It was over a glass of wine, on a scorching day at Helmingham Hall, that I realised I’d been caught out. “You wear Crocs, don’t you?” asked Carly Eck, the effortlessly chic fashion historian who was doing a talk the next day, as part of the Garden Museum Literary Festival. She’d been researching gardening clothes. Seemingly, my too-big, grey plastic shoes had crept into my Instagram stories more often than I’d realised.

At first, I didn’t want to let the Crocs in the house, knowing they were a slippery slope towards a sartorial nadir. A hand-me-down from my brother-in-law, they sat by the back door as I stubbornly put on ankle-length Hunters to go out in the garden. One fateful day I realised it was just easier to slip them on, and now the neighbours are treated to the sight of me in a variety of dressing gowns (a flamboyant Desmond & Dempsey number when it’s warm; towelling when it’s not) and Crocs doing my morning flowerbed rounds.

I’m not alone – in the nightwear, at least. As garden historian Advolly Richmond has pointed out in the Garden Museum’s online series on gardening clothes, avid gardeners are guilty of not bothering with getting properly dressed when there are seedlings to be inspected, or pots to water.

I’ve always loved learning what gardeners wear. To garden is to straddle creativity and labour; to do delicate, thoughtful work while wrestling with the elements or wading through anaerobic compost. It’s as much a physical act as it is an artistic one. Clothes must be practical, ideally so they don’t distract from the task in hand. But gardeners are often aesthetes, and often frugal. It’s interesting to see what happens when these things intersect.

Read our piece on what women have worn in the garden over the years

Monty Don famously despises jeans (‘they are absurd items of clothing,’ he wrote in 2005), but Derek Jarman ‘loved’ working in them, and other vintage workwear – we have hung a photograph of his overalls hanging on the line and blown out by the Dungeness wind, in the hallway. Vita Sackville-West married in gold silk brocade but you’re more likely to see photographs of her in a pleasingly androgynous combination of blazer, button-down, plus fours and knee-high boots. Katharine S White, who reviewed seed catalogues for The New Yorker in the 1960s and 70s, wore Ferragamos and tweed suits. In her book Unearthed, grower Claire Ratinon explains that it was her partner who introduced her to Flexothane dairy-farmer trousers, now an outdoor-wear staple. Ask most gardeners and layers, pockets and patched-up cashmere are likely to come up.

Traditionally, women have been worse off in the garden; having to keep up appearances for decades after gardening was finally considered an acceptable thing to do in the 19th century. In The Gentlewoman’s Book of Gardening, published in 1892, Edith L Chamberlain urged her readers to go for skirts that were not ‘skimpy’, to better enable stooping, as well as a boneless bodice and tight sleeves. Things are considerably better 230 years on, but it’s still far more difficult than it should be to find sensibly priced workwear for women.

When I gardened on a balcony I mostly limited my wardrobe to a puffa jacket and wore pyjamas more often than I care to admit. Graduating to a garden has required more substantial attire. I’m in Monty’s anti-denim camp – they get filthy too easily and take too long to dry – and have flirted with some Carrier Company cotton drill trousers, which look chic. The fact I’m always finding bits of twine in my pockets suggests I garden in other clothes besides. The epiphany, though, came a couple of summers ago when I had my grandfather’s overalls tailored to fit me with pockets in all the right places. Navy and well-worn in, they go over leggings, thermals and puffa jackets effortlessly, and lend just the right sense of occasion to proceedings. I am yet to find a replacement for the Crocs.

Read Alice’s column each month in Gardens Illustrated magazine. Subscribe here. 

Finding that perfect gift for the gardener in your life can be hard work. Unless they’re a complete gardening novice, your gardening friend or loved one probably has quite a lot of the tools, clothes and seeds that they need. But shopping doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, when it comes to finding the perfect gardening gifts we’ve done a significant amount of the work for you.

We’ve put together the below list of unusual, innovative, unique gifts for gardeners who have everything. But there should be gardening gift ideas to suit every level of garden knowledge, from people who you want to encourage into gardening, to those who are starting their journey, to those who are experts.

Behind the scenes at our gardening gift guide shoot

Our list is also a round up of gifts for garden lovers – they don’t have to be into digging and mulching, they can just love the outdoors, appreciate an excellent planting plan and be enthused by the wonders of botany.

These gardening gifts are a real mixture of things we’ve spotted from our favourite brands, but also gifts that surprised us and charmed us too. Some are for entertaining in the garden, some are for the nitty gritty garden tasks, some just have a gardening theme. We’re certain you’ll find the gifts you’re looking for.

If you’re looking for garden furniture, we’ve rounded up the best.

Jump to:

• Best gardening gifts for flower lovers
• Gardening gifts for indoor gardeners
• Best gardening gifts for young gardeners and families
• Gardening gifts for fruit and vegetable gardeners
• Best garden clothing gifts
• Gardening tool gifts
• Gardening days out and subscription gifts
• Unusual gardening gifts
• Botanical gardening gifts
• Garden lifestyle gifts
• Picnic, garden party and decorating gifts

You may also like

• Garden gifts for kids: Christmas presents
• Last minute Christmas gifts: gardening memberships and subscriptions
• Best flower subscription services
• Best hand cream for gardeners

Gardening gift ideas

Best gardening gifts for flower lovers

Fresh flower subscription

• Buy now from Bloom & Wild (from £19.58)

A flower subscription makes a wonderful gift and the regular deliveries bring joy again and again as the months go on. So, it’s a great choice if you know someone who loves to have a steady supply of fresh blooms in their home.

Bloom & Wild is one of the UK’s most popular flower subscription providers, delivering fresh bouquets in fully recyclable, letterbox-friendly packaging. Delivery prices vary between £19.58 and £26.66 per month, and you can choose a three-, six- or 12-month subscription, or an ongoing monthly order.

To browse alternative packages, check out our list of the UK’s top flower subscription services. Or, if your intended recipient is more of a plant-lover, why not take a look at our favourite plant delivery boxes?

• Buy now from Bloom & Wild (from £19.58)

Seed Tin

This seed tin is sure to help out a messy gardener who is in need of some organisation. 

The team here at Gardens Illustrated love the simple yet fun design of this seed tin from Suttons. There are internal compartments to help create a neat system so seeds are easy to find. It is made with powder-coated steel and we think it would look super perched on any window sill or greenhouse ledge. The handles also make it easy to carry when on the move. 

It is also available in dark grey and cream if you fancy selecting a different colour. 

Don’t miss our list of favourite seed boxes to buy. 

Gardening gifts for indoor gardeners

Plantsmith Houseplant gift set

• Buy now from Waitrose (£29.99)

Most of us have built up a healthy house plant obsession in recent years, and succulents, which were absolutely in vogue before 2020 hit, are still high on the houseplant list for many people. Even if your loved one is a seasoned gardener, we’d wager they probably don’t have something as stylish as this  house plant care set, which will help keep your plants looking and feeling healthy.

The set is designed to offer everything you need to keep your house plants alive, with all the essential nutrients they might need.  It’s a lovely and thoughtful gift from for the gardener who has everything.

• Buy now from Waitrose (£29.99)

Jute Rope Flowerpot

The perfect way to add a touch of style to large house plants in plastic pots, this jute pot is both flexible and sturdy. 

We love the rustic appearance of this handmade item and feel it would look gorgeous in a bright, sunny porch or even a corridor to help create a relaxing feel to the space. 

When it’s not filled with beautiful plants, it can be used as a storage basket – perhaps for vegetables or plant ties, twine and your bits and pieces –  so this is a handy gift any gardener could make use of. The handles mean it can be easily carried and moved from room to room. 

It is 28cm in width and height and best fits a 25cm flower pot. 

If you want a good list of eco plant pots, don’t miss our round up. 

Take a look at more great pot cover ideas here.

Indoor Herb Growing Kit

One of the best gifts for gardeners, especially those who don’t actually have much space outside. This zesty herb kit from Plant Theory comes with everything you need in order to grow your own herbs. The seeds and compost are organic and vegan and the kit is 100 per cent plastic free.

There are five classic cooking herbs in the kit, basil, chives, oregano, parsley and thyme, alongside biodegradable bamboo pots, wooden plant labels, vegan, peat free compost, a pencil, tweezer, jute bag and instructions. A whole series of gardening gifts in one, and even those gardeners who have everything will likely put these to good use.

Haws Copper Indoor and Seedling Watering Can

• Buy now from Harrod Horticultural (£55)

As attractive as it is useful, the Haws copper watering can would make a great gift for those who take great pride in caring for their beloved indoor plants. 

It is particularly suited for greenhouse use too, so it is a solid option for a friend who has lots of greenhouse seedlings to look after. The watering can can be polished to retain the sleek finish or if left alone, it will eventually turn green, giving it a more rustic look.  

It is 16cm in height and 36cm in length and can hold 1 litre of water.  

Check out our selection of the best watering cans for gardeners.

Terrarium Bottle and Extending Tool Set

Terrariums may be all the rage, but there’s a reason for that: they’re beautiful and easy to maintain too. If you know someone who’d be great at experimenting with growing their own this 5 litre glass bottle terrarium is an excellent place to start.

There’s a telescopic shovel and rake for you to help adjust your curated ecosystem, but note: this gardening gift doesn’t come with the soil, pebbles or plants themselves. Those will need to be sourced separately. For tips on how to plant a terrarium, head to our guide.

Gold mister plant set

• Buy now from John Lewis (£37)

A stylish and functional mister made from stainless steel and complete with an ergonomic handle that makes it easy to look after your plants. The mister holds 300 ml of water and is 15 cm high. This bundle comes with a nifty plant and pot that will make the entire set look very fetching on your windowsill.

Find more cleverly designed gear in our guide to the best ergonomic garden tools you can buy online.

• Buy now from John Lewis (£37)

Best gardening gifts for young gardeners and families

Bee Brick

If you’re stumped for gardening gift ideas, this Bee Brick would make a fail-safe choice. Designed by Green and Blue in Cornwall, the Bee Brick is an innovative concrete block, created to support the declining bee population. The concrete brick can be left as a freestanding bee home in the garden or it can be built into a wall for an integrated look.

The bee bricks contain cavities for solitary bees to lay their eggs in safety; their offspring emerge the following spring and the cycle begins again. It’s an eco-friendly gift that would be perfect for a sustainable gardener or a bee-lover.

The bee brick comes with high praise too; it won the Soil Association’s 2014 Innovation Award, sponsored by the Duchy Future Farming Programme.

Looking for bee hives? We’d recommend these.

Tree Vision: Know Your Trees in 30 Cards by Tony Kirkham and Holly Exley

If you’re looking for gifts for young gardeners or just gardeners wanting to know more about trees, look no further. Both a gardening gift and an educational gift, the card game format will help players learn about a tree’s leaves, seeds, flowers and more in an accessible and fun way. Ash, beech, birch, cedar, hornbeam, juniper, lime, maple, oak, pine, spruce, sycamore, yew are just a few examples of trees that players will soon be able to recognise in a flash!

