Green AND GIFTED
When writing your Christmas list, remember that the way to every gardener’s heart is a down-to-earth present, says Alan
It’s that time of the year again – the clock is ticking and you’ll have dicky fits when you work out just how few free days you have left to do your Christmas shopping.
If you’re stuck for ideas, head for the garden centre – or type garden gifts into the search engine of your computer – and you’ll be spoilt for choice. There’s something for everyone, whatever your budget.
If you’re looking for something for the whole family, a patio heater is a good buy
– the log-burning terracotta sort has a nice festive feel about it. Or how about a start-of-the-art barbecue? Both will find plenty of use over the holiday for family get-togethers that spill out on to the patio and they are perfect for roasting chestnuts, creating instant Dickensian ambience.
For the stylish set, garden lighting has a suitably designer feel – and will never go out of fashion.
But my top choice would be a greenhouse. It’ll give hours of pleasure all year round. If they already own one, how about adding useful accessories such as multistorey staging or a heated propagator – or a few home comforts like a greenhouse radio, a swivel stool or potting bench?
For first-time gardeners, how about a set of gardening tools, a good small mower, a shed or some good-quality garden furniture.
For under the £30 mark, a good pair of slip-on, rubber gardening clogs, a decorative, cast-iron boot scraper or a welly rack are good, practical presents.
Other possibilities include topiary shears (which are handy for a whole range of jobs), good secateurs with a holster-style belt or a really unusual and attractive hanging basket.
Anything to do with wildlife is bound to be welcome. Garden centres are
packed with feeders, nest boxes, birdbaths and all the gear, but look out for something a bit different, like bird-feeding bowls on tall, bendy stalks that you push into borders or the sort that stick on to a window with a rubber suction cup.
Stocking fillers for under £5 are the trickiest garden gifts to buy. Go for packs of plant labels, a mini watering can or mist sprayer for indoor plants, little bottles of house plant feed or small pot plants.
For a good range of gardening books, try the book shop at the RHS garden at Wisley, in Surrey (01483 211320, rhs.org.uk).
Happy shopping!