My Dads just got an allotment, what does he need?

[MrsSawyer]

I asked him what he wanted for christmas and he said, "anything for the allotment"!

He has been waiting 14 months for this allotment and it has come with a new(ish) shed (with electricity) and hes very excited.

What will he need? Unfortunately budget is only £15-£20.

[CerealOffender]

get him vouchers for a nice local nursery

[meltedmarsbars]

Seed catalogue from wallis seeds and a trowel, fork, or spade? Or the vouchers as Cereal suggested.

Electricity on an allotment!?!?

[MrsSawyer]

Brilliant, thanks. Yes, electricty, not quite sure how thats done, but my stepmum wants a kettle and a heater, my dad wants a fridge for some beers!

[marriednotdead]

It's not an allotment, it's a bolt-hole. Are you sure he wants her there with him?

Whenever I think of allotments I remember seeing bamboo canes and string. I have no idea what either are used for...

[Poledra]

A nice <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=www.flightglobal.com/blogs/left-field/Flat_Cap_BrownHB.jpg&imgrefurl=www.flightglobal.com/blogs/left-field/2008/06/&usg=__LBi81IlD1scNxMDy6L1iu8J5Jtg=&h=544&w=920&sz=283&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=-weShI-z5b0CjM:&tbnh=109&tbnw=184&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dflat%2Bcap%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26biw%3D1406%26bih%3D417%26tbs%3Disch:10%2C141&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=304&ei=P0ziTNneA4HdcZut2PoL&oei=NkziTOP1D4TEcO6lsLMM&esq=3&page=1&ndsp=14&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:0&tx=110&ty=70&biw=1406&bih=417" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">flat cap and an old armchair.

[MrsSawyer]

Married...no he doesnt, hes thinking its somewhere to escape to - she has other plans! :)

Poledra, my dad has one already, really.

[doozle]

I agree, vouchers are good. You just never know what he'll find down there for free so he can just add to what he needs with vouchers.

Good tools are a must - fork, hoe, rake, trowel.

I've also found weed suppressing membrane the most useful thing on my allotment but must admit not v exciting for an xmas prezzie!

[MrsSawyer]

Great, we've a dobbies garden centre nearby, i'll nip there and have a look and see about vouchers too - thank you.

[compfan]

Another idea is a book about allotments, just type into amazon, some great books on the subject ideal for the new allotment holder. More interesting than vouchers and he'll get loads of advice from it.

[allstarsprincess]

The tools I use most at the allotment are: a hoe and a fold up chair!

[scurryfunge]

this looks like good value

[Earthymama]

The Book idea is great, I can recommend these. Organic

Practical

Vouchers are good, your local council probaly offers compostors at a discount; you ring up and they send you a voucher you can use at a local nursery.

He'll need a good spade and fork but probably best if he picks them out himself.

Wish him good luck, it's life changing, I do hope you and your family get involved, my grandchildren love coming to the allotment.

[culinaryqueen]

If I'm not too late, there are some lovely gardeners gifts available from good garden centres and specialist 'grow your own' retailers.

As a gardener and a cook, practical presents are cool. As suggested, hand tools or mid-handled tools are great and will stand the test of time. (Mid-handled are good for working at arms length or in raised beds if he plans to introduce these).

Or how about something different like a vegetable harvesting knife or berry picker?

There are also some funky, retro seed tin organisers available from Burgon & Ball - ideal for the allotment holder. Allows gardeners to keep all their favourite and surplus seeds, dry (and in order), till next season. Saves using a shoe box to store the seeds and look's great too.

This is totally my area of interest, so let me know if you need any more ideas :)