Each card is beautifully illustrated by Holly Exley and the text is written by Tony Kirkham, former Head of Arboretum, Gardens and Horticulture Services at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, so you can rest assured that you’ll be learning from an expert.

Here’s our guide on how to identify oaks.

The Botanist’s Sticker Anthology

Gardening is one of the most mindful activities you can do, but over the winter we have to find other activities to keep us busy. If you’re looking for a gift for a busy gardener, a young gardener, or just an arty, nature lover, this sticker anthology should tick your box. Mindful and pleasing on the eye, this sticker anthology is packed full of vintage, intricate botanical drawings; including flowers, ferns, exotic plants and fungi.

Perfect for scrapbook lovers, or gardeners in need of some plant escapism during the colder months, this is a gardening gift that brings nearly as much joy and mindfulness from the act of gardening itself.

Find more outdoor-inspired presents in our edit of the best gardening gifts for kids.

Beeswax Wrap DIY Kits

These DIY Beeswax wraps are a great, eco-friendly alternative to plastic wraps for food that will keep your produce fresh in a natural way.

A great feature of these wraps is that they are reusable. This would make a fantastic gift for an eco-conscious friend who is actively trying to reduce their plastic consumption.

The kit contains a set of detailed instructions, three organic cotton fabric squares, two pieces of baking paper, three beeswax blend bars – made with pine resin and organic jojoba oil – and a fairtrade canvas tea towel. To make the wraps, you’ll need an iron.

Looking to make them literally from scratch? Here’s our guide on how to make beeswax wraps. 

A Bee Grow Bar

• Buy now from Waterstones (£12.99)

No, this isn’t something to help your grow bees, instead it’s the gardening gift for people who care about wildlife but aren’t expert gardeners. Grow Bars makes planting extra easy and curates a series of seeds around themes. This one is catered for making bees happy – and who doesn’t like doing that?

All you do is put the bar in a container, keep it watered and place in a sunny position and eventually the seeds should start to germinate. Once they’ve grown up a bit, you can plant them around the garden. Easy.

The seeds include hyssop, verbena and lavender. A perfect gift for garden lovers and an unusual gardening gift too.

We also love these seed bombs. 

Gardening gifts for fruit and vegetable gardeners

Garden Bag

• Buy now from Garden Trading (£15)

For those who prefer not to use a traditional garden trug to carry their garden goods, this altogether more rugged canvas bag is a perfect alternative. 

Whatever needs to be carried from the garden into the house – vegetables, fruit, bulbs or even a leftover coffee cup –  this handy khaki bag is sure to help. It would also make a nifty storage bag that could live in a shed or a greenhouse. 

The khaki bag is made with waterproof canvas and has a capacity of 15 litres. 

• Buy now from Garden Trading (£15)

You can help your loved ones have a more comfortable time in the garden with this delightful kneeler from Burgon and Ball’s RHS Flora & Fauna collection.  

Spending hours at a time weeding and planting can be tough on knees, so this kneeling pad – which is made with memory foam technology – would be a perfect gift for those looking for a bit of extra support. 

It also prevents gardeners from ruining their favourite jeans so it’s a pretty useful item to have.  

Thanks to the cut-out handle, the pad is easy to carry and after a long day’s work, it can hang up in the shed for easy storage.  

You’ll find more garden kneeler recommendations in our list of the best garden kneelers.

Rob Smith Heritage Veg Selection

Begone plastic novelty gifts, here’s a gardening gift that connects your loved one directly with the earth. The perfect gardening gift for either a person new to gardening or a pro, this veg collection offers a host of seeds for planting in the coming year, something lovely and very, very tasty, to look forward to.

This gardening gift includes bean seeds, cucumber seeds, pea seeds and squash seeds, the heritage veg harks back to more traditional garden growing times: don’t expect any of these newfangled cucamelons. As such, the selection is bound to excite the gardener or garden lover in your life and what’s more, they aren’t difficult to grow either.

Here’s more on where to buy seeds online.

Apple Tree

Give the gardening gift of a lifetime this season, with this apple bramleys seedling – the ultimate English cooking apple. This particular version Is on dwarf rootstock, which means it’s the perfect gardening gift for smaller gardens.

Autumn and winter are the perfect seasons to plant a tree, something that we should all be doing much, much more of in order to support the wildlife and local eco system. These apples can be harvested from October, and ideally you’d grow this tree near another apple tree, as it isn’t a self pollinator.

We’d class this as one of the of garden gifts which is good for the gardener in your life, but also nature, birds and bees too. Plus you could also be on the receiving end of some very tasty apple pie. This apple tree needs to be planted in a sunny border in well drained soil. For more on how to plant a tree, head to our guide.

Sussex Garden Trug

This handcrafted trug is perfect for those of your gardening friends who enjoy spending an afternoon picking delicious fruit and vegetables. 

It is made with naturally rot-resistant birch aircraft ply wood in a gorgeous colour and is durable enough to guarantee long lifespan and years of good looks. 

It measures 53cm long, by 28cm wide so it’s ideal for longer produce such as leeks and asparagus… Or anything that want to look great in your new garden trug.

Ceramic Plant Labels Set of five

For gardeners who are well into their herb growing, these little labels are a thoughtful and handy present. 

These ceramic plant labels allow herb growers to organise their produce so they know exactly what they have planted and where. 

There are five sticks in the pack and you can either get them pre marked or ask for your own. 

Looking for more plant labels? We love these. 

And take a look at our favourite seed suppliers.

Gardening days out and subscription gifts

Gardens Illustrated Magazine Subscription

• Buy now from Gardens Illustrated and Save 50% on a subscription

An absolutely necessary gift for the intrepid gardener, a year’s subscription to Gardens Illustrated will be absolutely worth you while. Yes, we’re biased, but we are confident that gardener in your life will love the mixture of beautiful photography, inspiring gardens, practical advice and plant expertise. Make sure they never miss a copy by getting it delivered direct to their door each month.

What’s more there’s always a fabulous offer or two available and you can save up to 50% on a subscription in our Christmas offer.

National Trust Membership

• Buy now from National Trust (adult membership £76.80)

2020 was, to put it mildly, a tumultuous year. But one of the key things many people took away from the last few month was a greater appreciation of nature, open spaces, trees and greenery. What better way to continue the connection than by investing in a membership for the National Trust, which does vital nature management work up and down the country and conserves historic, fascinating buildings and gardens for the country.

The charity, as with many charities, suffered during lockdown, having to content with decreased visitor numbers, so supporting the organisation goes some way to helping with that.

Become an RHS Member

• Buy now from RHS (from £71)

The vital work the Royal Horticultural Society does throughout the UK is a huge part of the country’s world-beating reputation in horticulture and gardens. There are four RHS gardens, soon to be a fifth, alongside 218 RHS partner gardens, all of which have something unique and exciting to offer.As the world continues to change and understanding about nature, wildlife, the earth and growing becomes vital to all of us, the RHS stands as a place for experimentation, research and education.

If you buy a gift membership before the 24th December, you will receive a £15 voucher to spend at RHS Garden Centres.

Looking for more garden subscriptions? 

Best garden clothing gifts

 

Canvas Garden Apron, Khaki

• Buy now from Garden Trading (£28)

 

 

If your friend spends most of their time in the garden, often with damp soil on their jeans and hand wipe marks on their top, this khaki canvas apron from Garden Trading is the perfect gift for them.

Designed to ensure that their clothes will stay clean underneath, ready for a full day of gardening, the apron is a practical piece of kit. The waist strap is long enough to tie at the front of the apron for an even better and closer fit. In addition to this, there is a handy front pocket for keeping gardening tools close to hand. 

Our list of the best garden aprons will also provide you with more potential options.

• Buy now from Garden Trading (£28)

Birkenstock Schuhe Super-Birki Clog

Available in a range of colours and sizes, the versatile Super-Birki can be worn by anyone and everyone. Made from dirt-resistant polyurethane, with a fabric footbed lining and non-slip sole, these are both practical and durable. The super-resilient shoe can actually be washed at up to 60C.

Plus, the removable, cork-latex footbed can be removed and popped in the washing machine. A practical addition to keep by your door or in your allotment or greenhouse for sliding on and off.

Take a look at the best boot scrapers for clean hallways and wellies!

For more garden footwear recommendations see our list of the best gardening shoes.

Evercreatures Raspnavy Tall Wellies

A top pair of wellies are an essential piece of garden gear. 

The unembellished yet attractive design makes these boots from Evercreatures easy to wear with a range of different items, whether it’s a mucky pair of overalls or a nice pair of jeans. As well as running along the bottom of the boot, the red raspberry stripe can be found at the back too. 

For a very reasonable price, these reliable wellington boots are a practical gift that your outdoor loving friend is likely to make great use of. 

Here’s our list of the best wellies to buy.

Burgon & Ball Tweed Gardening Gloves, Medium Grey

Great for protecting every gardener’s most valuable tools, these stylish gloves will not only keep busy hands safe when working in the garden but also warm during the colder months. The gloves have an adjustable strap allowing for maximum comfort and are recommended for people with medium-sized hands. The strap itself is a rip-tape fastener so the wearer will be able to tighten or loosen the gloves with ease.

They feature some padded protection with a soft felt liner in the palms and fingers which won’t stiffen when the gloves are dried. There is also a breathable mesh that will ensure that fingers are kept cool with improved mobility.

For more stylish handwear visit our list of the best gardening gloves.

Boot Socks

These stylish Merino wool boot socks from HJ Hall are the perfect gift when paired with walking boots for countryside strolls and dog walks for any nature lover.

With 135 years in the industry you know that you’re in good hands (or socks!) with HJ Hall’s products. Merino wool is known for its ability to help regulate body temperature making these fashionable socks an appealing choice that should keep your feet comfortable, warm and dry. The socks also come with a six month guarantee.

Belstaff jacket

Made for adventurers, Belstaff products are designed to stand the test of time. Although they were originally intended for use with motorsports when the brand launched in 1924, they’ve since found fans across the world. Che Guevara, Amelia Earhart and David Beckham have all owned Belstaff jackets. And Steve McQueen wore one in The Great Escape. 

The Trialmaster has been around since 1948 and is Belstaff’s ‘definitive’ jacket. With its waxed navy cotton, checked twill lining and brushed corduroy linings at the collar, cuffs and hem, it’s a smart choice. 

Don’t miss our round up of the best garden jackets for women and the best jackets for men.

Statement Donegal Jumper, oatmeal

• Buy now from John Lewis (£112)

An 100 per cent wool jacket will keep you warm when you’re working in the cold outside and make you feel 100 per cent better about yourself. This chic, traditional style jumper is like a lovely, warm cup of cocoa and you’ll love it every time you put it on. We’d recommend for days in or for working in the garden too.

