Oil and fossil fuels are very much a source of pollution and we are seeing a return to sustainable products such as wood as a fuel - once again, wood burning stoves are becoming features of modern day homes and it's not just for aesthetics either.

Manufacturers are catering for ever need and making log-splitters much more affordable too. This Einhall BT-LS 65U electric log splitter is just £229.00 - a price that easily retuned in just one season.

Einhell log splitters offer superior performance and high grade components making them an excellent investment for anyone seeking a quality machine at an affordable price. The solid tubular under-frame on this model provides maximum stability whilst in operation and allows you maintain a comfortable, upright posture when working.

The Einhell BT-LS 65U electric log splitter utilizes a powerful hydraulic pump which exerts an incredible 5.5 tons or pressure to compress the logs against a heavy-duty cast iron wedge. Both hard and soft wood can be split easily in two with zero effort, saving you the tiresome and backbreaking work of using an axe.

This log splitter has a high grade 1500 watt electric motor for reliability and can handle logs between 50- 250 mm in diameter and up to 520 mm in length. A load-limiting device helps protect the motor and working parts from being damaged. The two handed control system keeps your hands away from the splitting mechanism whilst in operation for added safety.

The tubular under-frame has two sturdy wheels enabling you to transport the log splitter with a minimum of effort. And with a noise level of just 65 dB (A), the Einhell BT-LS 65U Log Splitter works quietly and efficiently providing a more satisfying working experience.

For the full range of log splitters.

Lack of hard frosts and strong winds will mean a slow but steady fall - it suits some regular gardeners because it means that they can sweep, rake and mow at a pace that suits them. For others, getting it over and done with with one big dump is preferred.

What ever your preference, having the right tool for the job can save you an awful lot of time and energy meaning you can do more of the things you enjoy.

For the amateur gardener with a small courtyard garden it might not be worth your while even considering a machine. A good old broom and rake could be all you need.

The 1100 watt motor blows 615 cubic meters/hour which means you can even shift damp leaves that are usually difficult to brush or rake from hard surfaces such as flagstones or tarmac.

Ask any professional what their preference for blowers, chain saws or hedge cutters is and I would lay money on it that the majority would mention Stihl as one of, if not 'the' top marque.

For larger gardens, where it isn't convenient or easy to trail a long electric cable about, why not opt for a two-stroke hand-held petrol machine?

For larger lawns, a back-pack blower is the business because it allows the operator to work for prolonged periods in comfort by distributing the weight evenly.

The operator also has a greater degree of control with the hand-held directional tube. The pistol grip trigger is an asset too.

See the range of backpack blowers.

If you have a big garden you might already own, or be considering to buy, a dedicated leaf clearing machine. For some it can make sense but it is a bit of a luxury too. Just think, a grass cutting machine that might have cost a couple of grand and a leaf vac of the same value.

Once the leaf sweeping is done, the machine is packed away for the winter and the following summer.

This Snapper ride-on is a very powerful beast - don't be fooled by its sit down appearance because (and I am talking from personal experience).

The single blade creates amazing sucking power and will easily cope with a dense layer of leaves; what is more, it will continue to cut the grass at the same time.

This compact entry-level model has a 28" cutting deck. It's fast, fun and comes equipped with Snapper's unique Pivoting Articulating Frame, ensuring the smoothest of cuts every time.

It has a 12.5hp engine, quick response steering, on-the-go gear drive transmission and stand-on-end capability for easy storage.

Specifications

Engine make Briggs & Stratton
Power 12.5 hp
Cylinders 1
Ignition Electronic
Lubrication Crankcase oil bath
Fuel tank 6.5 litres
Transmission type 5 speed & reverse
Speed range 1 - 4.6 mph
Chassis frame Steel
Tires - Front 4.10x3.50
Tires - Rear 16x6.50-8
Turning Radius 28"
Width 39""
Without Collector 34"
Weight 147 kg
Deck Type Hi-Vac
Cutting Width 28"
Height Adjustment 1-4"
Positions 5 positions
Cutter Engagement Manual
Optional Bag 170 ltr
Optional Bag 200 ltr
Optional Mulch Kit Ninja

Features

* 28" cut with single blade Hi-Vac Deck.
* 12.5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine.
* 5-speed & reverse on-the-go gear drive transmission.
* Electric start with recoil back-up.
* Quick response steering for enhanced manoeuverability.
* Deluxe mid-back contoured seat.
* Steel/polymer pivoting discharge chutes.
* Stand-on-end capability for easy cleaning and storage.
* Easily convertible from side discharge to grass collection or mulching.

