Forget the last minute dash to the garden centre for a pot of crumpled lavender, your gardening friends and relatives are worthy of a little more consideration. Fortunately, we’ve done the hard work for you and have picked out this selection of gift-worthy goods…
1. Herb collection
Trust the space saving Swedes to conjure up this perfect herby stocking filler. Each pack contains three pots, three growing blocks, and three packs of seed – basil, coriander and oregano. All that’s required to turn it into a miniature kitchen garden is water, a windowsill and a little patience.
Available from: Ikea
Price: £2.50
2. Spools of Twine
Step forward the Whiteface Dartmoor sheep, for now is your chance to shine. For it is these same baa-ing beauties that have allowed their fleece to be spun into woolly twine, nattily known as ‘twool’. It’s organic, biodegradable and durable enough for the garden and, packaged in three colours, is perfectly decorative for tying labels to allotment chutneys and jams.
Available from: www.potterandrest.co.uk
Price: £10.95
3. Wilko Stag Thermometer
Mount this hansom stag on an outside wall for accurate, stylish temperature readings. No need to consult with the Met Office before venturing down the allotment – instantly tell WITH YOUR OWN EYES whether or not you should have mulched your dahlias, put on an extra pair of socks or to just crawl back under a duvet and watch Elf on the telly.
Available from: www.wilko.com
Price: £6
4. Chestnut mushrooms growing box
What do you give the person who has everything? Mushrooms, of course. This growing kit from Merryhill Mushrooms contains everything you need for a fungus frenzy – simply place the box in a light part of the house, water, and watch the chestnut mushrooms rise – allowing your lucky recipients to enjoy the freshest mushroom stronganoff known to mankind. These kits are primed and ready for growth, making them a perfect last minute purchase.
Available from: www.nutleyskithcengardens.co.uk
Price: £11.95
5. RHS The Garden Anthology
Our favourite gardening book of the year is this sumptuously illustrated collection of garden writing from the RHS members magazine. With theories and practical advice from the past 100 years, from Gertrude Jekyll to James Wong, it proves that good knowledge can last a lifetime. For more information check out our review of the book.
To order RHS The Garden Anthology at the discounted price of £13.50 including p&p* (RRP: £16.99), telephone 01903 828503 or email mailorders@lbsltd.co.uk and quote the offer code APG233.
6. Fiskars P68 bypass pruners
These razor sharp pruners will slice comfortably through brutal brutal brambles and deal with errant branches up to 24mm. They are equipped with a switch that alters the grip width to suit all hand sizes, and are resplendent in eye-catching orange to ensure your posh pruner present doesn’t accidentally end up in the recycling bin during a furious pruning session.
Available from: Homebase
Price: £19.99
7. Gardens Illustrated subscription
The gardening gift that keeps on giving (for at least 6 months), our favourite AWARD WINNING garden mag is packed with planting inspiration, canny advice and awesome photography.
Save 35% on the magazine’s shop price plus choose a bonus gift – a Sneeboer weeding tool or a two-book bundle by clicking here* or call 0844 844 0253 quoting GITTG1214.
Make it snappy though, Christmas gift orders must be placed by 15th December (see below).
Price: £17.55 every 6 issues
*Free gift is available to UK residents only and 35% saving is only available to UK residents paying by Direct Debit. Stock is subject to availability and Gardens Illustrated reserves the right to substitute the gift for another. Gifts in stock will be sent separately within 28 days. Christmas gift orders must be placed by 15 December 2014. You will be sent a Christmas gift card to give to the recipient. Your subscription will start with the next available issue. Offer ends 31 December 2014.
Note: we asked all the suppliers for review product in order to check they were all of sufficient quality for our recommendation.