• Buy now from John Lewis (£112)

Rab down jacket

Warm yet lightweight, down jackets are becoming more and more popular, and a Rab version is a great choice if you’re looking for a slightly higher-end option. Founded by climber Rab Carrington, who started out making technical sleeping bags designed to withstand the icy conditions on mountains, the brand specialises in cold-weather gear.

This lightweight Rab jacket is the one to buy for easy storage as it comes with a convenient stuff sack, which you can clip to a larger bag. It’s filled with recycled, hydrophobic down and has three pockets and a stiffened peak on the hood. 

For more great men’s gardening jackets take a look here.

Gardening tool gifts

Fallen Fruits copper plated trowel

• Buy now from Farrar and Tanner (£14)

A garden trowel that’s brilliantly stylish as well as being very high quality. This copper plated trowel includes a leather loop for storage and measurements on the blade to make sure you’re planting at the right depth. You can use it for removing weeds as well as planting and if you want, you can get it engraved with your loved one’s name to make it an extra special present.

The perfect gift for a gardener that’s also lovely to look at.

Here is our round up of the best trowels for the garden. 

Copper plated dibber

• Buy now from Farrar and Tanner (£14) or The Worm that Turned (£16.95)

A dibber is a must for any dedicated gardener. Essentially a little stick that you push into the ground to make a hole, a dibber is perfect for planting seeds, seedlings and also small bulbs. This smart, copper-plated version has a lovely look to it and a handy leather strap from which to hang it. It also goes very well with the copper plated trowel, seen above.

• Buy now from Farrar and Tanner (£14) or The Worm that Turned (£16.95)

Copper plated row marker

• Buy now from Farrar and Tannar (£16) or The Worm that Turned (£18.95)

Complete the set with this lovely copper plated row marker. If you’re planning any kind of garden, be it vegetable or flower patch, knowing you’re planting in a straight line can be very helpful. That’s where this row marker comes in. Use natural twine to mark out the space between planting on your seed beds so you’re giving your plants enough space and everything grows in the right spot.

• Buy now from Farrar and Tannar (£16) or The Worm that Turned (£18.95)

Niwaki 4′ Tripod Ladder

• Buy now from Niwaki (from £259.00),  Harrod Horticultural (£309.99)

Tripod ladders are a garden essential, allowing you to get up close and personal with your subject for pruning, sculpting, crop picking and more. The third – front – leg negates the need to prop the ladder against anything so you can place them anywhere without requiring something firm (and bruiseable) to lean against. Niwaki have been bringing their Japanese gardening know-how to bear globally since 1997 – the tripod ladder being their first product to market, so they’re truly kings in this court!

Available in nine sizes from 4 feet to 15 feet high, there’s something for every purpose, being built-to-last from tough and sturdy (yet light and portable) aluminium.

Here’s our round up of the best garden ladders.

Niwaki Tool Roll

Niwaki tools are some of the best in the business and we’d recommend this as a gardening gift for the gardener who has everything. It’s a handy tool roll, with five lined pockets for all your essential tools. Made from weatherproof canvas, you could fit anything in it from pruners to cutlery for picnics. The linings are for the sharp items, so you won’t cut through to your clothes and it wraps easily and neatly round the waist for ease of transportation. A perfect gardening gift.

Garden scissors

• Buy now from Garden Trading (£22) and Ebay (£24)

These stainless steel gardening scissors look beautiful and are perfectly sized for simple jobs. Use them to cut flowers, prune, snip off dead stalks: have them near when you’re in the garden at all times.

These snips take their inspiration from Japanese bonsai scissors, which have precise cuts. These come in stainless steel and have a polished brass finish and come in a handwoven bamboo bag. They could be the perfect quirky garden gift for your loved one.

Here are a few more ideas for great pruners. 

• Buy now from Garden Trading (£22) and Ebay (£24)

Niwaki Rattan Kiridashi Knife

• Buy now from Niwaki (£79)

This is a hand forged blue carbon steel blade, that has a handle hand wrapped in wisteria rattan. Niwaki are the best in the business when it comes to specialist garden tools, and their designs are a pleasure to use.

This is a comfortable knife, that comes complete with a leather pocket sheath. It’s the sort of knife you can use for the kitchen, garden, craft jobs and more. It is an incredibly sharp knife, but also, because of the nature of the way it is forged and the material it is made from, quite brittle. So not for use on heavy handed jobs.

Don’t miss our round up of the best pocket knives for the garden. 

Shuro brush

• Buy now from Amazon (£9.60) and and Niwaki (£9)

This small but very very fetching hand broom is a perfect addition to a carefully thought through cleaning cupboard. The brush is made from palm fibres of Trachycarpus fortunei and bound together with copper wire. It’s the perfect tool for delicate jobs such as sweeping up around a bonsai or in corners of terraces and patios.

• Buy now from Amazon (£9.60) and and Niwaki (£9)

Unusual gardening gifts

Sprout Pencils

If you’re looking for an unusual gardening gift that they won’t expect, these plantable graphite pencils from Sprout are a great gift idea.

Once the pencils are worn and too short to use, you plant them upside down in soil and wait for them to grow. The pencils can grow into luscious flowers, fragrant herbs and even fresh vegetables.

They are made from sustainable and certified wood and are 100 per cent natural and non-toxic. This packet of eight pencils features a range of seeds, with each pencil indicating what plant it will grow. A brilliant and unusual gift for the gardener who has everything.

The Urban Forager: Find and Cook Wild Food in the City by Wross Lawrence

Another cool title from Hoxton Mini Press who publish great little books packed with class and style. The Urban Forager tackles the intriguing and enlightening subject of city foraging. If you know any urban gardeners who love nothing more than a day on the veg patch, this would make the perfect garden gift for them. Writer Wross Lawrence, a professional forager, supplies 32 vegetarian recipes, all using ingredients sourced from the city streets and green spaces. Cherry blossom shortbread or nettle ravioli anyone?

With more and more people turning to vegetarian and vegan diets due to the worries surrounding climate change, this is a timely book that would interest many an eco-savvy gardener, or help to reconnect an urban dweller to nature. Don’t forget our list of the best gardening books for more great reads.

For a practical gift, take a look at the best boot scrapers.

Emma Bridgewater Ladybird Mug

If you know of someone in need of a new favourite garden mug, this cute option from Emma Bridgewater could be a winner.

 It is made from earthenware so it’s suitable for everyday use and it is also dishwasher safe. Holding half a pint, it’s a great option for when you want a big cuppa to take outside. 

The sweet and delicate ladybird paintings make this mug a top choice when having a spot of tea and cake in the sunshine. 

Looking for more mug inspiration? Don’t miss our garden cup round up. 

Great Trees of London Map by Blue Crow Media

We are slowly understanding more and more about the wonders of trees; Judi Dench’s documentary My Passion for Trees and Richard Powers’s book The Overstory are just two recent examples which have contributed to society’s rediscovered fascination for them. If you know a tree-lover, this specialist tree map would make a fab gift choice for them. It focuses on 50 trees throughout our nation’s capital, from magnificent English oaks to delicate cherry trees.

Each tree has a description from Paul Wood, the founder of the Urban Tree Festival and Tree Talk. The map is printed on recycled paper and comes with a protective band, helpful for when you are carrying it out and about.

Don’t miss our round up of the best books about gardening. 

An Opinionated Guide to London Green Spaces by Harry Ades and Marco Kesseler

Did you know that half of the area of London is made up of green spaces? With a staggering 3,000 parks, London is one of the greenest cities on the planet. In this beautifully photographed book, Harry Ades breaks down the city’s top 50 hot spots when it comes to natural, green areas. Urban parks, canals, woodlands and stately gardens are just a few examples of what London has to offer.

This aesthetically pleasing and informative book would make a fab gift for style-savvy urban gardeners or for those wanting to discover more about city gardens and beneficial public green spaces.

The Almanac: a Seasonal Guide to 2023

Now in its fifth edition Lia Leendertz’ annual Almanac is a must-have for anyone who spends their time out in the open working through the seasons.  We’d absolutely recommend Lia Leendertz’ Almanac, which compiles all sorts of interesting lore and tales of the natural world, as well as the moon’s phases, tide timetables, sun rises, seasonal recipes and gardening tips. A perfect Christmas gift for the thoughtful, discerning, smart gardener.

Behind the scenes at our gardening gift guide shoot

Kikkerland Shovel Bottle Opener

Perhaps a gift for the gardener in your life who likes to round off a hard day’s work outside with a refreshing drink. A subtly themed and beautifully designed item which could also be classed as an essential tool.

With a copper plated finish, this is 17.4 cm in length and is part of John Lewis’ smart copper’ series. A great novelty gift for a gardener.

Gardener’s leather journal

This beautiful brown leather covered journal is the perfect garden journal for the gardener in your life. Protected from the weather and muddy feet and paws by its lovely brown cover, inside are 60 pages of plain white craft paper that can be used as you might wish. Sketches? Weather recording? Planting plans? This journal offers everything you might need from a garden journal.

It’s the perfect garden gift for those sorts of gardeners who like to think and plan and will be a cherished item for years to come. Who doesn’t enjoy looking back over their journals at what they had been up to in the past?

There is chestnut and walnut browns available in the series, plus there’s a journal size which is w15cm x h19cm and a sketchbook size, which is w19.5cm x h23cm.

Want more garden journals? Here is our list. 

Botanical gardening gifts

Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin

We tasted this gin as part of our quest to discover the best gin with botanicals (the results of which you can see here). It’s called Monkey 47 because there are a whopping 47 botanicals listed, including lingonberries, locally sourced near the distillery in the Black Forest.

It has a gorgeous nose and a bottle that we love – think apothecary aesthetic and there’s a great story behind the company, which was originally started by British RAF officer Montgomery Collins who was posted to Germany after the second world war and stayed for good.

Seedlip Drinks

Seedlip has been busy in the garden developing a new range of non-alcoholic spirits inspired by botanicals. The spirit garden option is infused with the taste of hand picked peas and homegrown hay and will likely transport you to the countryside at first sip. Other flavours include citrus grove, spice and the drinks are sugar and sweeteners free, calorie free, without allergens, artificial colours or flavours.

These could be a tasty, refreshing gift for a thirsty gardener who wants a drink but doesn’t want to be distracted from the job in hand. Perfect for serving while entertaining in the garden.

Looking for more botanical drinks? Here’s our list of the best botanical gins. 

Epicurean Herb Melamine Picnic Rectangular Serving Platter

• Buy now from Wayfair (£14.99)

This serving platter does a grand job of holding tasty treats for hardworking gardeners in need of a break.