More on this Snapper Ride-on mower

At this moment in time, keeping larg expanses of lawn free from weeds is not possible without using chemicals and most gardeners will apply herbicide at least once, if not twice a year.

In between times though, who can be bothered to mix up small amounts to deal with problem weeds that might appear in small patches of the grass?

This dandelion weeder will deal with dandelions and other longer rooted. Its 21cm long blade and 3cm width of the Sneeboer Dandelion Weeder enables long rooted weeds to be removed with ease from lawns without disturbing the surrounding area.

The Mantis 2-stroke cultivator is also available as part of a bundle deal which includes:

Border Edger - Keep clean edges around paths, flower beds and bushes.

Wheel and hardened spring-steel blade attaches easily to your tiller cutting neat, crisp edges where your flower beds meet the lawn. Maintains a sharp edge between lawn and gardens.

Kick Stand - A practical feature whenever you want to take a break:
• one quick kick of the stand and your Mantis stands upright
• just tip up the kickstand when your ready to start working again
Attaches easily to the base of the tiller handles, and flips up or down for instant use. Durable solid steel construction.

Handy Item Kit SV-6 2-stroke

Contents:

• 6 bottles of 2 stroke oil
• 1 spark plug
• 2 Air Filter pads
• 1 Tube Grease
• 2 tine clips
• 1 plug spanner
• 1 gearbox gasket
• 1 fuel funnel

Mantis 2-stroke cultivator

Billed as 'quiet, powerful and environmentally friendly' this ride-on mower is something for the future garden.

The Panthera Leo is made from recycled materials and has been developed by Husqvarna's designers and engineers as the a model of how we come to expect our mowing machines to be.

Essentially, the Husqvarna Panthera Leo is a hybrid made up of two ride-on mowers, Rider and Zero-Turn.

Its on-board batteries can be charged up at any electric socket; the machine has eliminated petrol so no need to rush off to the garage should you run out in the middle of the job.

Each suspended rotary cutting deck is fitted with its own motor which means so no draining of the power and good distribution of output across its cutting width. A cool feature is that the decks can be adjusted in from their maximum width of 120cm to 85cm suiting smaller compact lawns.

On-board sensors and displays keep the operator informed. Driving speed, batery life, cutting height and width and servicing intervals and even warns the driver if objects are too close and, get this, the machine cat even hint at the correct operating speed and cutting height - how cool is that?

Here is how Husqvarna lists the Panthera Leo features:

* Equipped with zero-emission technology
* Produced from recycled materials
* Rechargeable Lithium-phosphate battery
* Plug-in product, charged at any electrical point
* Five brushless electrical engines, easy and clean to maintain
* Three separate cutters equipped with razor sharp blades
* Cutters individually suspended to glide smoothly over bumpy terrain and prevent lawn scalping
* Variable cutting width (85-120cm)
* Zero-turn functionality
* Lifting cutting deck (90 degrees)
* Ergonomic steering wheel
* Easy to control dashboard
* Cutting time 2 hours, overnight charging
* Detailed LCD display monitor (featuring cutting height, width of cutting deck, speed, service information, steep hill warning, objects that are too close)

One day perhaps, I will be able to offer this on Lawnmowersupermarket.com.

www.husqvarna.com

Using a machine to carry out the harder work goes against the grain for some gardeners who might believe that double or single digging and weed control using a hoe is the only way, both environmentally and from a soil condition perspective, to prepare or maintain soil.

Manual labour is both time consuming and hard work. Why spend a whole summer trying to keep up with maintenance when you should be enjoying your hobby? Many of you reading this will have day jobs and can possible only go to the allotment or out into the veg patch at weekends.

