Cutting-edge technology to help the less able gardener
Glee (Garden, Leisure, Equipment Exhibition) – not the TV show – is the UK’s biggest garden and outdoor living trade show, showcasing new gardening tools and products for the season to come.
So what new gardening tools are there? During the two days that it took me to walk around the Birmingham NEC, I met a lot of great people with amazing products. I’ll also be doing fuller posts on some of these in the future. Read more about my Product of the Year – the ARS Needle Nose Fruit Snip.
I’ve divided my favourites into sections plus some individual posts:
Here are the best new tools:
New gardening tools – iTip Handles
Winners of the Best New Product in Garden Tools and Machinery and the Best of British Award. These handles remove the moment when the laden barrow is at the mid-tipping point of balance, when you need to change your grip from above to underneath. Suitable for all types of barrows, trolleys, cement mixers and wheelchairs with a handle diameter between 24mm and 32mm. They’re great for users with mobility or dexterity problems. I have really weak wrists and can vouch for this innovation!
The handles come in orange, green, yellow, pink, red, light blue, dark blue, black and purple, RRP £25, with complete wheelbarrows starting at £80. For more details, visit itiphandles.co.uk.
ARS Tools
The ARS Corporation in Japan has been manufacturing top-quality pruning tools since 1876. They’re now available in the UK through importers/distributors Sorbus. The range includes saws, pole saws, secateurs, telescopic pruners, shears, loppers, plus products for fruit harvesting, floristry and handicrafts, plus spare parts.
The pruning shears/secateurs have a ’squeeze open’ locking system, easily operated for weaker wrists. The rotating grip moves with the fingers as each cut is made. This reduces friction and prevents blisters and fatigue. The VS series has a squeeze locking system so the secateurs can easily be operated using one hand.
These are available in three sizes, RRPS:
- VS-7XR = £48.48
- VS-8XR = £53.84
- VS-9XR = £58.18
For more details, visit www.sorbus-intl.co.uk/tools/ars-range.
New gardening tools – Town & Country
New from Town & Country is the Neoprene Kneeler, a deluxe, padded and comfortable pad that helps to make moving around the garden easier. Made from durable polyester and extra soft, thick foam to provide maximum comfort and protection when planting and weeding. RRP £14.99, for more details, visit www.townandco.com.
Wilkinson Sword
The new Wilkinson Sword Ultralight Bypass Loppers are perfect if you have poor arm or upper body strength.
- Weighs 450g – 50 per cent lighter than a standard pair of loppers.
- Reduces arm fatigue to enjoy gardening for longer.
- Non-stick coated blade with 25mm cutting capacity for a precise, defined cut.
- Aluminium handles provide strength and lightness paired with soft grips for comfortable cutting.
- Ideal for young and green wood.
RRP £27.99, for more details, visit https://wilkinsonsword-tools.co.uk.
New gardening tools – Hozelock
Two products caught my eye, the Select Controller for watering, RRP £39 and the Green Power Evolution Thermal Weeder, RRP £59. The weeder offers a chemical-free way of dealing with weeds, especially on driveways, paths and patios. It’s electrically powered with a 3-metre cable, delivering a thermal shock of 600°C to the weed, causing the plant’s cells to burst, destroying it within seconds.
Requiring no chemicals or gas canisters, just switch on and go – no bending! It also has a barbecue firelighting function. The Select Controller is a cost-effective way to programme watering. Just set it to how often you want to water and when, and the system will take care of it, meaning no more lugging around heavy watering cans. For details, visit www.hozelock.com.
Burgon & Ball
These Left-Handed Bypass Secateurs – RHS Endorsed have fully hardened and tempered high carbon steel blades for lasting sharpness. Robust alloy handles are covered in a comfortable, bright terracotta grip so you don’t lose them. A rubber cushion prevents jarring due to repeated use. Cuts up to 2.5cm in diameter. RRP £19.99, for details, visit www.burgonandball.com.
Read more about the Garden Press Event’s tools and sheds.