You’ll find dill, parsley and thyme printed on this rectangular tray so it’s another item on our list for the herb growers in your life. It is made with shatter-resistant melamine so it’s appropriate for outdoor use and it’s also dishwasher safe. 

Whether it’s for a picnic or a party platter, this is a gardening gift that is sure to be used. 

Garden lifestyle gifts

Kilburn and Scott Wool throw

To prevent an outdoor party from being cut short, it’s always a good idea to have a cosy blanket close by. 

This woven throw from John Lewis is a beautiful addition and although it can’t be put in the washing machine, its natural fibres will make it a robust addition to your picnic plans.  Whatever the deco, this pink number would look fabulous in any garden. 

Drape it over an outdoor sofa or day bed for extra cosiness or take it inside to add a fun splash of mustard and brighten up a room. 

Here are lots more blankets we love. 

Lion wall mounted feature

• Buy now from Cox and Cox (£97.50)

This neo-classical eye-catcher is a great addition to anyone’s garden, whether it be big or small. A water feature is always a must, with the sound and motion of the fountain guaranteed to set of beautiful corners of your space and make them feel bigger and calmer. We love this lion-design, which harks to grandeur but can be presented with chic style and subtlety. There’s also LED lights atop the lion’s head so this is a perfect feature for night or day.

• Buy now from Cox and Cox (£97.50)

Gardener Man Illustration

• Buy now from Etsy (£18)

A beautiful and unique illustration, hand drawn digitally using an iPad Pro by artist Emily Lou Holmes, her print ‘Gardener Man’ is a wonderful piece of art that will make a brilliant gift for a gardener who already has everything.

The illustration print is available in sizes A2 and A3, but also as a greeting card and can be gift wrapped if desired.

It is part of a series of illustrations by the artist where she found inspiration from British gardeners and lovers of the outdoors. We think that it’s a lovely piece or art that would make a brilliant gift for any passionate gardener. There is also a female version of the print called ‘Gardener Woman’ available to shop on Etsy.

• Buy now from Etsy (£18)

Barrington Fire Pit

The Barrington Fire Pit from Garden Trading is formed in raw metal and is available in two sizes. Intended for use with logs only, the Barrington’s exterior is curved, creating an attractive and contemporary design. Similar to other fire pits left exposed to the elements, this model will naturally age and become rusted over time.

Dome Gozney oven and stand

• Buy now from Gozney (Dome oven £17,99 and stand £289)

A beautifully designed professional grade outdoor wood-fired oven, the Dome works for beginners for open air cooking and for professional chefs. You can roast, stem or bake with this oven and although wood fuel is recommended for taste, there is the option of a built in gas burner. It comes complete with a digital thermometer, excellent heat retention and a weather resistant outdoor shield that will protect it from whatever mother nature throws at it.

• Buy now from Gozney (Dome oven £17,99 and stand £289)

Trancoso beach bat set

• Buy now from Frescobol Carioca (£245)

One of the things we love best about this bat set – perfect for beach or garden games – is that for every bat sold, a tree will be planted. This bat is made from five pieces of sustainably sourced Brazilian wood offcuts and heat stamped. It is coated in natural waterproof and sand-resistant resin and comes with balls to boot. This is a bat set that will last you a lifetime and beyond.

• Buy now from Frescobol Carioca (£245)

Lexon Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

A wireless Bluetooth speaker may not seem like an obvious choice when it comes to gifts for gardeners, but these handy gadgets are a joy for those working outside for long periods, wanting to listen to music or a podcast hands free and without the faff of earphones or headphones.

When the weather is warmer, they’re also a great accessory for garden parties and entertaining in the garden. This particular Bluetooth speaker has a battery life of three hours, and takes only an hour to charge. Simply stream your music, podcast, audiobook or radio station via your smartphone or tablet.

Find more fun tech in our guide to the best smart garden products and the best garden gadgets for a quick upgrade.

Check out our handy gift guide for outdoor entertaining too.

St Ives Harbour Outdoor Pendant Light

An outdoor light is a much needed item when your garden dinner party continues late into the night. 

This pendant is weatherproof but can also be used inside. There is a 2.5m cable which can be adjusted so you can hang the light at the height of your choice, making it suitable for a variety of spaces. It could be used as a reading light over a comfortable chair, or it could hang over a table for al-fresco entertainment. 

It is worth noting that the light needs to be wired in and it is recommended that you use the help of a qualified electrician.

Here’s our list of the best outdoor lights.

Picnic, garden party and decorating gifts

Corkcicle X Rifle Paper Co Canteen

Flasks are an essential item for gardeners; they keep us cool and hydrated in the summer and warm in the winter. This water bottle is a great gift for gardeners as it does two jobs in one: it keeps cold drinks cold for up to 25 hours and hot drinks hot for up to 12 hours. 

Better yet, it has been beautifully designed by American stationery company Rifle Paper Co., known for its striking floral designs, and Corkcicle, a clever brand creating innovative barware and sustainable drinking vessels.

A practical and pretty gift, this would be a welcome addition to a gardener’s essential kit.

Each stainless steel bottle takes up to 16 oz. 

Looking for more picnic ideas?

Matchbox Seat Pads

• Buy now from Graham & Green (£35)

Garden seating doesn’t have to be dull. And thanks to these bright, retro-inspired cushions, you can really liven up dark or outdated garden furniture. If you know a gardener who loves to entertain, these would be an ideal gift for them.

Taking inspiration from retro matchboxes, these handmade cushions come in a range of quirky designs including lovebirds, parrots and cockerels – a great gift for gardeners and for nature lovers alike. The pads can be used both indoor and out too, making them a great transitional item.

Each seat pad measures 5cm in height, 40cm in width and 40cm in depth.

And take a look at our favourite selection of garden seating here.

Eucalyptus & Laurel Wreath

• Buy now from Lights4Fun (£39.99)

Bring the outdoors in with this stunning fabric work of art from decoration experts Lights4Fun. The soft fabric leaves are amazingly life-like, giving the appearance of freshly picked Eucalyptus and Laurel, while the delicate linen bow adds a stylish decorative finish. Give your guests a festive welcome by hanging the wreath on your door, or it could be hung on your wall, or even lain flat on the dinner table as a striking centrepiece.

This botanical wreath would also make a wonderful garden-themed gift which loved ones can bring out year after year, without having to worry about any unhappy, crispy leaves!

The wreath measures 50cm in diameter.

And learn how to make your own garden wreath here.

Kikkerland Ivy String Lights

A great addition to brighten up any outdoor or indoor area, these remote controlled ivy-inspired string lights by Kikkerland will add a gorgeous level of comforting light to any room or outdoors area at home. Guaranteed to make rooms feel cosier in the evenings and less up-keep than real ivy!

The lights are 10 feet long and features eight different animation settings that you’re able to toggle between using the remote control provided. Batteries are also included for the remote control when you buy the string lights and all is required is a USB port to plug the lights into.

Don’t miss our picks of the best string lights for gardens. 

Don’t miss our Christmas hub page for gift and decoration ideas.

Of all the essential equipment that a gardener should have, there’s few things higher up the list than a reliable set of  gardening gloves. Indeed, a well-chosen pair of gardening gloves will last you over many years, becoming increasingly comfortable. So which should you buy?

For lighter duties like potting and planting, you can get away with lightweight gardening gloves made of polyester or cotton. Lighter gloves also give you more dexterity. But for tougher jobs like shifting rubble or clearing brambles, you’ll want a tougher pair. These are most likely to be made of leather.

And if you regularly prune, you’re best off erring on the side of caution and picking up a heavy-duty pair of gardening gloves that are thornproof. If you spend a lot of time with a wheelbarrow or other garden tools, a pair with extra grip is a wise idea. And if you’re working in short sleeves, gardening gloves with extra-long ‘gauntlet’-style cuffs that will come in handy. Oh, and you may even want a pair that look nice too.

Other features to look out for include breathable backs, elasticated cuffs that will keep the elements out, and leather palms. We’ve picked out a range of our favourites, from heavy-duty options to long gardening gloves. For more essential garden wear, take a look at our selection of the Best wellington boots.

The best gardening gloves in 2023

ReliefGrip Bionic Gardening Gloves

If you suffer from arthritis, or any similar issues where handling things needs a little extra support, take a look at Bionic’s gardening gloves.

They’re a bit eccentric-looking, but they’ve been designed by an orthopaedic hand surgeon to offer your hands as much assistance as possible with your gardening.

Each finger is coated with silicone for extra grip, and there’s a velcro wristband for added support. We’ve linked to the men’s medium size below, but these also come in men’s large and women’s small and large sizes.

Spear & Jackson Men’s Gardening Gloves

If you’re looking for expert credentials on a pair of gardening gloves, you can’t beat the folks at Kew Gardens. The Royal Botanic Gardens’s horticultural team advised and collaborated in the making of these gloves from Spear & Jackson.

Everything about these gloves shouts no-fuss practicality, from the ripstrap cuffs to the elastane backs. They’re also available in pink. 

Burgon & Ball Love The Glove

Here’s a pair of gloves that prioritise style – and why not? The Gatbsy is our favourite set of gloves from Burgon & Ball’s Love the Glove range: we really love that pretty, tile-like pattern and the pink edging. Other gloves in the series use fabrics like tweed and denim. We’re unsure if the artificial suede will look quite so fetching after repeated use – but they’ll certainly make a lovely Christmas gift.

All Things Brighton Beautiful Pigskin Gloves

This set of tan-coloured gardening gloves from All Things Brighton Beautiful tread the line between style and functionality. They’re made of pigskin, which is known for being a particularly soft, supple type of leather. They’re loose-fitting, and offer little in the way of features besides elastic wrists, but will offer an assuring level of comfort as they mould themselves to your hands.

Buy from Not On The High Street

Briers Lined Leather Gardening Gloves

Another pair from Briers, these ones made of cream-coloured hind leather and aimed squarely at the gardening market. This is another pair that look like they’ll happily take battering over many long years in the garden, and will become more comfy along the way. They’re also fleece-lined, to give you that extra warmth.

Long gardening gloves

The Little Boys Room Personalised Denim Gauntlet Gloves

If you’re thinking of Christmas presents for any green-fingered gents you know, take a look at this fun set of long-length denim gardening gloves from The Little Boys Room. You can request a personalised message that will be emblazoned across the arm of one of the gloves – make it count! We’ve picked out the gauntlet-style pair, but you can also get these in a smaller standard size.

Buy from Not On The High Street

Waterproof gardening gloves

Gold leaf winter touch gloves

Gold Leaf is a market leader in gardening gloves, each pair in its line is designed in a variation on the brand’s signature yellow and black colours. We particularly like the Winter Touch Gloves, which are made of a quality deerskin leather that will mould itself to the shape of your hands. A perfect choice for those who want assured quality and comfort – especially as they’re endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. 

