Please note: None of the recommendations is sponsored – I am mentioning them because I like them!
The beginning of November and the shops are full of stuff for THE day – Christmas.
So, I thought for this post I would have a look at some garden bits and pieces that would make good presents for the gardener in your life – or for you. Well, I would like them, anyway. In fact, some of the items I’m looking at I already own and am so happy with them I thought I would share them with you.
So here are a few ideas, in no particular order.
First – and this is a pretty special one – is a TRUG BASKET. But not any old trug basket. The one (or rather ones) I own come from The Truggery in Herstmonceux in Sussex - my home county, and the undisputed home of the trug - where they have been making them since 1899. Trugs were traditionally used by market gardeners and farmers for harvesting and measuring livestock feed. In fact, the largest trug in the picture is a half-bushel, equivalent to a capacity of 4 gallons, which would have been used to measure out grain. Nowadays you will see smaller ones being used in a garden rather than in a commercial setting. If you really don’t know what to get your gardening loved-one for Christmas, I can almost guarantee that a Sussex trug will be the perfect gift. Click here to go The Truggery’s website.
If you’re looking for a stocking-filler for a gardening fanatic, how about - don’t laugh - a ball or two of good old-fashioned STRING? I used to own a modest plant nursery with a shop selling various items of garden paraphernalia and in the run-up to Christmas one of my best-sellers was string. I kid you not. If you do buy some, why not be adventurous and go for something other than natural or green – how about purple or orange? Click here to go to Nutscene’s website – they have an extensive range.
Another gift in the stocking-filler range is this lovely SNIP & HERB STRIPPER Set. The snip has razor-sharp blades perfect for precision work like deadheading, harvesting herbs and pinching out annuals. The handy herb stripper makes it simple to harvest lots of fresh, fragrant herb leaves. Just cut a stem from the herb plant and pop the end of the stem through the appropriately sized hole. Pull the stem through to easily remove the leaves, and hey presto, the leaves are ready for use. They are available from my online Shop – click here for more info.
Also, just about in the stocking-filler price bracket is this lovely CALENDAR from Emma Bridgewater. With gardening illustrations and enough space to write things, this would make a timely gift for you or the gardener in your life: I have to admit, I’ve already bought myself one. Click here to go to Emma Bridgewater’s website to view the complete range.
I know CANDLES can be much of a muchness, but I do like these from St Eval. They have a lovely garden-y range called Victorian Herb with delightful combinations of fragrances such as bergamot and nettle, thyme and mint and, my favourite, bay and rosemary. They come in ‘flowerpot’ containers, as well as tins and tealights. Click here to go to St. Eval’s website to view the complete range.
As a gardener, you can never have too many pairs of GLOVES. At the last count I had four pairs for various jobs in the garden ranging from really tough ones for when I’m pruning the roses to lightweight ones for potting on. I particularly like those by Burgon and Ball (pictured). They are available from my online Shop – click here to have a look.
Whilst we’re talking about clothing, or rather accessories, a good HAT will never go amiss. I have had a Tilley Hat for more years than I care to remember and it’s still going strong. It has served me well as both a sun and a rain hat. When I bought mine there were very few models to choose from, but now the range has expanded enormously – add to that the fact that there is a lifetime guarantee and what’s not to like? Click here to see the full range.
All gardeners deserve to put their feet up once in a while, especially with brew! So why not treat yourself, or your gardening loved-one or friend, to a beautiful china MUG to make it just a bit special. I love this one, designed by Emma Sutton at Mosney Mill. It features bees – what else! Again, it, along with other items by Emma, is available from my online Shop – click here to have a look.
And while you’re having your brew, how about a book to browse? Here comes an unashamed plug for my own BOOK The Little Book of Plants for Pollinators: A Gardener’s Guide. It’s packed full of information about pollinators and what plants will help them thrive. For a full description click here.
Finally, here is something you can make to give as a present: a RECIPE using a vegetable from your own garden or allotment – or failing that, they are readily available at any supermarket. Onion ‘marmalade’! Onions are a ubiquitous but underrated vegetable, so here the spotlight is entirely on them.
This preserve is delicious with cold meats and cheese – ideal for a Boxing Day buffet.
Males 5 x 225g jars
Ingredients:
100ml olive oil
2kg onions (whatever you have to hand, white, red, shallots …) peeled and finely sliced
200g demerara sugar
150g redcurrant jelly
300ml cider vinegar
50ml balsamic vinegar
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp fresh or dried thyme
Method
Heat the oil in a large pan and add the onions. Reduce the heat and simmer over a low heat for about 30 minutes until the onions have softened and are beginning to colour. Stir occasionally to stop them burning.
Add the sugar and redcurrant jelly. Increase the heat and continue to cook for another 30mins or so, stirring frequently, until all the moisture has evaporated.
Take off the heat and allow to cool for a couple of minutes, and then add the vinegar. Return to the heat and cook for another 10 minutes until a spoon drawn across the bottom of the ‘marmalade’ reveals the base of the pan for a few seconds.
Remove from the heat, season with the salt, pepper and thyme, and spoon into sterilised jars. Seal with vinegar-proof lids. Don’t forget to label the jar, making a note of the date you made it, too. If you want to give the ‘marmalade’ as a present, top it with a piece of fabric tied with ribbon.
You can use the ‘marmalade’ immediately, but it is best left to mature for a couple of weeks. In fact, it will keep for up to 12 months unopened.
That’s about it – I hope there may be one or two items that you fancy buying (or making), either as a present or for yourself. Or you could drop an enormous hint in the hope that someone will buy you something!
As a thank you for reading my post I am offering 10% off ALL items in my Shop, including my latest book The Little Book of Plants for Pollinators: A Gardener's Guide.
Click here to see what is available, and enter BLOG10 at the checkout - 10% discount will automatically be applied.
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