As soon as the summer sun shines and the flowers start to bloom, getting out in the garden seems all that bit more appealing. Unfortunately, the sun doesn’t seem to want to coordinate with my gardening efforts at the moment. I’ve spent another weekend getting wet and muddy, planting and sewing in the gloom, wondering whether my garden will actually become a marsh if it keeps raining.
The weather may be grey, but that doesn’t mean your garden has to be dreary, too. It’s easy to find attractive pots for your plants – pretty much anything will look good with a few choice blooms bursting over its edges, be it a terracotta pot, a wooden crate, a galvanised steel planter or even colanders and wellies.
The flowers won’t last all year, but there’s gardening equipment you’ll leave outside all year round, and basic essentials you’ll be using out there for weeding or seeding in all seasons. Add a splash of cheerful colour, some pretty florals or classic vintage style to your outlook, and gardening suddenly looks a bit brighter.
1. The watering can
Left: Haws Heritage watering can, available in cream, red and green, £50 Wigglywigglers.co.uk
Right: Kozial Camilla watering can, available in several colours, £13.75 – £18.50, Kozial-shop.co.uk
2. The composter
Beehive composter, £79 (natural) or £99 (painted), grow4it.co.uk
3. The water butt
Pure Raindrop water butt and watering can, £58.99 (mini, as shown on the right) or £199.99, crocus.co.uk
Left: Oak whiskey barrel water butt, £119.99
Right: Cascata terracotta water butt, £189.99, both crocus.co.uk
4. The gloves
Bradleys English linen and leather gloves, £27, gardendivas.co.uk
5. The tools
Left: V&A hand trowel by Wild and Wolf, £9.95, gardendivas.co.uk
Right: Orla Kiely garden fork by Wild and Wolf, £19.95, Bloomsbury and Co
