Gardening gifts

For the treasured horticulturalist in your life...

Ho ho ho - Christmas is nearly upon us.

Like I’ve said before, I’m not a hugely consumerist person and to everyone’s disappointment will always ask for socks for Christmas. However, after working many years outdoors as a freelance gardener, I feel I've become quite good at suggesting gifts for the gardener.

1. Nutscene garden string - ah garden string. The company Nutscene sells coloured string which makes me very cheerful when pruning and tying in roses. Last year, I treated myself to the lime green and the brown of their jute twine spools and they are my favourite strings and sometimes feel too treasured to use.

   

   String inside my garden shed. Photo by Alex Edouard for Niwaki

2. Niwaki sickle - perfect for cutting down plants in the garden at the end of the season. Very wholesome and a charming addition to any tool shed. They sell a few sickles, each with a different purpose so i’ve broken them down below:

   1. The herbaceous sickle (for cutting down herbaceous perennials),

   2. the mini sickle (for glass house propagation and those who like to potter)

   3. Niwaki sickle which you might use for grasses or light work in the garden.

   

   My favourite vintage sickle!

3. David Austin roses - I would always suggest a gift voucher, as the pleasure in a owning a rose, is choosing it yourself.

I was bought a gift voucher last year, and treated myself to two new roses - here are my three David Austin roses currently in possession - Rosa ‘Kew Gardens’, Rosa ‘Dainty Bess’, Rosa ‘Tottering Along Gently’.

I found this rose in a pot on the side of the road, its quite garish in colour but still brings my plenty of joy :-)

4. Real seeds gift pack - If you know someone who loves to grow vegetables or maybe an allotment plot holder, I’d suggest buying seeds. Real seeds grow heirloom varieties and sell gift packs! A very thoughtful gift and I don’t feel that you can go wrong with any seeds you gift someone as growing vegetables is all about happy surprises and curiosity.

Vintage seed packets gifted by a client

5. Ars secatuers - A great price point, carbon steel, cut through the maximum capacity 20mm and a bright colour so they don’t get lost.

   I spotted these at Hampton court garden show and was totally smitten by them, sadly my lilac secateurs were stolen but my lovely partner bought me the cream coloured for my birthday.

6. Labour and Wait’s utility box - I personally don’t own this utility box however, dearly wish for it. It’s perfect for storing gardener’s bits or anything DIY related. In fact, I have a similar Trusso box which I use to store my hammer, nails, pliers and tape measures but the khaki tinted metal brings a glimmer to my eye.

7. Gardening gloves - an essential part of the gardener’s kit and a good pair of gloves can bring such joy. Check out Brier’s thermal gloves!

   Also, a shout out to the glove clip. I am known for putting things down and immediately forgetting where I have put them - leaving a trail of gloves, troughs, spades and kneeling pads. However, the handy glove clip is a good friend won’t allow for that! I previously bought mine from Ebay and it was perfect, however I have a new shiny one purchased in Japan <3

8. Quality time at the Garden Museum - A place to view vintage garden tools and oddly, Alan Titchmarsh’s fleece behind glass. They have a charming section of pieces exhibited - it’s also great for kids as you can build you own garden out of blocks too! They put on great exhibitions, have the most delicious restaurant (I always treat myself to their cookie) and have a wonderful glasshouse and garden!

This garden gnome looks so much like Jim Broadbest!

9. A thermos or travel tumbler - I have this thermos and it’s perfect for transporting my hot lunches. It comes with a little fold out spoon which fits with the set too :-) I also have the Kinto waterbottle which keeps my water cool in summer and my chamomile tea hot in winter - perfecto!

This is my heavy duty Quechea which I take out to picnics or to share tea at the allotment with my papa

10. Socks - I will always turn to Blundstone. I was kindly gifted a pair, and after eight years outside, I will confidently tell you they are by far the best gardening sock on the market. They are merino wool so keep my feet very warm and currently appearing to be very durable. They are at a higher price point, however, I feel they are worth the investment, after years of Marks and Spencer socks wearing at the heel.

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    So there we have it - the perfect gardener’s gifts. Of course, this list could be far more extensive including ikebana themed gifts (Japanese flowering arranging), clothing, more tools, holsters and beauty products and in the future, I’ll share more.

    I’ll take a few weeks off during the festive season to enjoy copious mince pies and sausage rolls and the pleasure of central heating!