The best time to use a cultivator on your garden or allotment soil is autumn or spring, depending on the type of soil in your area. Autumn, before the rain and snow soak the ground, is better for clay soils.

The arrival of spring in the UK is becoming increasingly unpredictable. Although March and April have traditionally marked the beginning of lawn-mowing season, unusually warmer weather in January and February might mean you’ll need to start sooner.

With this in mind, here are some practical tips to getting your lawn - and your battery-powered mower - ready for action.