should help with next years fruit. 9. Sow extra seeds July weather is a great time to sow seeds as the warm soil and sunshine is great for germination. Try carrots, winter broccoli and other brassicas. 10. Move young plants into soil Get any young plants you've got left in the greenhouse - like courgettes - into the soil.
CTV News
30-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Pick-your-own peony farm blooming as agritourism grows in Chatham-Kent
A 10-acre sea of pastel petals is drawing visitors from across southern Ontario to a rural corner of Chatham-Kent — and it's part of a growing trend turning local farms into tourist destinations. Fleur de Roy, a peony farm in Dover Centre, officially opened to the public for the first time Friday with a pick-your-own experience that owners say is unlike anything else in the province. 'This is our opening day and it's the first year that we are opening the field up to our clients and customers for pick your own,' said co-owner Valerie Chort. The farm, co-owned by Chort and nephew Charles Rougeau, was previously focused on wholesale production for florists. But a business pivot last year planted the seeds for something new. Fleur de Roy peony farm Fleur de Roy, a peony farm in Dover Centre, on May 30, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) 'Historically, we had set this up as a business model that provided peonies for the cut flower market, and we sold to wholesalers and florists,' said Chort. 'Then we changed up the business model and said, perhaps this year we will do something that's unique.' She said the decision to welcome the public was inspired in part by the farm's size and potential community impact, noting there were likely more than 150,000 peony stems to see. 'Because we're the only pick-your-own flower farm in all of Ontario that's this large, we said, 'Why not do this and bring the community together of Dover Centre, Mitchell's Bay, and offer this to our clients,'' she said. The result is a three-hour 'Peony Bloom Experience,' where guests can wander the blooming rows and cut their own flowers to take home. Fleur de Roy peony farm Fleur de Roy, a peony farm in Dover Centre, on May 30, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) Visitors on opening day came from Windsor, Toronto, Kingsville, Oakville, Hamilton and Guelph, according to Chort. 'This is where you see how much people love peonies and are interested in peony flowers,' she said. Rougeau said seeing guests engage with the blooms has been rewarding. 'I really like it because I can finally see the joy that flowers bring to people,' he said. The short season and nostalgia associated with the fragrant flower are a big part of the draw, Chort explained. 'It brings back a lot of memories. It's generational. A peony plant will last between 50 to 100 years,' she said. 'It's only available for, you know, two weeks out of June. So people need to rush and enjoy it that way.' Chatham-Kent Tourism's Shannon Paiva said the opening is part of a larger trend in the municipality, following popular outdoor experiences like Hat Trick Farms' tulip displays and sunflower walks at Puddleford Tree Farm. Fleur de Roy peony farm Fleur de Roy, a peony farm in Dover Centre, on May 30, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) 'I would say it's a growing trend, for sure,' said Paiva. 'What I love is that this is another opportunity where we're opening and welcoming that world of peonies — 10 acres of peonies — to you in a responsible, ethical way.' For Chort and Rougeau, seeing the fields in full bloom — something they used to avoid in commercial production — has taken on new meaning. 'It's a nightmare when you're doing it for commercial,' said Chort. 'You do not want to see a field this way because a plant that's opened is not sellable to a florist or a wholesaler… We never thought that we could actually see it this way, but here we are.' She said they hope the experience becomes an annual draw for the region. 'We're really excited to be able to make this area a real hub for the community,' said Chort. 'And I think that's going to grow year over year.' For guests concerned about ants — a common sight on blooming peonies — Chort had a simple tip. 'They don't harm the peonies. They're attracted by the sugar,' she said. 'If you're worried about bringing ants in the house, all you need to do is dunk your peony in water and the ants will float away.' The pick-your-own experience at Fleur de Roy runs until mid-June, weather permitting and booking online in advance is recommended.
