No matter what style or size of garden you have, there will always be a certain amount of gradening equipment and tools that you'll need to keep it looking its best. Whilst you may not need the whole range offered by gardening centres or catalogues, buying the right tool for the job will save you time and effort and take the hard work out of gardening chores.

Before buying a tool, think about how often you'll need to use it. There's no point paying for some top of the range secateurs if you only have a couple of roses to prune once a year. However, if you will be using the tool on a regular basis, you should always try to go for the best quality that you can afford. Whatever you choose, make sure that it is the right size and model to carry out the job and is comfortable to use.

In this section, we take a look at some of the gardening tools and equipment you might need; from basic tools such as a fork or a spade, which may be in almost constant use, to more specialised equipment such as lawn aerators and chainsaws. As well as tools for cultivating and maintaining the garden, we also look at a wide range of other items such as carrying equipment, planting aids, watering tools, lawn care equipment and soil improvers.

We have also included a wide range of information on safety and security in the garden, with advice on working with electricity, disposal of pesticides, as well as how to protect your plants, tools and equipment from theft.