London has already been blessed with sunshine this weekend and with even warmer temperatures predicted for the upcoming week, many of us will be rushing to give our gardens a makeover for the summer.
But for those who haven’t tended to their lawns in a while and are running low on supplies, now is the time to stock up on some brand-new garden tools and accessories, to help you transform an overgrown plot into a serene spot to relax in the sun. Here’s a list of all the best gardening essentials to look out for this summer.
READ MORE: The gardening mistake that people make while watering plants during a heatwave
Thorn-proof gloves
Thick, thorn-proof gloves are ideal for protecting yourself against stubborn plants with thorns and splinters. At B&M, you can pick up a 3 pack of Rolson Gardening Gloves for just £3.50. But if you’re after an extra thick pair, you’ll find the Verve Cotton Green & white Gardening gloves at B&Q for £7. According to B&Q, these gloves offer protection against thorns and roses, as well as brambles.
Kneeling bench
Sometimes you may find yourself in quite an uncomfortable position while tending to your garden. Perhaps you need to kneel down on a rocky surface or want to protect your clothes from being covered in mud. The solution to this is a kneeling bench. At Amazon, you can get a foldable Garden Kneeling Stool, which also doubles up as a seat, for £6.07. For a low-budget alternative, you can opt for a kneeler pad, being sold for just £2 at Wilko.
Some garden spades are more affordable than others
Spade
Spades are great for digging holes for plants, edging, lifting sod, and moving small mounds of dirt. Because it’s a typically larger piece of garden equipment, it can sometimes be a little pricey. But at The Range, you can get a Digging Spade With a Double Molding Handle for a reasonable £7.99.
If you want one that’s more long-lasting and heavy-duty, B&Q’s Magnusson Pointed Digging Spade costs £29 and boasts an ergonomically designed, lightweight and pointed shovel that is ideal for ‘even the most heavy-duty tasks’, according to the description. If you need to only dig up a small patch in your garden, you may want to consider a hand trowel, which is like a mini spade. At The Range, a regular Garden Hand Trowel costs £2.99
Pruning secateurs
You can think of pruning secateurs as scissors that are strong enough to prune hard branches of trees and shrubs. They also help rein in plants that are getting out of control and taking over. At B&M, you can pick up Rolson Pruning Secateurs with a rubberised grip for extra comfort and control for just £3.50. According to the retailer, these ones are ‘perfect for pruning areas such as rose bushes.’
If you’re after something a little stronger, At B&Q, you can get some Heavy Duty Bypass Secateurs for £5.95, which are great for cutting branches and stems up to 20mm.
There are several tools designed to make gardening much easier
Garden hose
A garden hose is a must-have for summer, as you’ll need to make sure your plants are well-hydrated as your garden begins to heat up. Amazon sells a range of garden hoses with prices as low as £19.99, but for a more durable fabric there’s an NGreen Expandable and Flexible Garden Hose for £27.99 that is said to be tangle free, long-lasting and leakproof with a multiple-layer inner tube. If you’re on a budget and just need a reliable garden hose that’ll get the job done quickly The Range is selling their regular Garden Hose for just £9.99.
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