As you can see from the theme of this week’s posts, that mini summer we experienced over Easter has turned everyone’s heads towards all things green and lush. And I am no exception. Whilst my garden is certainly in no shape to rival Lisa’s gorgeous outdoor space, I am, however attempting to grow many vegetables from seed this year. We have transplanted some to the garden now that they’ve grown and the frosts are gone (hopefully, although with climate change we don’t really know what we’re in for these days!). I’m not in a place to be buying garden furniture and all things big and spendy (we have a lot more work to do on the house before that budget gets freed up). So I thought I’d share with you some of my fave gardening essentials for the amateur green thumb.
Hand Tools & Gloves
I find gardening gloves for women tend to be very… Floral. Nothing wrong with that of course, it’s just that I would like a bit more variety and a few more neutral options. I have often been attracted to the manly tan tweed gloves, but often they only come in ‘large’ or ‘extra large’ so no matter how much I want to negate the genderisation of gardening paraphernalia, I can’t exactly have my gloves fall of my hands either. I do like this set and this set by Burgon and Ball though. A good set of hand tools are an absolute must and I loved that these razor sharp secateurs come with a leather pouch. My usual garden injury is being careless with those bad boys.
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For The Plants
I can see my vegetable bed from our kitchen window and I cannot tell you how happy it makes me to see these beautiful little copper plant labels lined up in a row. The glint of metallic amongst the green is just gorgeous. These plant labels are also good for bushes or shrubs like the tiny gooseberry and raspberry bushes against our fence. A decent galvanised watering can with a good rose is absolutely an essential and I don’t travel far in the garden without some kind of bucket for carrying the inevitable and ever-accumulating pile of weeds.
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Nice To Haves
Yes, yes, I know I’ve titled this post ‘essentials’ but what would a shopping post be without some beautiful extras? I’ve wanted a garden apron for longer than I’ve owned a garden, now I want this gorgeous denim one. Alternatively, this M&S garden tool carrier could also be pretty helpful. “Where is my kneeling pad?” is a regular (albeit geriatric) question I find myself broadcasting across the garden every time I’m out there. I know they’re not the most fashionable things a girl could wear, but these knee pads have to be the most practical thing I’ve ever seen in the gardening section. Less practical, more frivolous is this stylish garden speaker from ASDA. At £28, it’s worth trying out! Especially if it means that I can drown out the Bon Jovi that my weekend car washing neighbour blasts on repeat.
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That’s a little round up of my gardening essentials for you. Oh and in case anyone is interested in a good seed supplier, we bought all of our seeds from Real Seeds. I can’t recommend them enough, every single one has germinated and the whole choosing/buying process was super simple.
Are you a seasoned gardener or a wannabe like me? Any essentials you care to add to the list?
Raspberries are awesome! And rhubarb – if you like rhubarb definitely try to plant some next year, it is so pleasing to see it come through the ground every spring. Must-haves include ratcheting secateurs. Never knew how amazing they were, we actually bought them by accident instead of normal ones, but boy can they cut through anything. Seriously amazing if you have some pretty chunky branches to chop through. Also lots of lovely twine for tying in. I’m not really a gardener but I’m very good at directing others (my poor husband), and doing a bit of tying up plants as needed 🙂 Good luck with the veg this year!
Annie you sound like a proper gardener! I think I need those ratcheting secateurs. 🤔 My mother in law grows enough rhubarb to feed our village 😂. I actually make rhubarb and orange marmalade for us and a bunch of our neighbours with it every year.
I absorb information, I don’t actually put much of it to good use though! My parents (and grandparents) have grown vegetables for as long as I can remember so I hear lots of talk, and have a few things in my own garden. I’m rubbish at carrots and mange tout though! Rhubarb is a bit prolific I grant you – how lovely to have access to some through family 🙂
Think i need those Cooper plant labels!
I’ve been growing veggies for almost 7 year now but still consider myself more of an amateur gardener (at least compared to my mother!) With that being said, I found these gloves you mentioned to be quite good for my humble plantation. Thanks for the excellent write up Naomi and stay safe!