The 20 essential gardening tools every outdoor space needs this summer

RHS-approved and with a life-time guarantee, this stainless steel spade is rust-resistant and won't need regular sharpening, making it easy to maintain. Long-handle spades like this are great for digging large plots and transferring soil (not to mention being easier on your back). This is also a sustainable choice with the handle made from FSC-certified ash.

Add a splash of colour and pattern to your garden activities with these stylish William Morris-print gloves. Not just for good looks, of course, they'll also protect you from thorns and brambles while you're working.

Keep your garden looking spic and span and free from leaves and debris with this top-notch Kent & Stowe rake, which makes clearing up much more pleasurable.

Protect your knees while getting in amongst the borders with this pretty kneeler featuring birds, flowers and foliage. Along with the matching gardening gloves (available here), this will make a lovely gift for yourself or a special gardener in your life.

The ultimates hand tool, trowels are wonderful for transplanting bedding plants and herbs, and planting containers. Hand forks, meanwhile, are perfect for taking out weeds. Not only are these a lovely on-trend copper, the material naturally doesn't rust and repels slugs and snails.

Opt for a more eco-friendly electric lawnmower as opposed to a petrol one. This two-in-one offering also includes an electric grass trimmer.

Protect your clothes and get organised with a sturdy gardening apron. Whether you're planting new flowerbeds, picking vegetables or potting around in the shed or greenhouse, this trusty piece will ensure your clothes stay clean. Plus, important tools, seeds and more can be stored close to hand in the front pocket.

Ensure your hedges and borders looks super smart with an easy-lift, lightweight, cable-free trimmer for quick and easy grooming.

Keep track of what you've planted with these stylish slate plant labels. The set comes complete with a square soapstone pencil, which allows you to interchange the labels with what's in season or current family favourites

An efficient tool for turning soil, garden forks can dig into dense soil better than a spade. This one made from rust-proof stainless steel with forged tines for extra strength, is a high-quality digging fork that's endorsed by the RHS. Need we say more?

Plants taking over? Pruning shears – or secateurs, as they're also known – help rein in plants that are getting out of control. This compact pair is perfect for small pruning jobs around the garden.

This well-crafted garden hoe will make light work of clearing weeds from your flower beds, borders and veg plots. The extra-long handle will also protect you from back strain.

All gardens need a trusty watering can to keep flowers and plants thriving. This durable one is available in three sizes, so you can choose the one to suit your outdoor space. The 1.5L variant is perfect for herb pots on plant stands. Choose the 5L capacity for small gardens with plant pots and flowers. Opt for 10L if you tend to vast rural flowerbeds and herb gardens.

Tackle a variety of different tasks around your garden with ease with the simple press of a button. This handy trimmer can be used to edge the borders of your lawn, and a wheel is fitted to the trimmer, making it easier to follow the edges around walls and fences. There's also a shrubbing mode, making it simple to tackle difficult-to-reach areas, like under benches and bushes.

Keep everything together in a clever storage box that also doubles up as a foldable seat. You'll enjoy gardening so much more if you're comfortable and everything is to hand. The removable bag fastens with press studs and includes spacious side compartments for hand tools, dibbers, pens, string, and other necessities, and a central section perfect for larger items or a spot of lunch.

Another handy cutting tool, loppers are basically long-handled pruning shears used to trim hard-to-reach areas and cut thicker branches. This one comes with a pair of secateurs included.

Maintain an ideal growing environment with an easy-to-use soil tester kit. You can test the pH and nutrient profile of your soil, think soil acidity and levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash, to see if it needs extra help.

Water is the foundation of your garden’s life, and it’s important that your garden hose can reach and spray every area. This 100 ft hosepipe allows you to reach every last corner of your green space. Afterwards, it retracts for easy storing.