Paper Potter – This is an ideal gift for under a tenner and it somehow manages to bridge that gap between novelty and practical gadget. Economical and eco-friendly, it enables you to make your own fully functioning, biodegradable plant pots from strips of old copies of The Irish News – not sure it would work as well with other newspapers. Perfect for sowing seeds and bringing on young plants, the Paper Potter comes attractively boxed and is available in two different sizes. They come in a variety of woods and are priced at around £9 for an oak one.
Gold Leaf Gardening Gloves – Good gloves make all the difference and as Alan Partridge would no doubt concur, it’s difficult to surpass leather for robustness and flexibility. These Gold Leaf gloves will guard against the most vicious thorns yet are fashioned from material soft enough to allow a good sense of touch. Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society and adored by serious gardeners. Available in several styles for ladies and gents (£19-£25)
Leather Garden Kneeler – If you’re wondering why any gardener would require a kneeler pad, then you’re probably the right side of 50 or have a rather dull, low-maintenance garden. Anybody who’s spent a couple of hours working their borders will appreciate what a Godsend they can be. Basic versions begin at under a tenner – you can even get a Union flag one – but if you're after something special and long-lasting opt for a hand-made luxury leather version. From £36.
Green Johanna – Finding a good compost bin is harder than you imagine. This vermin-proof, well ventilated plastic bin came out top of the heap in a recent Gardeners' World magazine trial. It has the advantage of being able to take cooked food and comes complete with a special device for turning the raw material. Around £110.
Portable radio – A present such as this is ideal for an allotment holder who doesn’t have the luxury of nipping into their own home for tea break or at lunchtime. Good company, whether digging or relieving the boredom when forced under cover by a shower, portable radios range from sophisticated DAB sets to eco-friendly wind-ups. For a wind-up set, the Roberts Wanderer R9957 scored highest in a recent Gardening Which? test and gives 25 minutes of play time for one minutes winding. From £40.
Sun Dial – Not so much a stocking filler as a ‘really big special prezzie’, sun dials have been used as gardening features since Roman times. Under the right circumstances, a sun dial is the sort of item that will fire a gardener’s imagination. It’s not the sort of thing you place beside the barbecue or stick near the bins; instead, it demands a grand setting, a garden that may take years to complete – just the challenge to inspire a gardener. I’m sure there’s a website out there that will tell you how to make one. Cost: How much are you willing to pay?
Havaiana flip-flops are apparently a ‘thing’ – though not I imagine in late November. Those who dig the Brazilian company’s footwear may be interested in their wellies – or as they like to call them as they stick a fiver to the price, 'rain boots'. They come in all sorts of firework brights or classic winter shades, ranging from black to super pink, in full length or mid-calf. Prices start at £45.