Thorn proof gardening gloves

Showa Grip Master Gloves

If you’re in search of gloves that will give you a sturdy grip, these are the best on our list. These gloves from Showa are made of polyester, but with nitrile-coated latex that will tack to surfaces better than leather or cotton. They also have a waterproof coating to keep your hands dry in poor weather.

These are unlikely to be the most pleasant-feeling of gloves, but synthetic fabric is made of a breathable mesh that will prevent your hands getting too clammy. Savvy gardeners will have a pair of these as well as a more all-purpose pair.

Briers Reinforced Rigger Gloves

Rigger gloves aren’t strictly – or at least exclusively – for the garden: they are used throughout the construction industry for handling rough and abrasive materials. This pair from well-known garden brand Briers are ideal for those tougher jobs in the garden, and will keep your hands free of any nasty shocks if you’re clearing brambles. The palms are made of leather, while the ventilated mesh backs will prevent your hands from getting too hot.

Gone are the days when a showerproof jacket was just a thin waterproof; now, there are all kinds of warm, stylish designs available on the high street. From bright and bold storm macs to ultra-cosy longline puffers, there’s a huge selection to choose from.

We’ve scoured the internet to find our favourites; these are the showerproof jackets we’ve got on our wish lists. You’ll find options for both men and women down below.

Best showerproof jackets for women

Marmot Montreaux Coat

If staying warm is a priority, Marmot’s Montreaux coat could be for you. It’s padded with 700-fill-power down and the torso and pockets are fleece-lined for extra cosiness. Plus, you’ll get internal micro-fleece cuffs to stop draughts getting past your wrists.

Other useful additions include the zip-off hood with its smart faux fur edging, and the two-way zip to provide easy ventilation if you get overheated.

There are also plenty of colours to choose from. If you don’t like navy, why not go for the cheerful berry colour or keep things simple with black?

Joules Shoreside Rain Jacket

You can always rely on Joules to sell bright and cheerful outerwear like this sunny raincoat. If yellow’s not for you, try the red, mauve or ivory version.

No matter which colour you choose, you’ll get a hood with a useful storm peak to keep out the rain and an adjustable waist, which you can cinch in with the internal drawcords.

Barbour Lana Jacket

• Buy in olive lime from House of Fraser (£279.00)

We all know Barbour for its iconic wax jackets, but if you’re after something a little different, consider this cosy longline coat from the brand. It’s got horizontal quilting on the inside, as well as a cosy fleece lining around the hood and collar.

An adjustable waist and cuffs make it easy to get a snug fit, while the four pockets provide plenty of room for all your bits and bobs.

Best unisex showerproof jackets

Windermere Waterproof Coat

• Buy now from Cotton Traders (£75.00)

This eye-catching coat takes the traditional rain mac to the next level with a shoulder cape, hidden ribbed cuffs and attractive colouring. It’s not only showerproof, but fully waterproof, complete with taped seams to keep out any moisture.

The coat is ‘wadded’ to give extra warmth on chilly days, and lined with microfleece in the inner collar and a printed check fabric across the upper body.

The detachable hood with its adjustable drawcord also makes this a versatile option.

Finisterre Vellus Parka

• Buy for men from Finisterre (£375.00)
• Buy for women from Finisterre (£375.00)

Finisterre combines practicality, comfort and sustainability in this clever showerproof coat. It’s made with a combination of recycled polyester and organic cotton in a three-layer design, which includes recycled insulation, sherpa fleece and a waterproof outer.

To really protect you against the elements, the Vellus Parker has taped waterproof seams, a three-point adjustable hood and soft ribbed cuffs to stop any draughts.

A two-way zip, fleece-lined pockets and adjustable waist complete the package.

Best showerproof jackets for men

Ted Baker Manby jacket

The clean design and smart colouring of this jacket makes it suitable for both formal and casual occasions.

The funnel neck and quilted construction should keep you warm on chilly days, and the whole jacket is showerproof to keep out the rain.

The design also includes snug pockets to hold your valuables or keep your hands warm.

Crew Clothing Company Packable Munro Jacket

Crew takes the standard coat-in-a-bag format and adds its own smart touches. There are no bright colours here; you’ll get the brand’s classic navy colouring and recognisable crossed-oars icon printed on the chest, but you can also buy it in burgundy.

Like all the best showerproof jackets, this design has an adjustable hood to help block out the rain. It’s also compact and lightweight, making it easy to pack away until you need it.

Mountain Warehouse Seasons Padded Jacket

Although this might look like your average puffer coat, it actually comes with some impressive features. It’s thermal tested to -30°C and treated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR), so droplets will roll right off.

This compact jacket is a great choice if you like to cram your jackets into a bag to keep on you all day, as it’s lightweight and packs down small.

It also comes in a wide selection of different plain and patterned finishes, but we love this blue version with the pop of orange in the hood.

Looking for more stylish outerwear? See our edits of the best gardening jackets for men, gardening jackets for women and gardening overalls.

Whether you are gardening in the rain or out on the allotment when it’s muddy, a reliable pair of wellies is essential for anyone who spends lots of time in the great outdoors. Especially in autumn, as the weather gets colder and wetter and the ground becomes muddier underfoot, and a pair of lighter shoes simply won’t do.  

A good-quality pair of wellies will be waterproof, breathable, not too loose or tight around your calves – and perhaps just a little stylish too. We’ve picked out 9 of the best wellington boots below, so whether your priority is comfort, durability or style, you’ll find the perfect pair for you.

For more top picks of clothes and accessories for gardening and outdoor use, head to our what to wear page. And once you’ve taken your wellies for a muddy stroll or had a cleaning session with the pressure washer? Brush them off with our pick of the best boot scrapers.

How to choose the best pair of wellies

• How much do you plan to wear your wellingtons? Spend accordingly: a budget pair will probably suffice for a weekend-long festival, but be prepared to spend more if you’re planning to do lots of gardening in them.
• If walking in your boots is your main aim, consider buying a pair with shock-absorbent cushioning in their heels. The best wellies for walking are usually higher in price, but are a wise investment.
• Our feet and legs come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. If you have wider calves, consider buying a pair with a strap so you can adjust them to fit you comfortably.
• Concerned about animal welfare in rubber production? Keep an eye out for vegan-friendly wellington boots.

Best wellington boots for gardening

Barbour Bede Wellington Boot

A pair of mid-range boots from Barbour, these would make great gardening wellies. As you would likely expect of the brand, these rubber boots are simple and timeless in design, and showcase the company’s reputation for quality and style right down to the signature tartan lining. Ultimately, the Barbour Bede Wellington Boots offer exceptionally good value for money, and are available in navy, olive green and black. The non-slip rubber soles mean that these wellies would be great for muddy garden jobs and the pull-on design makes them perfect for keeping by the back door to nip in and out in bad weather. 

Evercreatures Raspnavy Tall Wellies

• Buy now from eBay (£44.99).

These women’s wellies from Evercreatures might be one of the cheapest on this list, but they are of a quality that makes them excellent value for money. Navy in colour, the Raspnavy wellies are brought to life with a fun raspberry-red gusset strap, and they are made of 100 percent natural rubber. Best of all, they come with a 12-month warranty, if you are concerned about their longevity. A solid and reliable choice for those spending on a moderate budget for a pair of gardening wellies. 

Jameson Le Chameau Unisex Footwear

• Buy now from Le Chameau (£300).

These wellington boots from Jameson are made of premium leather, which means that they are not only more flexible than rubber but more durable too. Leather also ages far more gracefully too, with the scuffs of prolonged wear-and-tear giving them a satisfying patina. They even showcase another world-famous brand: take a look at the soles, and you’ll see they are made of Michelin rubber.

Joules Printed Wellies

Whoever said wellies shouldn’t be a fashion statement? Those who want something fun on their feet to brighten up days in the garden should take a look at these boots from country-inspired fashion company Joules. This particular pair are patterned with birds, but you’ll find other sets with cats, dogs and ladybirds in the same range. With the style comes substance too, fortunately: the back gusset is adjustable to ensure they fit comfortably around your calves. The designs are hand-drawn before being printed, so you’ll really be wearing welly art! They also come with a year’s guarantee. 

 Aigle Parcours Wellington Boot

These slip-on rubber wellies from French company Aigle are marketed as ‘the first anti-fatigue’ boot, and would make great wellies for gardening, especially if you have a long day of trudging up and down the garden with a wheelbarrow ahead of you. The heels in the Parcour contain a cushion that absorbs the impact of walking – something you will likely appreciate if you’re on your feet outside for hours at a time. They have even been put to the test by a panel of farmers, hunters, environmentalists and rangers – in other words, they are expert-approved.

Dubarry Longford Knee High Boots

• Buy now from John Lewis (£399).

Like the Jameson wellies, this pair from Dubarry are made of leather but they offer all the same advantages over those made of rubber. The Longfords also boast a Gore-Tex lining that will ensure that your feet aren’t just kept dry, but warm too. Of particular note are touches like the inner hook that allows wearers to pull them on and off easily, as well as the double buckles that will ensure they can be fitted with extra precision around your calves.

Muck Boots Arctic Adventure Rain Boots

Those worried about the cold should give these wellies from Muck Boot consideration. The Arctic Adventure boots have snug, fleece-lined interiors that are designed to offer warmth and protection in temperatures as low as -30C. The 2mm thermal foam insoles will provide additional insulation, while the neoprene cuffs will keep the boots close to your legs, without letting any cold air inside. The ideal choice if you’re about to brave the most unforgiving of elements, or plan to spend long hours gardening in the cold.

Fitflop Wonderwelly Tall Wellington Boots

These wellies are ideal for buyers looking for a pair in the classic, featureless, rubber tradition – but are also looking for some guaranteed quality. Fitflop’s Wonderwelly boots certainly don’t try to reinvent the wheel in terms of style, but tucked away inside these wellies is some seriously innovative design. The soles are contoured to ensure the wearer’s body weight is distributed evenly, while the heel features a honeycomb-like series of cavities that will absorb the impact of walking. There are also high-rebound springboards at the front of the boot to give you a bit of extra bounce making them great gardening wellies.

Women’s Fairweather II Wellingtons

These rubber boots from Regatta are one of the cheapest on this list, but will still offer the levels of comfort and sturdiness that you will need in a pair of wellies. Like other wellies in this round-up, these feature a cushioned footbed, and are made of leather that is vulcanised (strengthened through a chemical process). However, the Fairweathers label this process as completely vegan-friendly. 

Can you leave wellington boots outside?

Wellies can be kept indoors or outdoors, but will likely last longer when stored in a warm, dry place. Take a look at our options for wellington boot storage for inspiration on how to keep them neat and organised!

A trusty pair of wellington boots are an essential accessory for gardening, especially as the weather changes and the ground becomes soggy with mud. How you store them is equally as important, so you know exactly where they are when you need them most.

