Present for 40yr old keen Gardner?

[Citygirlrurallife]

My best friend loves her garden and has really got into it in the last few years. She turns 40 next month so trying to think up something to give her - are there any good memberships or courses or something a keen Gardner would value? It’s a big birthday so don’t want to just get her vouchers from the local garden centre….

Depending where you are a trip together to RHS Wisley would be a gift most keen gardeners would like. The RHS also have a couple of other sites that might be more local to you.

The RHS also do workshops so that might also be of interest.

What about something like this https://www.coopersofstortford.co.uk/wishing-well-planter/?SKU=H281BR&src=gbase&vsrc=igb9b2&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIoZDstP2ppgIVytDtCh2D3Qk7EAQYKCABEgLLFfDBwE

I'm not sure that would appeal to everyone

RHS membership
Gardeners World subscription
beautiful pots (my favourite one cost a lot and I have an Acer tree in it)
garden clock

@indignatio is there anything that does?

A David Austin rose

The planter is not my taste, I'm afraid.
A voucher for a garden centre/nursery? A day out or workshop sounds good.

I often give and get plants as gifts, but there is a downside in that it might be a plant that you don't really want or have space for.

Garden tools are usually recommended in seasonal gift guides, but as someone who gardens they are often a bit 'entry level'. Look for ones recommended by real gardeners, if you are thinking of doing this.

My friends mum works for Coopers of Stortford , she's always being told off for not processing things quickly enough, so if you do order the (god awful) wishing well make sure you give it plenty of time to arrive 🤣

A really good pair of secateurs that feel just right in your hand.
A good trowel with a decent strong stainless steel blade and again feels just right in your hand.
A wooden half-barrel is probably better than a wishing well one.

I'm surprised everyone hates the wishing well, I think it's cute 🤣 so if anyone wants to buy me a birthday present...

OP what about tickets to Gardners World Live?

Garden centre vouchers and some really good quality gloves and secuters

@FayCarew I do like the half barrels but thought they were a bit generic to suggest as a gift!

Speaking as a gardener there is nothing I would like more than garden vouchers, I am quite particular about what I have in my garden and would rather buy things I have been quietly lusting after….

if you have to buy her something then a really top of the range pair of secateurs are a good bet.

If you have any particularly interesting gardens near you, a one year pass to visit them.

Tickets to any of the big garden shows, if you can get to them.

Membership of the Royal Horticultural Society, or Kew Gardens, or any other gardening organisation or society.

I have an enormous garden and love it. It's my sanctuary. I go to flower shows, exhibitions, etc. The best gift you can get me is garden centre vouchers. My schedule is planned for the year so I already have tickets. Anything I use regularly I already have in a professional quality. My soil is acidic on heavy clay so unless you know that when buying some plants/flowers are doomed. With a voucher I can buy something that will always be associated with you. I usually buy trees with those I receive.

What about tickets to the Chelsea Flower show ? Depending where you live obviously.

This! Well, the vouchers bit.

The secateurs thing -they're so personal. Lots of people rave about Felcos but I'm not that fussed tbh, plus if you have a pair you do really need more. Hori hori knives are also always recommended by those who LOOOOVE them, but again are polarising.

But gardeners all love plants. Thinking about them, looking at them, choosing them. Vouchers (if they're accepted at a garden centre near her).

Or Sarah Raven ones if not. I would love to be able to look through a SR catalogue with intent, I usually bin it before I get tempted. I know what you mean about secateurs, but I would rather them than a wishing well!

I know it sounds daft but I would consider garden centre voucher, as buying specific gifts can be tricky, even if you know the person well imo.

Definitely garden vouchers.
Although, depending on location and personality of the birthday girl, a masterclass can be a good gift. I was gifted a David Austin pruning class a few years ago, and while I was considerably the youngest there - and with by far the smallest garden after listening to a couple of them talking about their rose walks etc. - I did find it useful. I’m quite shy though so I did find it hard going by myself.

Sarah Raven does day courses that would make a lovely gift .

you are a lovely thoughtful friend to have!
there is a local garden centre to us that sells unusual planters and we also like an antiques shop that sells outdoor wares - I would absolutely get a voucher but maybe one shrub with a bit of meaning

I would possibly add some interesting/ an usual gardening book as well, depending on the interest of your friend.

My favourite garden presents have been vouchers! David Austin ones and Beth Chatto ones.

Alternately if your budget really stretches a beautiful japanese maple in a pot.

You are very thoughtful but I would rather have vouchers.