GIFTS FOR GARDENERS
CHRISTMAS is coming fast and that’s no humbug. Only 20 shopping days remain, so time is still on your side — just. For gardeners among your dear ones, here are some suggestions which might be helpful.
SUPERB SECATEURS
AMONG the vast range of snippers and clippers, nothing beats Felco products. Swiss-made, there are models for all, including lefthanders. The Felco 7 model has a rotating handle, reducing muscle fatigue and cramp in the hand. Its equivalent for left-handed users is Felco 10. Available in good garden centres. Online suppliers include worldoffelco.co.uk. Prices from £43.82.
FUN TIMES FOR FUNGI
WITH these special culture packs you can grow delicious mushrooms and other edible fungi at home. From white button mushrooms to exotic oyster fungi or even weird-looking lion’s mane, you can buy windowsill kits or spawn plugs. Prices from £9.99 though most products are £13.99 from Suttons seeds (suttons.co.uk).
RIDDLE ME THIS
FOR making your own potting compost and for other uses, a large, sturdy sieve or riddle is indispensable. Different tasks may require a variety of mesh-sizes, but the most useful all-rounder is a quarter-inch. Prices run from £7.99 for a coated metal sieve screwfix.com to £19.59 for wooden-framed sieves from suttons.co.uk.
LOTIONS & POTIONS
THE Bramley Gardener’s Greenhouse Beauty Set is just right for a little apres jardin luxury. A prettily decorated, greenhouse-shaped pack contains handwashes, hand cream and lotions. Priced £38 from johnlewis.com.
ROBOT MOWERS
THE Flymo Easilife 150 GO robotic lawnmower cuts up to 150 sq m of lawn on one charge all by itself — perfect if you are short of time. Equipped with safety sensors, it moves within an adjustable wire boundary enclosure, supplied with the mower. Prices range from £384.99 to £700. Available from Amazon and many suppliers..
RAISING YOUNGSTERS
EVEN without a greenhouse, you can raise seeds and cuttings with a heated windowsill propagator. The Garland Super7 Electric Windowsill features everything a good propagator needs. Seven mini-propagators fit on the 30in, electrically heated base. At just 13watts, energy, running costs are low, £37.95, ashwoodnurseries.com.
THREE GREAT BOOKS
For grown-ups: The Flower Yard by Arthur Parkinson (Kile Books). Illustrated with views of his own, dropdead gorgeous garden, Parkinson kicks off a spectacular container revolution. Widely available from £15.41.
For children: Grow, Forage and Make by Alys Fowler, illustrated by Heidi Griffiths (Kew Publications). Alys describes fun things to do with plants. Paperback from £7.72.
For all: The RHS Encyclopedia Plants and Flowers (Royal Horticultural Society and D&K). An essential reference book for any gardener. Priced £35 from rhs.org.uk.
TOUGH GLOVES
GOLD Leaf Tough Touch are the most versatile gardening gloves available. Sensitive for finicky jobs, but with the flexible toughness of deerskin, they’re suitable for most garden tasks. The long gauntlet design also protects forearms so they’re perfect for pruning thorny plants. From £26 in garden centres and online.
GREENHOUSE HEATER
AN INEXPENSIVE 3 kilowatt fan heater is just right for a small to medium greenhouse. Thermostatically controlled, with three heat settings, it can keep your greenhouse frost free, £63.39 at twowests.co.uk