After a showery week and as the sun intensifies towards mid-summer, weed growth can be explosive and really destroy any enthusiasm you might have as that overwhelming feeling of failure takes hold when you see weeds literally establish and grow up to six inches in a week.

A rotovator or tiller can easy this feeling and actually bring enjoyment into the maintenance; leaving you time to get on an experiment with new seeds, thin-out and transplant your seedlings.

A couple of words of advice on how to use a rotovator successfully. First, don't expect the machine to do too much. It may be necessary to hire in a heavy duty robust rotovator, double or single dig your soil in the first instance, at the beginning of the season, to assist in creating the right structure and rootzone.

Only after that could you expect a smaller machine to carry out the inter-season maintenance work.

The paddles or blades are best if they work against the direction of travel or contra-rotate. A much cleaner cut and finer amelioration is achieved. The more often you cover the soil, the finer and manageable the task becomes.

Try to vary the depth of operation other wise the blades can create an impermeable hard pan layer that, if it builds up over time, will deter water/oxygen movement leading to problems later on.

Crop protection discs

You will have noticed that many tillers have a round metal disc (see the photo of the Honda F220 tiller as an example) on the outside of the paddles. These discs are designed to cut the soil close to the rows and shield the plant so that it is not damaged as you pass by.

Measure the distance apart that these discs are, give yourself a little extra room for the vegetable plants to develop and you will be able to pass intra-row very quickly and freshen the soil. This takes care of new weed growth in one foul swoop; leaving you to just hand weed amongst your plants.

View all of the Mowdirect rotovators and tillers here

Take a look at Ibea. Now a brand that I am over familiar with but reading through the specifications, they look to be tough machines.

They come with steel decks and has a generous grass bags with the option to switch to a mulching blade.

One little feature I like is the Deck wash port. All you have to do is connect a garden hose, start the engine and the mower cleans itself. Deck cleaning is important to obtain optimal mowing performance - no more turning the hot machine on its side with the danger of fuel or oil spillage.

See the full range of Ibea lawn mowers

Manufactured in Europe by Global Garden Products, this machine's spec says it is tough enough to do the job and a price of les than fifty percent of a well known professional brand.

Each machine comes with a three year guarantee and with two hundred and fifty service points around the UK, back up support looks to be well covered.

This Tuffcut T4204S is ideal for a lawn of about 1.5-2,000 square metres and the 149cc Briggs and Stratton engine should cope easily.

Grass cutting heights 25mm - 75mm so plenty of scope for adjustment.

My verdict - I always make the comparison between buying a mower and employing a contractor and for £239.00 including the VAT I would say the machine is paid for in a year and with the peace of mind that the machine has a three year guarantee, years two and three are pretty much free grass cutting.

Full Specifications:

Cutting Width 41 cm
Cut Height 25-75mm
Adjustments Individual Levers front, Single rear
Construction Steel chassis
Engine Description Briggs & Stratton 450 Series
Power 148 cc
Safety Features Operator Presence Control
Grass Collector Capacity 60 Litres
Warranty 3 Years
Lawn Size 40m x 40m
Starting Recoil
Weight 27 kg

Check out the full range of Tuffcut petrol lawn mowers here.

I bet we have all had a surge of satisfaction when it is realised that many pounds, possibly even hundreds of pounds have been saved because a cheaper version of a particular product was available.

How many times though has this euphoria been short lived when, within weeks, days or hours this perfect alternative has failed on you with the expensive realisation that the original choice was right in the first place.

All of the above hit home when I read a press release from Toro today: "Buyers make this mistake. With the onset of spring and the grass
starting to grow, those in the market for a new mower may try to make
do with a cheaper electric version, but - lo and behold - after only a
few weeks of work, find they regret their decision not to buy a more
powerful and robust petrol mower better suited to their requirements
and lawn size."

Now, I know that Toro are in the business of selling lawn mowers and various kinds of grass care equipment and you wouldn't expect them so encourage you to buy cheap but, deep down, this does make sense.

Occasionally, buying something cheap pays off but the odds really are stacked against you.

Toro point out that gardeners make the mistake of buying a cheap electric mower to do a job that is far beyond its capabilities when a robust petrol machine is the sensible choice.

Check out the range of Toro lawn mowers