Hopefully my recommendations will not disappoint the intended recipient gardener if you are short on thought.
I could not work without my super sharp Niwaki secateurs and holster. With their blades forged in one piece from blue paper carbon steel these are beautiful handcrafted pieces of essential kit. I use mine daily and cannot foresee a time when I will need to replace them. (unless I forget to put them back in my holster) I would go as far to say they are indispensable.
An indestructible phone case, is always a good idea. With my phone regularly falling out of my pocket I now have the added bonus in that it will be easy to find.
All gardeners need a hat. This is mine, and has been years ( as you can probably tell) Yes, it is slightly squashed, but entirely functional throughout all the seasons..
Maybe a short gardening course would make a great gift ? Independent nurseries appear to be offering more courses, so why not check what is local to you ? I attended several at the Wildegoose nursery this year. , Michael Marriott, Derry Watkins, and Jimi Blake were the speakers, and as you can imagine they were great courses.
You really should check out the Garden Master Class courses. They really would make the best present. I have been to Scampston, and Jimi Blakes garden in Wicklow. The 2019 new course programme is on-line, and looks incredibly exciting, imaginative and very affordable. Role on July, as I have booked their Utrecht course to visit one of Piet Oudolf’s gardens.
All gardeners need books. I own hundreds, and love to curl up to read. My recommendations for this year are “Dreamscapes inspiration and beauty in the garden near and far” by the internationally acclaimed Australian photographer Claire Takas. This book is stunning, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Lia Leenditz’s writing style is joyful, and these annual almanac’s are such a great read. I keep mine in the car, for wet work days, when I need to retreat to the dry. They too should be a must read book for all gardeners.
I love a notebook, and pen. This tiny Moleskine, really does fit in my pocket, and is great for plant identification and thoughts as I work.
I received some gardening gift vouchers last Christmas. I bought the majority of my seeds, and compost and grew my garden for no more than £50.00. What a great present that was.
Why not take out a subscription to a journal ? . Gardening Which has been indispensable for over twenty years. Gardens Illustrated is a truly beautiful journal, with world-wide coverage of incredible gardens. The photographic illustration is quite sublime.
A box of chocolates should go down well. There is nothing better than a chocolate, Niwaki secateurs and a flask of coffee in a garden on a sharp blue sky winter day.
Oh yes ! balls of string are pretty essential. I go through them like no ones business. A customer gave me these scissors years ago, I love them and I have yet to see anyone else with a similar pair.
I hope this guide proves useful – It has for me, in that it has made me think of a new venture “Advisor to the unequipped gardeners of this world”
Happy present finding.
Sal x
Sally Wicks 