To get the best out of your garden in 2009 I will be publishing my best tips and ideas to save you time and money. I have spent a large part of the last 10 years researching garden tools and techniques to make gardening easier and more fun.

I can help you find rare and specialist equipment - and you can help me and my readers by providing feedback on the products you use. (This site had over 70,000 visitors in the last 12 months including representatives of manufacturers and retailers). I won't sell you rubbish tools to make money- I wouldn't be happy and you wouldn't come back.

I hope you enjoy rummaging in my shed, if you cant find what you are looking for or want to make a comment I would love to hear from you.

e-mail fred@fredshed.com

Burning Garden Waste?

If you have diseased plant material the best thing you can do is burn it.

However, there are laws about bonfires in gardens and you shouldn't light them until after 7pm.

To make the job easier and friendlier to your neighbours use a traditional galvanised incinerator to contain the fire and reduce ash and smoke.

It is well and truly time tested and I have used one for over 30 years.

Once the bin has got hot it you will be able to burn almost anything in it and the special holes in the side and lif with chimney makes sure the fire burn hot and clean and reduces flying ash.

Top Tips This Month

Waterbutts

Most water barrels are pretty ugly green plastic and are fine if you can hide them away. If you can't there are now some clever options. I used to have a real Oak Barrel (former sherry barrel)  which was lovely looking but very heavy and rotted away after about 4 years. The problem was not the oak but the iron rings holding it together which rusted away so the barrel leaked then fell apart.

A new option is this waterbutt shown opposite which looks like a traditional Oak barrel but is actual made from a high grade plastic. This should last many years with no maintenance  and although I generally don't like plastic - especially in the garden, this is one product that I think is practical and looks good too.

click to see more details on this waterbutt

click to see a large range of waterbutts and rain storage systems from a Fredshed recommended supplier

Fantastic Lightweight Border Rake

I have tried dozens of rakes over the last 15 years that I have been researching and testing gardening products.

 This narrow border size leaf rake is one of the best as it is so light and effective and its small size ( 8inches wide) means it is easier to store in your shed.

The design advantages of this new tool are that it has an oval shaped aluminium handle which gives maximum strength but minimum weight. Also the flexible nyglass* tines flick out the leaves from lawns and off soil.

Nyglass is an advanced mix of plastic and fibreglass that is more durable than most plastic used in garden tool. The Wilkinson Sword Nimble border rake is one of the lightest but most effective rakes in my shed.

Best Dustpan for Garden Use

This huge plastic dustpan is one of the most useful garden aids you can buy and is incredibly cheap too. It has a metal strip along the front and a large handle for easy lifting. This product is well made and will save you loads of time and effort.

£6.95 plus delivery

Price Under a Tenner!

 click here to buy the superb Jumbo Tidy Pan

Price approx £20

Click to buy from a Fredshed recommended supplier

Growing plants in raised planters have many advantages and has been growing in popularity in recent years.

Easy access,  not walking on the soil and good drainage all help to make raised bed gardening an enjoyable and productive experience.

I have tried many systems over the years including these wooden slot together systems and some of the more modern plastic ones.

Click the link below to see the latest range of allotment grade raised beds from one of my retailing partners

click here to see a wide range of raised bed systems

 Wooden Raised Bedding System

This is an old raised bed system I used at the Nuffield Orthopaedic centre when I worked as a Horticultural Therapist. It was much loved by wheelchair users, elderly gardeners and those with back problems - not to mention the plants that seemed to thrive in it's unique little micro-climate.

Reduces bending

Improves Drainage

No soil impaction from walking

Can help combat pest infestations

The most important tool for pruning  is the Secateur, crucial for stems up to 25mm, anything bigger than that requires the loppers. After 45mm even loppers are no use and a garden saw is required.

A good quality bowsaw like the Bahco one shown left costs under £20 and its massive teeth will cut through most branches with ease. Before you buy a chainsaw I recommend trying a quality bowsaw, its cheaper, more reliable and environmentally friendly.

The most common boswaw sizes are 24  and 30inches. A 30 inch version which will rapidly cut large branches that many people would buy a chainsaw for. A key feature of Bahco Bow saws is the easy availability of replacement blades. Also Bahco make special "raker" blades" that are better on live green wood. Most saws come with a general purpose blade for live and dead wood.

Another handy tool to have around is a folding garden saw like the one shown from Draper. This inexpensive saw will take up so little space in your shed but is worth it's weight in gold. A top quality Bahco version is also available.

Felco Professional Quality Secateurs

These Swiss made Secateurs are the ultimate in quality and are used by most professionals and TV gardening celebs, eg. Alan Titchmarsh, Charlie Dimmock and Rachel de Thame.

