
Alex David
As a gardens and lifestyle contributor, Alex makes sure our readers find the right information to help them make the best purchase. Alex learned the tricks of the trade at the Good Housekeeping Institute, testing everything from vacuums to washing machines to dog toys to exercise bikes. He then moved to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, where he got into the weeds to discover the best gardening tools, machinery, and wildlife products. At a time when it can be tricky to know what's what, and when budgets are tighter than ever, helping readers to find the right products to make their lives a little easier is a genuine passion.
Latest articles by Alex David
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How to light a driveway – expert lighting tips for a cozy welcome homeExperts reveal how to light a driveway, explaining the best ways to use path lights, wall lights, well lights and more, for a cozy, welcoming driveway
By Alex David Published
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Surprising uses for a leaf blower – 5 clever hacks for clearing snow, drying a car, and moreLeaf blowers have a bad reputation as a single-use tool that can only handle leaves. However, we found some surprising uses for a leaf blower that really work
By Alex David Published
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Are solar water fountains effective? 5 reasons why a solar water fountain could be the missing piece in your yard designSolar fountains can be effective at keeping local wildlife healthy, but there are plenty of other benefits too. This is all you need to know
By Alex David Published
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Where to buy solar lights – a product tester reveals where to buy lights that look good and actually workFiguring out where to buy solar lights can be tricky, as there's so many cheap, flimsy lights out there. Here are all the best store for buying solar lights
By Alex David Published
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Indoor pizza ovens vs outdoor pizza ovens – which should you buy?If you're buying a pizza oven, it's smart to consider indoor pizza ovens vs outdoor pizza ovens. I've tested plenty of both - this all you need to know
By Alex David Published
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Are leaf vacuums ever worth it? This product tester isn't so sureIf you're wondering if leaf vacuums are worth it, I advise you to stay away. In the right circumstances they're invaluable - but they won't work for everyone
By Alex David Published
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Leaf vacuum vs leaf sweeper – which is best for your backyard?It can be hard to pick between a leaf vacuum vs leaf sweeper. Leaf vacuums give you mulch, but a leaf sweeper is better for big lawns. This is all you need to know
By Alex David Published
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How to light a yard for winter – 5 elegant and practical methods from lighting expertsIt's not obvious how to light a yard for winter. I spoke to lighting experts for 5 foolproof methods to light up your garden on the darkest winter night
By Alex David Published
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Why bother with a fire pit? 4 reasons fire pits are an essential for your yardIf you can start a bonfire in your backyard, why bother with a fire pit? I spoke to experts about how fire pits keep you safe – and on the right side of the law
By Alex David Published
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Fire pits vs fire tables – experts reveal which is best for your yardI spoke to experts about fire pits vs fire tables to work out which is best for your yard. This is all you need to know about these popular heating solutions
By Alex David Published
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Are leaf blowers bad for the environment? 5 ways leaf blowers can harm garden habitats and how to avoid themLeaf blowers can be very harmful to nature. I spoke to an environmental expert about the five ways leaf blowers can harm local plants and animals
By Alex David Published
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Can you cook on a fire pit? Chefs reveal 4 ways to cook more than s'moresChefs reveal if you can cook on a fire pit, and the 4 foolproof methods for backyard grilling. This is all you need to know about cooking on a fire pit
By Alex David Published
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Fire pits vs patio heaters – an expert designer reveals which is best for your spaceWith winter drawing in, it's smart to weigh up fire pits vs patio heaters. I spoke to the expert landscape designers to find out which is best
By Alex David Published
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How to restore a rusty fire pit – 4 simple steps from an artisan designer, and why you should never use vinegarI asked fire pit experts how to restore a rusty fire pit, and they gave me four incredibly simple steps. This all you need to know to fix your fire pit
By Alex David Published
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Leaf blower vs rake – expert gardeners reveal if you should go hi-tech or stay old-schoolAs they're increasingly regulated, it's smart to consider the drawbacks of a leaf blower vs a rake. I asked expert gardeners which tool comes out on top
By Alex David Published
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Is it ever worth buying a robot lawn mower? 5 considerations from garden expertsRobot mowers claim to do it all for you, but that's not entirely true. I spoke to expert to find out it it's ever worth buying a robot mower.
By Alex David Published
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Standing mowers vs riding mowers – a mowing expert reveals which is bestStanding mowers vs riding mowers is a heated debate among landscapers. I spoke to a landscaping expert to find out if standing mowers really are the best
By Alex David Published
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How to make solar lights work in winter – 4 simple tips from electrical expertsIt can be tricky to make solar lights work in winter. As a solar light tester, I spoke to electrical experts to find out how to make sure they shine all winter
By Alex David Published
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Why isn't my leaf blower working? 6 solutions to fix a gas leaf blowerIt's incredibly frustrating when your leaf blower won't work – this is all you need to know to fix the six most common leaf blower problems
By Alex David Published
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When is it antisocial to use a leaf blower? Experts reveal leaf blower etiquetteLeaf blowers can can be incredibly disruptive. I spoke to an etiquette expert for all you need to know about leaf blower etiquette
By Alex David Published
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Wooden vs vinyl fences – which is best? Construction experts weigh inThere's a lot to consider when it comes to wooden vs vinyl fences. I spoke to construction and fecning experts about the pros and cons of each material
By Alex David Published
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Patio covers vs pergolas – which outdoor structure is best?I spoke to a specialist about patio covers vs pergolas to find out which outdoor structure is best. While pergolas are sturdier, a patio cover is better value
By Alex David Published
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Do outdoor security lights deter animals? A wildlife expert explains why your lights won't keep unwanted animals awaySecurity lights keep humans at bay, but they won't work on raccoons, deer, or bears. According to a wildlife expert, this is what you need to do instead
By Alex David Published
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Leaf blowers vs leaf vacuums – which is best for your yard, and should you bother with either?It's not obvious which is best between leaf blowers v leaf vaccums. As a product tester, this is all you need to know about these controversial yard tools
By Alex David Published
