You certainly can’t get far in life without a good watering can. Well, that’s the view we like to take anyway. If you’re in the market for a new rain-maker, then here’s our pick of the best.

THE STALWART CAN
Haws watering cans - made in England since 1886 - are the old faithfuls of watering cans, but their fab range of colours makes them very much at home in the contemporary garden too. Available in metal, plastic, or precious metals depending on your needs or desires, there’s something for everyone. Our favourite is the 4.5 Litre Metal Traditional Can in ‘Sage’, pretty enough to leave out among the alliums!

£39.99

THE URBAN CAN
Orla Kiely’s angular cans scream ‘urban gardener’. If you’re all about monochrome plantings and neatly clipped hedging, then this stylish grey is the can for you. Otherwise, go for the delightfully cheery bright orange version.

£39.95

THE FUN CAN
Colourful, funky and fun, the Ohlala watering can is the epitome of playful garden design. Fun for you and fun for the kids, even just looking at is guaranteed to bring a smile. Available form Barbed.

£39.50

THE CLASSIC CAN
This shining 9 litre beauty from The Worm That Turned won’t have only the worms craning their necks when they see it swinging down the garden path – the neighbours will be at it too! The classic look fits with most gardens, and the clever design means it automatically tips further forward as it empties.

£42.00

THE SOPHISTICATED CAN
With a superb range of fantastic-looking watering cans, it is almost impossible to choose a favourite from the Balcony Gardener’s selection. Their Bookend Bloccon watering cans, £14, are really fun for indoor gardening, while the X Three Watering Can, pictured above, is the design-junkie’s can of choice. Available in solid copper (seen here), brass or painted steel.

X Three Watering Can, £45-65

THE VINTAGE CAN
Don’t let the flowers fool you – although this vintage French can (should we have called it the ‘can can’?!) from Reclamation Warriors looks beautiful sporting a flower arrangement, it’s in absolutely perfect shape and ready to be pressed into service at a moment’s notice. Proof that things only get better with age!

Around £65; prices vary depending on product

THE PRETTY CAN
For pretty and practical, Sophie Conran’s cans tick all the boxes and are good value at under £15. They have been designed to feel perfectly balanced in the hand, as well as being lovely enough to leave out on display.

£14.95

We adore the colours of autumn, but if you can’t see your garden for the leaves, maybe it’s time for a tidy up. We’ve chosen five of the best rakes out there which will make light work of sweeping up.

Hot on the heels of bonfire night, this long-handled beech rake from Garden Trading caught our eye. Buy it on its own for £16, or as part of a nifty bonfire kit, complete with a fork and leather gauntlet gloves for £60.

This Flexo Lawn and Leaf Rake from Sheffield-based traditional tool maker Joseph Bentley has a 178cm long ash wood handle and a stainless steel head with tread edge. Buy it from Harrod Horticultural for £23.95.

Sneeboer has an enviable reputation for its hand-forged steel garden tools - and is not afraid to put its money where its mouth is. This lightweight 1.7m ash rake with stainless steel head comes with a five year guarantee. It costs £23.95 from Harrod Horticultural.

This aluminium Neverbend Adjustable Lawn Rake by Spear & Jackson expands from 7″ to a 24″ span to accommodate all your raking needs. It costs £18.99 from Barnitts.

This dinky hand rake designed by Sophie Conran for Burgon & Ball is perfect for gathering up leaves between plants in beds and borders. It costs £15.95.