This archive brings together practical, experience-led articles from The Backyard Farmer, covering gardening, DIY, indoor growing, foraging, reviews, and sustainable living. Each post is written with real-world use in mind — focusing on working with nature, building practical skills, and making sustainable choices more accessible.
If you’re after a garden tool that blends rugged practicality with proper old-school craftsmanship, the Barebones Hori Hori Knife might just be your new favourite bit of kit. Unlike flimsy trowels or throwaway multi-tools, this Japanese-inspired knife is built to graft. With a full-tang steel
The Worx WG163E switches between grass trimming and wheeled edging, but the head and shaft adjustment can feel awkward the first few times you use it. I own and use the WG163E regularly, and once you know where the locking points are, changing modes is
A good hori hori combines a digging blade, weeding knife and root-cutting edge in one compact garden tool. After using the Japeto model for weeding, planting, dividing perennials and opening compost bags, it has earned a permanent place in my gardening kit. My top overall
The Simpa 180L is an extra-large galvanised garden incinerator designed for bulky seasonal clear-ups. I have used this model while working in a client’s garden, and its main advantage is the generous capacity, although its size, lightweight construction and eventual weathering are worth considering. For
The Worx WG543E LeafJet is a compact 20V cordless leaf blower designed for routine garden clear-ups rather than heavy-duty leaf moving. I use it in my gardening work for clearing patios, paths, lawns and lighter garden debris, where its low weight and surprisingly strong airflow
The Worx WG163E is a lightweight 20V cordless grass trimmer and wheeled edger designed for routine maintenance in small to medium gardens. I use it regularly for edging lawns, tidying around beds and trimming lighter grass, so this review is based on hands-on experience. Its
The Worx WG324E is a compact 20V cordless pruning saw designed for small branches, shrubs and lighter garden cutting jobs. I use mine regularly in my gardening work because it is quick to grab, easy to control and far less cumbersome than reaching for a
The Worx WG264E is a lightweight 20V cordless hedge trimmer with a 56cm blade and 20mm cutting capacity. I use mine regularly in gardening work for maintaining domestic hedges, where its low weight and long blade make it particularly easy to handle for routine trimming.
Worx tools are generally a good choice for homeowners, DIYers and gardeners who value lightweight handling, cordless convenience and reasonable prices. I use several Worx garden tools in my professional gardening work, and the strongest models offer a useful balance of performance and ease of
The Worx WG252E is a 20V cordless pole hedge trimmer designed for maintaining taller hedges from ground level. I use mine regularly in gardening work because the telescopic shaft and adjustable cutting head make it much easier to reach hedge tops and upper sides without
Introduction: Why Choose this Cheap Compost Bin? Composting is a simple way to use a cheap compost bin and one of the easiest and most impactful way: If you’re looking for an affordable and eco-friendly solution to manage organic waste, the SAKUSEI 300 Litre Outdoor
Introduction: Why Choose the GEME Electric Compost Bin? Today, sustainability isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity. How we manage kitchen waste plays a huge role in reducing our environmental footprint. That’s where the GEME Electric Compost Bin comes in. This innovative bin transforms food scraps