Make sure you have the right equipment when tackling garden tasks.

Wheelbarrows

A good wheelbarrow will bring you mobile delight in your garden. It’s an indispensable item and you should take care to choose one that feels comfortable to use and is suited to your needs.
Wheelbarrows come in several shapes but the only ones to consider are the shallow-tray kind (good for small gardens) or the deep, robust builder’s barrow.

The tray can be constructed from galvanised steel, powder-coated metal or polythene plastic. Opt for the galvanised steel if funds allow, as it will last much longer. Seamless trays are best as they don’t have joins or seams to trap moisture.
Handles can be metal, plastic or timber. Traditionally, the longest-lasting and most comfortable are sculpted hardwood handles.
Make sure the tyre on the wheelbarrow you choose is a pneumatic (pump-up) one. This will make wheeling the barrow easier. A wide, thick-walled tyre is best — again for longevity and durability.

Watering cans

It’s handy to have a good watering can that will provide gentle watering pleasure. Some gardeners have several cans, each with a specific purpose, but one is enough to start.
Look for a watering can with a long nozzle. Long spouts allow you to pour water over a greater portion of the garden, including into root zones of fruits and vegies, without trampling the edible foliage.

Make sure it has a removable rose (the round, perforated attachment that delivers the water) so you can either use the gentle shower of the rose for small seedlings or delicate plants or pour a lot at once by pulling off the rose attachment and watering directly via the spout.
Watering cans are made from lightweight, sturdy, UV-stabilised plastic or galvanised metal. The latter lasts a long time but is heavy when filled with water.

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Hoses

The market is flooded with an ever-expanding range of hoses and their associated attachments. The best and longest-lasting garden hose is one composed of layers. The inner layer of your hose needs to be a smooth, flexible rubber or synthetic tube. To protect it and give it toughness, the inner layer is covered or coated with at least one outer layer of nylon fabric or mesh. The outer skin beyond that, the part you touch and see, should be made of a material that doesn’t break down after prolonged exposure to sun and weather.

If you want to choose one that’s environmentally friendly, look for those made of recyclable material that’s free of cadmium and barium.
Most hose are UV-stabilised and kink-resistant and come with a five- to 15-year warranty. Multi-layered hoses may seem a bit fatter or heavier than the inexpensive alternatives but, as usual, you get what you pay for. Hoses come in 12mm to 18mm diameters.

Cheap hoses and older ones can become a nuisance when they kink, crack, burst and leak. Replace them with new ones and keep them coiled and, preferably, in a shaded spot. Soaker hoses are ideal for lawns and garden beds and make a good low-cost above-ground watering system. And they are frugal with water as they require very little water pressure. Weeper hoses are similar to soakers but they can reduce water usage by up to 70 per cent. These are made from recycled rubber and release water without any pressure through their tiny “weeper holes”.

When shopping for hose fittings, make sure both the ends are good quality. There are so many attachments available it would be impossible to list them all here, but buy the best you can. Strong plastic is fine, but solid-brass fittings, which are very durable, are excellent. Fittings must attach seamlessly to a tap without any leaking.

Lawnmowers

Even food gardeners like a little green space and there are lots of mowers you probably already know about. An environmentally friendly choice is the manual reel mower. Yes, a non-motorised one. Husqvarna manufactures a beauty called the Husqvarna 64 (husqvarna.com/us/products/lawn-mowers/64). It is efficient, reliable and surprisingly effortless to use.

For acreage gardens, a ride-on mower is essential if you don’t have grazing stock. They are many brands available but buy the best you can afford so it will serve you for many years. All mowers should have sharp cutting blades and, if motorised, their oil needs checking regularly and filters and sparkplugs checked at least annually.

Whipper snippers

It may be necessary in a large garden to take care of weeds and invasive plants with the power of a whipper snipper (sometimes called a brush cutter). Whipper snippers are used on a slight angle when edging, but great care needs to be taken not to cut into the bark of trees or other plants. Most are petrol-powered.