How’s Christmas purchasing going? Should you’re caught for concepts, listed below are some options for the gardener in your life.
TOP HAT
Let’s begin on the prime. Solar, rain or snow, each gardener wants safety from the weather. I purchased my Tilley in 1995 and have worn it in each continent besides Antarctica.
Days out: Annual RHS membership contains entry to pretty Hyde Corridor in Chelmsford, Essex
Indestructible, broad-brimmed and light-weight, it fends off rain, snow, solar and chicken droppings. An authentic, T1 unisex hat like mine continues to be accessible and excellent for all-round use.
- From £56 at uk.tilley.com and good outdoor outlets.
SMALL WONDER
Attempt the traditional artwork of rising scaled-down bushes. All Issues Bonsai supply kits, every with a small, mature tree and ceramic pot. They’re costly, however what you purchase has taken years to develop.
- Kits price from £35 upwards at allthingsbonsai.co.uk.
KNIVES OUT
The Victorinox Explorer Swiss military knife has 16 options together with a magnifying glass for recognizing tiny pests akin to purple spider. A less expensive different, the Camper, has 13 features.
- £46 for the Explorer; £23 for the Camper, victorinox.com/uk.
TURN ON THE HEAT
Two Wests’ Quadruple Propagator comes with 4 plant trays and clear tops. A thermostat-controlled, electrical heating pad retains your cuttings or seedlings on the required temperature. A really perfect reward for producing home-grown crops.
- £179 plus £5.99 supply, twowests.co.uk.
All Issues Bonsai supply kits, every with a small, mature tree and ceramic pot
JOIN THE CLUB
Royal Horticultural Society membership would make a superb reward. Take pleasure in entry to 5 magnificent gardens, an informative month-to-month journal, precedence entry to RHS flower reveals and a lot extra.
- Particular person membership prices £53 per 12 months, or £78.75 for a pair, rhs.org.uk.
HOE, HOE, HOE
The Japanese Razor Hand Hoe from The Worm That Turned has a pointy, angled blade for single-handed use. You may weed quickly and effectively between crops. A left-hand model can also be accessible.
- £25.95 from worm.co.uk.
PRINT PERFECT
I purchased a Brother PT-D210VP Desktop Labelling Machine, which I exploit for marking treasured crops. The Qwerty keyboard makes it straightforward to kind and print weather-proof, adhesive labels. Stick them on to steel tabs they usually’ll final for years.
- £59.99, brother.co.uk.
DAILY INSPIRATION
Superbly illustrated, The RHS’s A Plant For Each Day Of The 12 months by Philip Clayton options 365 beautiful crops.
- £20 from store. rhs.org.uk.
GROW A MIRACLE
‘Develop one thing new from seed’: that’s the motto of Chiltern Seeds, Britain’s most fascinating provider. In addition to exotics and sought-after backyard varieties, they inventory wildflower seeds and mixes for pollinators.
KEEP COSY
When gardening in winter, your arms have to be free, however your physique wants safety from the chilly. That’s why sleeveless physique heaters are invaluable.
My decisions are: the Bronte Quilted Bodywarmer, at £17.99; and the extra substantial, Bronte Derby Tweed Area Waistcoat, lowered to £48.95.
- Go to hollandscountry clothes.co.uk.