The most advanced model is this one that has a rotating lower handle to reduce finger fatigue. All Felco spare parts are replaceable and the company offer a refurbishment service so these tools can EASILY last your lifetime - guide price £30 - £45

The only small criticism I have of Felco secateurs is that I find the safety catches to be a bit fiddly, but they are metal and they don't fall off which is better than most

buy Felco secatuers online from another discount supplier

This rotating handle model 7 can reduce RSI if you prune continually for work. It is also available in a smaller version (model 12) and a left handed version (model 10)

Fred's Favourite Telescopic Loppers

In my experience many telescopic loppers either snap or the twisting mechanism gets jammed after extensive use.

These  loppers made by Wolf Tools are the  telescopic loppers that I  recommend for serious work based on 5 years of hard work with them. They genuinely cut a  40mm branch with ease and have an easy adjustment method.

The difference between these and other telescopic loppers is that the handles are oval in section and are stronger than round section handles. Also these handles lock in position with a sliding catch with a locating pin. Inferior telescopic handles twist to lock - most of the time!

Wolf RS650T Anvil telescopic Lopper,  RRP £55

 (often discounted to around £40 inc postage)

Use my links opposite for discounted prices from my recommended suppliers.

My assistant Vern uses the Wolf Telescopic Loppers whilst wearing his Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Click to see prices of Wolf Loppers from Fredshed's recommended supplier

A good tool to compliment these loppers is a big bowsaw- with these 2 tools you can tackle most small -medium sized trees.

The best Lawn Edging Shears

Lawn edging shears are simple tools that have been around for hundreds of years with few changes. I have tested dozens of pairs and gave one of my coveted Golden Shed Awards to the lightweight Aluminium handled CK legend lawn edging shears.

I think these shears arte the best because they are light, have longer handles and a better cut than any others I have used. They are made in Germany so are a bit pricey but will last a lifetime if kept oiled and adjusted regularly. If you don't want to spend that much but want a simple good quality , European made grass shears then my recommendation is the Bahco P75 tool below

Extra Long Aluminium handles helped win these shears a coveted Golden Shed Award

 click for latest price on CK Legend Lawn Edging Shears

(£50 approx.)

Flat bladed Lawnshears make a good environmentally friendly and longer lasting alternative to electric grass trimmers.

Unless you have large areas to cut why not get some exercise and let your neighbours hear the gentle click of your shears and not the annoying whine of an electric motor.

The best lawnshears I have found are these Aluminium handled CK legend shears that are made in Germany and are very lightweight and easy to use.

A cheaper alternative but still great quality are these Bacho  P74 lawn shears.

buy these German made lawn shears from a Fredshed recommended supplier

 Price approx £50  - Made in Germany

The Makita UH4850 is in a different league to most found in large chain stores, it is built to perform - and last!

Makita machines are the most reliable and are well supported for spares and repair - watch this space to see how they compare over time against the cheaper machines.

 check price of Makita UH4850 hedgetrimmer

Makita UH4850

Best pro-quality electric hedge trimmer

See my new page on

Cordless Hedge trimmers

Best Buy Hedge-trimmers -

This excellent no-nonsense German made hedge-trimmer has the power to cut your hedge and the quality to give many years of service.

Currently (25.03.09) at a huge discount

buy now as this price wont last!

Safety tip from Zena gardening Princess

ALWAYS WEAR EYE PROTECTION WHEN TRIMMING YOUR BUSH!

Use an RCB in case you cut the cable

AND

Don't stand on wobbly ladders

If you have a high hedge get a long handled hedgetrimmer.

Buying charcoal or briquettes is expensive and  involves a lot of transport and manufacturing that is not good for the environment. Taking car loads of prunings to the tip is also expensive and a waste of time.

Even a small garden can product a large quantity of logs that can be used to cook food on - if you have the right equipment.

The brazier on the right is superb for burning old twigs and logs and can also be used as a BBQ when the flames die down. Just drop in the grill rack and close the mesh lid down to contain sparks and splashes of fat.

  Click here to see more , Firepits, Braziers and Chimneas online 

Buy yourself a  fork and spade that will last your lifetime

These stainless steel tools are made by craftsmen in Holland and use the best materials. Tools like this cost a lot but will last for years and provide you with pleasure as you use them.

However...

Beware when buying Stainless Steel forks and spades in shops - especially if they are really cheap.

With supermarkets selling tools for a fiver you have to ask how they can do this and make money after shipping such a heavy item from the far east. In my opinion either the tools are total crap , or were made by slaves or a combination of both. The only place I expect to see these tools in years to come is at my local tip.

If you want advice about buying top quality tools e-mail me for a personal reply to suit your needs.

See the Sneeboer Stainless Steel Transplanting Spade

see the Sneeboer Ladies Spade

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Vern says - "do sweep up before you go to the pub"