
Pete Wise
Pete has reviewed hundreds of gardening products for titles including TopTenReviews, Ideal Home and the London Evening Standard, as well as writing articles on diverse topics for other publications such as The Guardian and BBC Good Food. Pete loves spending time in his yard – although, having just read The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham, he is regarding his plants with a newfound suspicion.
Latest articles by Pete Wise

Napoleon TravelQ PRO285 Portable Gas Grill review
By Pete Wise published
Review Our reviewer tests the Napoleon TravelQ PRO285 portable gas grill. How well does it cook burgers, chicken and vegetables?

How to repair an electric stove top burner
By Pete Wise published
How to Is your electric stove top burner broken? In this guide, electricians explain how to fix it.

How to install an electric fireplace: axe your log burner and save some money
By Pete Wise published
How to An electrician explains how to install a freestanding or wall-mounted electric heater, from planning to fitting.

Tankless water heater vs tank: what does your home need?
By Pete Wise published
Versus Traditional water heaters have a water storage tank, but tankless water heaters are now increasingly common. In this guide, experts explain the pros and cons of each option.

How to install an electric baseboard heater (and when to get expert help)
By Pete Wise published
How to Heating and electrical experts explain the steps to install an electric baseboard heater – and when you should get help from an electrician or heating engineer.

5 reasons to till your soil: experts explain when to use your tiller this fall
By Pete Wise last updated
Advice Tilling can make a huge difference to soil health and productivity – for better or for worse. Context is crucial, so we asked experts exactly when and why you should till.

How to tighten a chainsaw chain: expert tips for correct tensioning
By Pete Wise published
How to A loose chainsaw chain can damage the tool and endanger its user. Follow these simple steps to tighten your chainsaw’s chain regularly.

6 reasons not to use a tiller in your garden: experts explain the downsides
By Pete Wise published
Advice Tilling can aerate the soil and make it less compacted, but there are also some serious downsides. No-till and low-till growers dish the dirt on why you shouldn’t till your soil.

10 yard projects to complete in November—according to experts
By Pete Wise published
Advice Our gardening writer talks you through 10 yard projects you can complete this November.

9 things to know before buying a new lawn mower
By Pete Wise published
Advice Experts explain some key points to consider before buying a new lawn mower, from the size of your lawn to mower type and specifications.

How to sharpen a pruning blade: step-by-step guidance from a world-leading shears-maker
By Pete Wise published
How to An artisanal shears-maker provides his best advice on sharpening your pruner for improved cutting performance and better plant health.

How to maintain a ride-on mower: checks, cleaning and replacing components
By Pete Wise published
How to We spoke to two lawn care experts to find out the five steps you need to take to maintain your lawn tractor or zero-turn mower.

Best pruners 2025: our top 9 recommended pruning shears for your yard
By Pete Wise last updated
Buying guide Find a set of the best pruners with our comprehensive guide, featuring Felco, Greenworks, Ryobi and more.

When is the best time to scarify? Lawn experts reveal all
By Pete Wise published
Advice Lawn scarification can make grass healthier and thicker – but these benefits depend on the right timing. We spoke to lawn care experts to find out when’s the best time to scarify.

GARDENA 8857-81 2-step Adjustable Bypass Pruners review: these all-purpose bypass pruning shears cost under $1 a year
By Pete Wise published
Review Find out how well this affordable Gardena bypass pruner performed in our hands-on testing, from dead-heading flowers to pruning branches.

How to maintain your cordless lawn mower: from cleaning and sharpening to yearly checks
By Pete Wise published
How to We spoke to three lawn care experts to learn the key steps in their lawn mower maintenance schedule, from cleaning to winter storage.

How to use pruning shears: a guide to getting the perfect cut (without harming your plants)
By Pete Wise published
How to Our gardening expert demonstrates a plant-friendly approach to using a pruner, from prepping the shears to pruning and clean-up.

Opinel Hand Pruning Shears review: are these the world’s most stylish secateurs?
By Pete Wise published
Review These French-made bypass pruners have a surpassingly stylish design. But how well do they cut? Find out in our testing-based review.

What does a tiller do? We go in-depth with experts on the powerful tool and explore when to use an alternative
By Pete Wise published
Advice Experts explain what a tiller does and why it may not be the ideal tool for every user.

When is the best time to prune? Expert tips for healthier plants
By Pete Wise published
Advice Timely pruning can greatly improve the health and appearance of plants and trees. Here, we explain when is the best time to prune the plants in the yard.

How to use a hedge trimmer: 6 steps for a pro-quality trim
By Pete Wise published
How to Hedge and gardening experts explain the right way how to use a hedge trimmer, from preparing the tool to trimming with perfect technique.

10 uses for a string trimmer: from lawn edging to cutting weeds
By Pete Wise published
Advice I asked gardening experts to talk through the ten things you can do with a string trimmer, from whacking weeds to mulching leaves.

Is a self-propelled lawn mower worth it? Experts share the pros and cons
By Pete Wise published
Advice Experts weigh in on the pros and cons of a self-propelled lawn mower, from mowing performance to the up-front and ongoing costs.
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