Six of the best grass strimmers

The grass is greener

With winter on the horizon, it pays to have the right tools and equipment at hand. James Andrews picks out a dozen handy items to get you winter-ready

■ Where are you working? If autumn lawn care is your main focus, then a metal spring-tined rake is the best tool for the job. Its long, thin, pointed tines are ideal for dragging out thatch and moss f

Autumn and winter tend to be the seasons when the structure of a garden is most appreciated. Frost picks out the shapes of evergreen shrubs and hedging, and sun pierces through a filigree of bare bran

Cottage gardening has been completely reimagined in this unique west London home, with a calm palette of ornamental grasses that comes spectacularly into its own in autumn

Deciding which tools and equipment you should have in your armoury can be a challenge. Inspired by our DIY skills feature on page 86, we’ve drilled down into what’s worthy of a place in your toolkit,