Whether you have a large family and want some order in the hallway, or you simply want a statement piece that will hold your garden footwear, a welly boot storage unit can be the ideal solution for keeping track of your boots, and stop the boots from tracking mud into your home.

For more smart storage solutions, see our favourite tool organisers and outdoor boxes.

Welly boot storage to buy in 2023

Woodside Steel Wellington Boot Rack

Capable of holding up to four pairs of wellington boots thanks to eight support poles, this is an ideal rack for a family sized gathering of muddy shoes. Made from powdered coated steel this rack should be fine to use both indoors and outdoors without becoming damaged from the weather conditions.

It does require self-assembly but claims to be easy to put together, with the boot holders gradually raising in height. This means it can store a variety of sizes, to stop yourself and the kids bringing the outdoors into your home.

Churnet Valley Boot Store

Give your wellington boots a rest from the elements beneath this pressure treated timber boot storage. Handmade in the UK, it’s wide and tall enough to fit several pairs of boots, keeping your passageway and garden well organised, so you can grab your boots whenever you need them.

Buy Churnet Valley Boot Store now from Garden Chic

Fallen Fruits Wall Bootrack

If you’re lacking on floor space or would prefer to hang your wellington boots where you can see them, this handy wall rack can hold up to four pairs. Boasting high-quality wood there’s also the option of storing additional items on the shelf space above. Just ensure it’s attached securely to the wall. Unfortunately screws don’t come included. 

Farringdon Welly Stand

A subtle and stylish wellington stand designed to be used indoors this is a smaller unit idea ideal for placing beside the front door. It has two rows, designed to place larger boots at the back and smaller wellies in the front, to keep your footwear organised. Made from steel, it has a clear matt laminate lacquer for an even finish.

Tall Chedworth Welly Locker

With 11 slots to organise your general footwear, this Chedworth welly locker also has two tall slots specifically designed for wellington boots. Each slot has its own name holder which means everyone has their own section to store their boots, so you can keep an eye on who is tracking in the muddiest pair.

Chester and Cooke welly rack

There’s no doubt what this rack is for, due to the engraving on the handmade, birch wood piece. This statement rack comes in a variety of sizes and can hold between two to four pairs of wellingtons depending on your choice. There’s also the additional option of ordering the piece with or without a shelf. As well as a utility hook for dog leads, it also comes pre-drilled to speed up the process of attaching it to your wall.

Personalised Wooden Welly Boot Wall Racks

Make your mark by adding your family name (or any wording of your choice) to this wooden boot rack which claims to be made completely by hand using locally sourced English Oak. 

The boots are held in place with 1.5 inch dowels which should provide a secure fit whatever the size of the boot, so there’s little risk of them falling. Fitted to the wall with invisible screw head fixings, you can even have individual names engraved above each wellington boot space for an added personal touch, or simply leave it blank so you can hang your boots wherever you like.

Oak Welly Rack

A simple, minimalist welly rack, this oak frame gets the job done with little fuss and is available in a range of sizes. Whether you’re looking to store two pairs or need to organise six sets of boots, hanging them on this wall rack will help avoid clutter on the ground. Handmade from oak, they claim it’s durable enough to withstand outdoor conditions so can be placed in the hallway or on an outside wall.

Moreton Well Store

Made from spruce and stained black, this raised welly rack has been designed to let the air circulate around your neatly stored wellington boots. It has a slanted, galvanised sheet metal roof to keep rain away from your items to let them dry, and has enough room for three to four pairs of boots, depending on their size. 

Buy Moreton Well Store now from Garden Trading  (£230)

Wellington boot rack

This simple storage solution is made from solid steel, which has been coated in plastic to provide a sturdy but practical unit. It has room to hold up to six pairs at once, including three adult pairs and three children’s pairs, which means it’s ideal for a family. 

It can be placed either indoors or outdoors with a design that means the boots will be placed upside down to prevent rain water from collecting in them. Due to the compact design it should fit well anywhere it’s placed, whether that’s beside the front door or in the hallway, with a rust resistant material so you shouldn’t have to worry about the impact of rain. 

Gardeners spend their time digging, weeding, planting and picking. Often the hardest work is done when the weather is cold and even if your hands are covered in a pair of gloves, the bitter weather sneaks through and plays havoc with your hands and can leave skin looking worn, chapped and dry. Here’s where gardener’s hand cream comes in. Below we pick the best hand cream for gardeners, which will protect your cells from premature ageing.

Here are 10 of our favourite gardener’s hand creams that we think will do the job of protecting your hands from the elements perfectly.

For more kit for gardeners, head to our tools page and don’t miss our piece on the best floral facemasks. 

The best hand cream for gardeners in 2022

 Crabtree + Evelyn: Gardeners Hand Cream

Fragranced with green clover, lavender, sage, rosemary and thyme, this ultra-rich hand cream is a firm favourite among gardeners because of its ability to quickly nourish worn hands.

Crabtree and Evelyn offer a whole range of protective gardeners hand creams, which show their understanding of the amount of work our hands go through to keep our gardens looking great. This hand cream is made specifically with gardeners in mind and is inspired by natural ingredients.

The gardeners hand cream has a loyal base of followers that has built up over the years: a reason not to ignore this classic.

Cost: £31.50 per 250ml

Neal’s Yard Citrus Hand Softener

Originally based in Covent Garden, Neal’s Yard is known for its holistic approach to beauty products and their commitment to organic ingredients.

This Citrus Hand Softener is lovely to put on your hands and its strong citrus smell is refreshing (although could prompt a ‘marmite’ reaction from those who dislike the bitter scent of peel!). Your hands feel instantly soft, although slightly greasy.

This would be a good gardening hand cream to apply before bed or after a bath when you have the time to let the cream sink in.

Cost: £15 per 50g

Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

Kiehl’s started out as an apothecary and then a pharmacy in East Village, New York. They sell many products that are targeted solutions to common ailments, such as acne and uneven skin tone, drawing on years of experience and using naturally derived ingredients.

This is one of the more medicinal hand creams on the list and one of the most intense. The hand salve is thick and it takes a while for the cream to soak in, but once dry your hands feel as though they have gone through a beauty treatment.

The fragrance may not be to everyone’s liking but if you’re looking for a deep treatment from your gardener’s hand cream, this is it.

Cost: £15 for 75 ml

Molton Brown Orange and Bergamot hand cream

This nourishing hand cream will be a balm for any hardworking gardener’s hands. It smells very citrussy with its top notes of orange and bergamot, and the gardener’s hand cream is paraben-free, gluten-free, cruelty-free and vegan. As well as its citrus top notes, expect hints of neroli, cardamom, galbanum, musk, ylang-ylang and cedarwood.

This cream is very silky smooth so immediately makes your hands feel moisturised and refreshed.

Molton Brown is an English-based company, which blends all its products on these shores too.

Cost: £22 per 300ml

Hemp Hand Protector

For gardeners whose hands get super dry, this simple offering from The Body Shop could be your gardener’s hand cream saviour.

This cream is especially good for skin that’s been exposed to the elements, which means gardener’s hands! It offers 24 hour hydration and the hemp seed oil used comes from a hemp crop that helps to regenerate land and provide natural habitat for local wildlife in France.

Hemp itself is filled with beneficial fatty acids that don’t clog skin or pores and it’s worth noting that this definitely is not a greasy hand cream offering.

Cost: £5 per 30ml

L’Occitane Almond Delicious Hand Cream

A soothing salve for your hands that smells of the lovely almond tree. This gardener’s hand cream features both almond milk and almond oil.

L’Occitane is committed to protecting plants and use ingredients that are traceable and sustainably sourced. The company has been working to bring back almond trees to Provence and protect the local lavender there too, which is under threat from climate change.

This hand cream is also satisfyingly non-greasy.

Cost: £16.50 per 75ml

Humble Rose and Frankincense Hand Lotion

Presenter and environmentalist Kate Humble is behind this range, which aims to provide luxurious products that refrain from having a detrimental impact on the environment. Her products are natural, biodegradable and without parabens or SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate), which is believed to have carcinogenic properties.

This Rose and Frankincense Hand Lotion has a lovely smell – rich but not overpowering. Your hands are left feeling slightly waxy but not sticky or greasy. This is a good everyday hand product.

Cost: £8 per 285 ml

Noble Isle Rhubarb Rhubarb! Hand Lotion

Noble Isle is a quintessential British brand that sources its ingredients from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Set up in 2011, Noble Isle has quickly established the brand as a ‘cruelty-free’, one-stop shop for natural, British, body care.

The forced rhubarb in this Rhubarb Rhubarb! Hand lotion is sourced from a sixth-generation rhubarb farm in the Yorkshire Rhubarb Triangle. It has a wonderfully fresh fragrance that lingers on the skin but never becomes too overbearing. It leaves your gardener’s hands feeling soft and pampered.

Perfect as a light gardening hand cream moisturise, it doesn’t perhaps give quite the intense, healing treatment of other products mentioned here.

Cost: £21 per 250ml

Aesop Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm

Aesop was established in Melbourne, Australia and aims to make products of the finest quality, only using ingredients from reputable sources. This hand balm is an ideal gardener’s hand cream because it combines botanical ingredients and softening emollients to offer natural but rich hydration. It has a strong earthy aroma, which is a welcome change from the more floral, and citrus based creams.

You instantly feel that this cream is retuning moisture back to your hands and the end result is soft, non-greasy skin that has a lingering woody fragrance.

Cost: £21 for 75ml

Beefayre Orange and Neroli Hand Cream

Hand made in England, Beefayre donates 3 per cent of profits to bee conservation and research. They sustainably source all ingredients and ensure their packaging is low impact on the environment.

Parabens, sulphates and animal testing are strictly avoided and their products are organic where possible. This Bee Kind gardeners hand cream uses both beeswax and Shea butter and includes grapeseed and sunflower oils.

Cost £14.95 per 100ml

Whether you’re potting up plants in the greenhouse, cutting back over-grown shrubs or splitting logs, these gardening aprons offer extra protection when it’s needed most. 

If you’re looking to invest in maximum pocket space to hold onto your tools, a flexible fit to keep you mobile, or simply a heavyweight material to keep stains at bay, there are a variety of options to fit your specific gardening needs.

Best gardening aprons in 2023

Esschert Design Long Garden Apron

Made from canvas and polyester, this robust apron has plenty of pocket compartments so you can hold onto a number of tools at once. Due to the extra long, divided apron your knees will also be protected from muddy and wet patches, with adjustable straps at the neck and waist to ensure a comfortable fit.

LeerKing Cross Back Linen Apron

This stylish linen apron has a cross-back style so you can just pull it on over your head and not have to tie any strings. It has large double pockets for tool storage, a split-hem design for ease of movement and comes in a choice of earthy colours.

