Present for a new gardener?

[MakesCakesWhenStressed]

My DH and I have finally bought our own house and he's getting really into the gardening. We have a decent set of tools and some gloves and a shed, but otherwise not much in the way of equipment. It's his birthday soon and I'd like to get him something useful for a new enthusiastic gardener. One thing I was considering was a gardener's tool belt, but wondered if it was one of those things sold to clueless amateurs.

Any ideas?
TIA

[purplewithred]

ooh forgot get him something from here copper tools Vega hand fork is a really good starter tool. I now have the hand fork, big and small trowels and border spade and fork and LURVE them all.

[purplewithred]

There are loads of associated gardens you can get into with rhs membership, not just the rhs ones.

I always like vouchers, to be spent on a singe extravagant plant.

[MusicalEndorphins]

Garden Gnomes.

[MusicalEndorphins]

I like gardening books, maybe one that lists the plants by being annual or perennials, and tells if they need sun or shade, soil type, if a plant is fragrant or not, blooming seasons for flowers and so on.
Books to choose from

[djelibeybi]

I it was me, I'd rather have a cold frame than belts, books or memberships. I have filled two large ones and am just building a third one out of old double glazing.

[Rhubarbgarden]

RHS Encyclopedia of Gardening is great.

[cantspel]

You dont need books if you have the internet. Just google any thing you need to know.
If you want books just to add to the general gardening clutter have a look in your local charity shop as they usually have plenty.

[MakesCakesWhenStressed]

Freecycle has provided us with a table and 6 chairs

I just realised we have no gardening books! We love books. What would be a good book for a new gardener with a new, rather small, garden?

Btw, lived the rhs idea, but no garden nearby. Might get that for my mum though, she's near Wisley so it'd be great for her

[funnyperson]

One of those seats for two with a table in between for you both to sit in the garden and enjoy it

[Rhubarbgarden]

Tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show

[MrsHiddleston]

Membership of the rhs is actually quite cheap at the moment. His single membership gets in a guest every time and you get a garden magazine every month sent in the post. But if you don't live near any gardens it's not a good idea.

[Rhubarbgarden]

Membership of the RHS

[cantspel]

a water butt and stand
a composter
lawn edger
loppers
patio planters, pots or tubs
some decent plant food ie miracle grow or flower power
a cold frame (lidl had them for £29.99 the other week)
some plants
a poly tunnel

[Suttonmum1]

Wheelbarrow (a builders one from DIY is best value) useful for garden DIY too. Greenhouse with plastic cover. Tubtrug style bucket, flexible with handles. Seed trays & seeds.

[MrsHiddleston]

I wouldn't bother with a tool belt to be honest. Why about a subscription to a gardening magazine? Or a water butt? Or a small greenhouse? Or a composter?