With the festive season fast approaching, inspired by Grow, the lifestyle show for gardeners, Manoj Malde of Couture Gardens has put together this Christmas wish list.
Every year this show takes place in the trendy area of Hampstead. Since the show started it has become more popular, attracting some excellent companies and even more hip young things who have a passion for the outdoor lifestyle. The show is particularly strong on equipment and accessories.
A good gardener never skimps on tools. Sneeboer tools are produced by master craftsmen using traditional forging techniques. They have also recently teamed up with Great Dixter that is now under the stewardship of Fergus Garrett. Together they have created a range of eight gardening tools through the experience of Fergus Garrett. My favourite tool is the Great Dixter Planting Spade (1). This tool is with me on every planting job that I do. It is a must have for every serious gardener. Other favourites of ours are the Transplanting Trowel and the Hand Rake which is just the tool you need to get all the autumn leaves out from in between your ornamental grasses and shrubs.
For secateurs and sheers I always use Niwaki. You cannot beat Japanese blades. I have a pair of Okatsune Pro Snips (2) which I always have with me when working in a garden. They are great for detailed work. When working on topiary I use the Tobisho Topiary Clippers (3). The blades are made from carbon steel. And my Okatsune shears produce a very seductive swishy shhnippy sound when I’m working with the (4). Not only are the Niwaki and Sneeboer range of tools great quality but they even look and feel good to handle.
If like me you love having super sexy looking containers in your garden, you will love the range of pots from Indigenus Planters. I fell in love with the Soma range the minute I saw them. The Soma planters come with a stylish cork or iroko wood finish (main picture) and I also loved the organic shape of the Tuber planters also in iroko wood (5).
Do you love wildlife in your garden? How about fine dining for your winged friends with this modern bird table from Marcus Steel Designs. This particular design (6) is even suitable for a roof garden or balcony. I also really loved these small bee hives (7) from Bee Palace. The hives are for pollinating bees. Great for those interested in growing fruit and veg but they also make beautiful features in the garden.
Are you an enthusiastic gardener? Then the Gardentags app (8) is for you. It is a growing community. You can post photos, ask questions and other gardeners and gardening professionals will reply. It also gives you reminders of what you should be doing with your particular plants at certain times of the season.
The garden is now regarded as another room of the house so what better than to add a touch of class and luxury to your outdoor furniture with stylish cushions by Botanical Cushions (9). They create funky and colourful cushions from sublime photographic prints.
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