TOURBON Heavy Duty Waxed Canvas

Useful for a variety of household tasks, this waxed canvas apron will hold up in the garden thanks to its thick split cowhide material, which is particularly durable. With full coverage down past the knees and a variety of pockets, you’ll be able to tend to tough garden tasks, with your tools within reach.

Discoball Oxford Cloth Garden Apron

With 14 pockets in total you can go into the garden fully equipped. There are 5 big pockets, 4 medium sized and 4 small, with a top pocket to keep track of all your gardening basics.  Made from high quality Oxford cloth, it’s both waterproof and wear-resistant so you can really put it through its paces.

ANPPEX Durable Tool Apron with Pocket

Finely stitched with reinforced double stitching, this apron is built to last. It’s water-resistant, stain resistant, tear resistant and abrasion resistant, and will hold onto your tools without them moving easily while you work. If 10 pockets aren’t enough there are also additional loops for extra storage.

Burgon & Ball Gardener’s Apron

This apron from the Sophie Conran collection is proof you don’t need to compromise on style while kneeling in soil. Made from 100% heavyweight cotton it’s a durable piece, with two deep pockets and a hanging, leather loop where you can store your secateurs or snips. There’s even a small pocket specifically designed to keep your phone or keys close by.

Carhartt Duck Apron

Cut from Carhartt’s strongest cotton duck, this tough apron brings plenty of pocket space. As well as the four large pockets and two smaller pockets, there’s a multi-compartment bib with a secure zipper closure, which means you won’t lose any tools while leaning over and tending to your borders.

Buy now from Carhartt

Risdon & Risdon Denim Apron

This gardening apron features five generous pockets suitable for carrying all your gardening necessities. We love the pocket with a handy eyelet guide especially for your garden twine. Risdon & Risdon, based in Shropshire, offer free repairs for life for all of their products, so this is fantastic buy for sustainability and longevity.

Buy now from Risdon & Risdon

Labour & Wait Bib Apron

With an adjustable neck strap, this one-size-fits all apron is a practical option for the minimalist gardener. Featuring a large, gusseted pocket on the front and a small pocket at the top, this 100% cotton duck fabric has been hand-washed which means the material will fade and weather with age for an authentic look.

Buy now from Labour and Wait

Bovine Leather Apron 

Handmade in the Netherlands, the Bovine leather apron is formed from high quality Italian material, noted for its suppleness which wraps around the wearer to create a snug and fitted feel. Attached to the notably strong leather are oiled and buffed leather straps that can be adjusted to provide additional comfort. 

Buy now from Xapron

Waterproof Oilskin Apron

The best option for protecting your clothes from adverse weather, or just the hose, this waterproof oilskin apron has two large pockets which are ideal for storing tools during soggy chores such as washing down vegetables or watering the plants.

Buy now from Carrier Company

Japanese Selvedge Denim Apron

Handcrafted by Edward de Lacy, this apron features a large waist pocket with tool pockets, and a chest pocket to fit pens and small tools. The vegetable-tanned leather detailing will darken to a tan-brown patina over time. 

Buy now from DeLacy

Don’t compromise on style when tackling your gardening jobs. Wearing the right apparel for the garden or allotment is as important as the tools you use – you need to be comfortable, able to move freely and protected from the elements.

We’ve rounded up ten of the best jackets from the gardening. Ranging from a long, waterproof jacket, quilted pleather jacket, Niwaki work jacket to insulated windproof : we have you covered.

You may also like

• The best gardening jackets for men
• The best showerproof jackets: traditional, padded and packable designs
• Luxury outdoor clothing and accessories to add to your wardrobe
• The best gardening trousers

Best gardening jackets for women

Niwaki Kojima jacket

From top gardening brand Niwaki comes the Kojima work jacket. You can move about freely in the Kojima thanks to the 2% stretch incorporated into the design with indigo selvedge denim, sourced from Kurashiki. You can lop trees, climb ladders and prune with comfort and ease. The deep lined pockets are ideal for storing tools and gloves in. The loose fitting nature of the design will also help keep you cool during warmer months. It’s stylish enough to dress up for a modern, off-duty look. The jacket can easily be stored away by simply rolling up, and an included denim tote bag comes with it for extra storage.

Women’s Diablo Dynamic Jacket

The Diablo Dynamic jacket is a versatile option to suit all your daily needs when you’re busy outside battling rain or frost. It makes a great everyday jacket too, but is particularly ideal for gardening during colder weather thanks to the waterproof and windproof fabric it’s been designed with. DryVent™ fabric technology ensures that your body temperature is regulated and keeps you warm and comfortable whilst you work outside. Designed with the planet in mind, it’s made using recycled polyester.

Long Iona Coat

The Iona Long Coat comes in a ¾ length and is a popular staple design, cut in an A-line shape it provides a flattering fit to all sizes. But the stylish benefit do not compromise the practical ones. This long coat is made with soft jersey lining, fully tapered seams, and has the added bonuses of being waterproof, windproof and breathable – perfect for the wild weather outdoors. It is easy to clean as it can be popped in the washing machine.

There is plenty of storage thanks to two handy front pockets and a zipped internal pocket. So you can carry your gardening gloves and hori hori tool, and even your phone, safely with you whilst tackling gardening jobs. Available in a range of cheerful colour options, including Raspberry, Deep Green and Sunrise.

Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket

Don’t let the frost stop you from tending to those important winter gardening jobs. Wrap up warm in this women’s outdoor jacket. The microfleece-lined neck and centre-front zipper will keep you protected from harsh winds and chills. For extra protection, the adjustable hood comes with a laminated visor that rolls down and can be stowed away.

An adjustable drawcord hem and two zippered handwarmer pocketswill help keep you feeling secure and snug. Plus, it’s Fair Trade Certified™ sewn and made from recycled fabric, making this a sustainable purchase that will prove to be invaluable for all your gardening jobs.

Berghaus Women’s Nula Insulated Jacket

This lightweight, short jacket from Berghaus combines sustainability with practical benefits. Made from bluesign® approved fabrics and PFC Free Durable Water Repellent materials, you know you’re making an ethical purchase with this outdoor jacket. Despite being padded and super-comfy, this jacket is incredibly lightweight thanks to the light synthetic insulation which will keep you warm, but also enable breathability and ease for moving around in.

For extra-cold days in the garden, the inner stretch cuff around the wrists keeps chills away and the comfy collar stretches all the way up to your chin to keep you snug from any drafts. Two zipped pockets also enable you to securely carry and store small items.

Fjallraven Women’s Vardag Anorak

Swedish brand, Vardag, have designed this women’s jacket to withstand harsh elements, but not compromise on protection and practicality. Made from a combination of 65% recycled polyester and 35% organic cotton, this durable, weather resistant jacket comes with an adjustable hood and long zipper to keep you protected and warm.

There is a super-handy kangaroo pocket at the front, and several hand and inner-mesh zipper pockets incorporated in this design, which are perfect for carrying small gardening tools and essentials with you whilst you work on your garden or allotment. Suitable for use all year round, you can even layer up with an additional fleece or under jacket thanks to the roomy design of this athletic jacket.

Joules Newdale Quilted Jacket

The stunning quilted Newdale jacket from Joules ticks all the boxes for wearing in the garden. Inspired by the countryside, the princess seams and pleather detailing add a layer of quilted protection. There are many hidden benefits to this stylish jacket such as, angled pockets, a zip and popper fastening and back belt that can be adjusted by poppers to fit and flatter your shape. Woven into this design are vent openings at the cuffs, which can be adjusted to your pleasing.

Made from a combination of cotton and polyester, the flattering princess seams and brass trims add a premium touch to this short jacket. With its designer looks, it may come as a pleasant surprise that this jacket can be looked after at home, as it can be machine washed and tumble dried on a low heat. The floral lining is a hidden, pretty addition to this stunning piece from Joules. Pictured here is Grape Leaf, but there are other colour options such as Caramel and True Black.

Seawater Women’s Waterproof Jacket

Made from a combination of 100% cotton and polyester, this modern jacket is equipped with Trespass Technology, Tres-Tex Technology, for a breathable, waterproof and windproof jacket. Ideal for hectic weather conditions, this jacket is a mid-length meaning that you can work in the garden with ease but also have protection from rain and colder weather conditions.

There is plenty of storage with two pockets with flaps, large enough for garden tools, and an additional two zip pockets for safely tucking away small items. Plus, the grown-on hood has adjusters and there are two adjustable flaps on the sleeves making is easy for you to adjust the coat to fit you comfortably and keep you snug and warm. On top of all these features, the jacket itself is a stylish number with a striped jersey lining and is available in a choice of bold colours to add a burst of colour to grey weather.

Women’s UA Forefront Rain Jacket

We’ve covered jackets ideal for colder weather, but how about the warmer months? Or perhaps you might be looking for a light undercoat to add to cosy fleece or gilet? This lightweight rain jacket from Under Armour is an economical option to add to your gardening outerwear collection. It’s both waterproof and breathable, thanks to UA Storm technology.

The full mesh lining adds extra breathability and is ideal when performing physically demanding gardening jobs. The added secure, zipped hand pockets provide extra storage for securely carrying small valuables such as your keys or phone. It’s available in Mauve Pink (as pictured) and Black.

Joules Shoreside Hooded Coat

A practical addition to hang on your coat stand, this athletic mid-length jacket combines contemporary cool with quality design. Designed for withstanding the elements outdoors, this long sleeve jacket is made from cotton for a comfortable wear. The soft structure enables fluid movement and flexibility – perfect for use when gardening. There is also a built-in hood with adjustable fasteners for an added layer of protection. It’s easy to maintain this jacket as it can be machine washed at 30°C. Available in a multitude of bright, pastel colours, this colourful coat is practical yet stylish.

It’s time to wrap up warm, stay safe, comfortable and dry and enjoy gardening even if the elements have other ideas. And to do that you’re going to need some trusty over-the-top workwear.

Of course you could make do with an old jumper or that cast-off jacket (with holes at the elbows) but once you’ve tried bespoke, purpose-built gear you’ll never go back.

Modern workwear combines natural materials such as wool and leather with hi-tech composites such as neoprene in combinations tailor made to keep you warm, dry, and mobile.

You may also like

• The best gardening jackets for women
• The best showerproof jackets: traditional, padded and packable designs
• Luxury outdoor clothing and accessories to add to your wardrobe
• The best gardening trousers

There are five basic considerations that your perfect jacket needs to provide:

Stay warm

The first consideration, as autumn arrives and temperatures slide to become winter, is to stay warm. With daylight becoming an ever-rarer resource as the seasons roll over it’s important to make the most of your days and get those big gardening jobs done! Getting cold when working isn’t just uncomfortable, it increases your fatigue levels and makes you less able – both physically and mentally – to keep going. Combined with decreasing light from an early-setting sun and you could be *feeling* like you’ve put in a full day’s work, but in reality you’ve only been active for a couple of hours.

