need ideas for gardners

[gigglingHyena]

In need of inspiration for the last two gifts on my list. budget £20is

1. Couple, with children recently moved and now have a decent sized garden, keen to grow their own fruit/veg.

1. MIL, loves gardening again esp veg growing. Last years book and heirloom tomato seeds went down well.

For the couple new to veg growing, a really thorough book that talks you through the basics of soil preparation, what to plant when etc. One that tells you what you should be doing each month is useful.

For MIL , certainly more unusual varieties of seeds - golden beetroot, multicoloured carrots, different types of squash. Last year I was given a pack of different edible flower seeds, which were fun (would be good for the couple too). I'd also love to be given some nice plant labels and a big ball of twine!

My mil has a little padded knee stool so she’s not on the ground while weeding, it’s really useful.
For my birthday, friends got me a super duper garden trowel and gloves. I’ve also got an encyclopedia of medicinal uses of plants and herbs which is really interesting.

For the couple:A good book to get is this: www.amazon.co.uk/New-Vegetable-Herb-Expert/dp/0903505754/ref=dp_ob_title_bk?tag=mumsnetforum-21

It is quite brilliant and goes through all the preparation of vegetable gardening, varieties, pests and diseases, the lot. Really good.

You could also get them a seed collection. Something like these: www.sarahraven.com/veg_fruit/seeds/veg_seed_collections/easy_summer_veg_collection.htm

Re MIL: I'd maybe try an edible flower seed collection. That's a bit different. I got some wooden labels one year and they were really useful. A bit leftfield but perhaps a book on potager gardening. It's basically a French way of veg gardening which involves growing flowers and veg in an aesthetically pleasing way rather than in rows. Something like this: www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Vegetable-Gardening-Joy-Larkcom/dp/184533390X/ref=pd_sim_14_4?psc=1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforum-21&refRID=31D48XA1AMPRBQQQQBNN

I personally wouldn't want anyone buying me tools or gloves but if you think she'd appreciate them then that's something to consider. I'd also consider getting her a really good gardening knife. Depends on what she already has, of course.

I do like a good book recommendation, that could work.

I think MIL probably has all the tools she could possibly need (and then some), so I'd prefer to avoid those.

Edible flower seeds sound good, being Grandma I bet the kids could make some nice personalised markers for them too. Will add a big ball of twine to whatever we get

How about a gardening journal? I'm sure I've seen one in Paperchase in previous years...

For the couple, if they are likely to be in their new house for several years, what about a fruit tree? Something on a dwarf rootstock so it won't get too big. Apple or cherry maybe?

I got my mum [[https://www.johnlewis.com/scion-spike-kneeling-mat/p2916193?sku=236356642&s_kwcid=2dx92700027730163946&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=CjwKCAiAjanRBRByEiwAKGyjZfy5hTLdYIvgNRQ4XszARrIuxVvCAhfiDNw0Evn3MDm4fMx8Lz5XxxoCo1MQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds]] as part of her Xmas present.

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how about now?

how about now?