The final touch to your green and grassy masterpiece

Despite an afternoon spent cutting the grass, there can still be blemishes. That’s where a trimmer comes in — and there’s plenty to suit all needs, says Kya de Longchamps

Most of us know them by the Black & Decker branded name of Strimmers — grass trimmers used for precision cutting and equipped with whirling nylon threads rather than a blade. Edges, borders and banks — an electric- or petrol-driven trimmer can handle all those odd spaces and awkward reaches that defy the mower, tickling the base of trees, shrubs and even flowers to take out that spoiling shagginess after you’ve cut the grass.

Larger machines can whip through the toughest weeds on unyielding rough ground where a wheeled machine would falter. The four big names in trimmers are Black & Decker, Husqvarna, Flymo and Bosch, but generic and lesser name brands from suppliers including B&Q and Argos (Challenge) are well priced. Ryobi, a relatively recent arrival on the gardening power scene, also has well regarded trimmers in many DIY outlets.