Suddenly tasks like giving the lawn that final mow for winter starts to take all day when it took you an hour in summer… And big autumn jobs like erecting a fence run past that weekend you set aside and start to drag on for weeks…

The trick is to stay warm and active and don’t let your body fool you into cutting your day short.

Stay dry

It’s great weather for ducks… But gardeners not so much. Damp days in the wrong gear will cut your gardening activities short or – if you’ve not something truly waterproof to wear – prevent them from starting altogether. And getting wet isn’t just uncomfortable, do it too often for too long and you’ll get ill.

And getting wet makes you cold. Your body heat leaves your body and goes to work trying to evaporate the water you’ve soaked up, while non breathable fabrics will then trap this moisture and heat causing you to stew in your own steam. At best your muscles will tire and you’ll call it a day, or at worst you’ll catch a chill and potentially lose the whole week.

Modern waterproof, breathable workwear let’s you keep working in comfort, whatever the weather.

Stay flexible

Simply repurposing your old Sunday best as ‘gardening clothing’ is tempting but isn’t conducive to getting the best out of you in the garden. Not only are those holey, worn clothes obviously less warm and less waterproof than modern ‘pro gardening’ alternatives but make you less physically productive too.

Your old smarts simply aren’t designed for repetitive actions such as bending and stretching with sleeves and trouser legs designed to house and contain the body rather than allow it move within it. Movement within such clothing creates friction that will ultimately wear you out – no tools or gardening jobs required – meaning that at the end of the day less apples get picked and less lawn gets raked.

Modern workwear on the other hand is cut to allow kneeling and bending, stretching and lifting. It’s aim is to be as invisible and unobstructive as possible, stepping aside to get you closer to the job in hand.

Stay stylish

And – great news – you can do it all in style. Today’s waterproofs are nothing like the old oily workwear your grandparents might have worn. Now you can tend your allotment one minute, pick the kids up from school the next, and meet friends for coffee all without a change of garb (and all without looking like a scarecrow).

And if you’re looking for a little colour then the days of drab greens and browns are far behind us. And bright colours aren’t just on trend, if you’re working solo out in the wilds you can stay safe and get seen should an accident happen by sporting your choice of warm oranges and reds to bright industrial-style fluoros.

And keep gardening fun

Feeling comfortable, getting the job done and truly achieving something isn’t just good for your garden, it’s good for your mind and soul too. Gardening isn’t about manual labour, feeling uncomfortable, feeling tired… It’s about feeling good through creating something beautiful. So do yourself a favour and wear the jacket that let’s you do the job properly.

Here’s our pick of ten of the best that meet the above in style:

The best jackets for gardening in 2023

Rab Men’s VR Summit Jacket

Top brand Rab make a huge range of jackets – anything from lightweights such as this through to full polar-proof winter attire but this one hits the spot for us.

The VR Summit Jacket features a breathable Pertex Quantum Air shell which is guaranteed to keep you warm and dry while its durable water repellent coating sheds water like a duck’s back. Complete with a hood – fully adjustable with a stiffened peak to keep it in place – it offers top-rated wind and rain protection from the waist up.

Inside there’s a warming, brushed wicking lining while outside it’s cut for agility and action. The VR excels at stretching and responding to movement while a drawstring waist prevent ride-up and air gaps as you climb or stoop.

And – of course there’s YKK Vislon zips both on the large hand-warming pockets and double-ended front zip for easy entry and exit around tools and layers.

Scruffs Trade Flex Softshell Work Jacket

Scruffs workwear is often seen keeping workers safe and warm building sites, but it’s just at home in the garden doing likewise.

This jacket really does do the lot. It’s designed to protect you from the elements being wind and water resistant with a high collar and dipped back hem. It features a fleece lining (and fleece lined collar) for warmth, with adjustable half-elasticated hem and cuffs for a warm, air-tight fit.

Plus it’s mesh-lined for all-day breathability meaning that as the day’s temperature changes you’ll stay cosy or cool inside, all day long.

There’s abrasion-resistant panels where it matters and best of all it’s ‘4-way flexible’ meaning that you’ve maximum range of movement once wrapped up inside as the jacket stretches and adapts with your body as you work, while its sleeves are ergonomically cut for bending and lifting.

And all that with sharp modern ‘means business’ looks and a keen price.

Berghaus Men’s Ghlas 2.0 Softshell Jacket

Another excellent midweight option to wear 100% in autumn then add underneath a thicker more padded warmer outer layer when the cold bites.

There’s a durable water repellent finish, plenty of pockets, acres of stretch and a profile that won’t get in the way if you’re swinging garden tools or climbing trees.

It’s also made from Bluesign approved fabric, meaning that its construction involved lower environmental impact than other man-made fabrics.

Team it with their matching trousers for a 100% warm top to toe agility and protection.

Orvis RT7 Quilted Gilet

Orvis have got the outdoor game aced and while their thicker, oiled outdoor weather-wear gives superb waterproofing, it’s the freedom and workability of their RT7 diamond-quilted gilet that caught our eye.

An insulated gilet perfectly keeps your core temperatures up while allowing you to get busy with the gardening tools unimpeded. The diamond quilting means plenty of insulation, all held in check (literally) to prevent unwelcome bulk. Wear on top of a thick cotton shirt to keep the cold out, or underneath a looser waterproof top coat to stop the rain in its tracks.

The mid-waist snaps can be adjusted to allow a looser fit, or fasten them up and go for a more tailored, stylish Orvis outdoor look. And a large internal pocket is the perfect place to keep a hat or gloves at the ready.

A range of classic country colours – we love this garnet red – complete what is a class act.

Finisterre Lapwing Insulated Shirt

In the garden it’s all about the profile and the ability to move and while Finisterre classify this as a ‘shirt’ (or even a [cough] ‘shacket’…) it IS filled with their A-Form Engineered Insulation to give high loft and better-than-down performance. And the FC-free water resistant finish keeps you dry too.

Wear loose and enjoy ‘jacket-free’ levels of movement and airflow, or simply fasten up and pop the collar when the weather demands. Alternatively roll it up small and keep it in a bag ready for when the sun sets or wind chill arrives.

And – of course – Finisterre will happily provide you with all kinds of shirts and knitwear to wear beneath when you need to build the layers and last you right through to springtime.

Barbour Prestbury

It’s the modern, outdoors-y take on the classic Barbour wax jacket. Less detail, less sculpting and fitting, and more room to move and get the job done.

A Barbour’s water-shedding abilities are legendary and this is no exception, with a 6oz Sylkoil waxed cotton outer guaranteeing that you’re waterproof no matter whatever the wind pressure. And that warm box-quilted lining inside that stay-dry cocoon will keep you cosy without wrapping you up in bulk.

Plus Barbour’s famous wipe-clean surface will have you smart enough for entertaining mere minutes after muck-spreading.

The looser fit give you below-waist warmth and waterproofing without impeding bending or climbing and a fastenable high collar seals you in if you really need to keep the weather out.

It’s all finished off with subtle stitching detail and angled pockets which will not only keep your hands worm but fasten with Barbour’s classic stud-close flaps to prevent pocket tools from escaping.

Dickies Glyndon Jacket

Dickies workwear is legendary. Hard wearing but keenly priced, Glyndon is their modern take on the classic gardener’s smock. Lots of room to manouvre but with sufficient light weight to prevent you feeling swamped.

It’s made from hard wearing but lightweight poplin cotton which is further reinforced across the back and the elbows and all those familiar gardening impact points where the material and seams need to take the strain.

It’s more to keep the dirt out – being fully washable – rather than a weather-protector but with room to wear woolens beneath you’re in no danger of catching cold.

Four huge pockets mean you can leave the house fully equipped for all-day activity with tools, gloves and perhaps the odd flask and sandwich.

North Face Rostoker

North Face started out equipping climbers but their tough and warm reputation – and ever-expanding range of performance products – mean that they’re clothing is ideal for anyone who’s active outdoors. Be it conquering the Eiger or pruning the roses.

The Rostoker is another smock-style gardening over jacket with bags of room and pockets for essentials.

It’s made from 98% cotton with 2% elastane for a little bonus stretch. It’s all woven into a durable canvas that’ll brush off snagging and thorns while its insulation is a generous 75% renewable and traceable HD wool.

In fact the whole garment is designed to be biodegradable meaning that at the end of its lifespan it’s not going to burden the environment.

Gardenheir Cotton Drill Chore Shirt

Gardenheir are something new and different in the world of gardening wear. While recognising the need practicality, Gardenheir’s apperral also appreciates the quality of fine materials and the simple pleasures to be gained from elegant styling with an outdoor edge.

Now you can combine the two noble arts of fashion and garden maintenance in one and not just simply cut the lawn, but cut a dash at the same time.

All of their clothing combines classic themes, heritage materials and bold styling to deliver clothing that looks as good as it performs.

Our pick of their overlays is this Chore Shirt, a heavier version of their Garden Stroll Work Shirt made from 10 oz pre-washed, pre-shrunk Japanese cotton drill. It’s therefore built for work, sturdy but comfortable but roomy enough to be super-comfortable and perfect for layering over extra layers.

It’ll shrug off dirt when you need it to, or effortlessly deliver a stylish, fuss-free, outdoors-inspired look when you don’t.

Fjällräven Övik Wool Padded Jacket

Fjallraven are the up and coming, on-trend, eco outdoor wear company that thanks to their sustainable credentials are so hot right now.

You’ve probably seen their logo on their eco-friendly backpacks but all of their clothing is made with sustainability in mind, and that doesn’t just mean responsibly sourced materials, Fjallraven are big on allowing you to care for and repair your clothing, selling kits, buttons and spares for you to patch it up and keep it being loved.

Our pick of their workwear is their Ovik wool padded jacket. Sharing a similar smart/functional styling to the Barbour and Ovis jackets above its in dark navy, black and (Barbour-style) olive with plenty of collar and cuff fastenings for wrapping up warm or going loose and informal.

There’s plenty of storage on board with large bellows pockets that open two ways – top for storage, side for hands, and a large chest pocket. There’s also a large lining pocket with a secure zip.

If you want the look and the durability of a classic with all the eco of the Fjallraven brand then this is the one for you.

Scruffs Mens Water Resistant Worker Fleece

Getting the bulk versus agility balance right, this second Scruffs option aims to keep the wind and water off your back while still allowing plenty of movement. Though technically a fleece with a low profile outline, it is water-resistant and it’s quick drying fabric means that if you do get caught in the wet it’ll be ready to head out again after a break.

Wear on top of a T-shirt late summer to autumn then bolster with woolens below to make the perfect weather-proof top layer.

Elasticated cuffs and an adjustable hem mean that you can really ‘lock yourself in’ and keep drafts out and a healthy array of pockets – with top quality YKK zips – make it as practical as it’s good looking.