gardening hamper

l21ynz

Hiya, sorry if this is the wrong place to post this.

My granddad will be 72 on the 23rd and I wanted to make him up a gardening hamper, he used to love going out and pottering about the garden and all my life hes grown his own veg, potatoes etc. They moved to a smaller house and obviously have a smaller garden but when my gran died in November 2007 he hasnt been out to do much.

Anyway what I wanted to ask was does anyone have any ideas what I could include in the hamper?

I just want him to be able to do something during the days when no-one is able to go and visit him, all he does is watch tv and take the dogs out.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Money_maker

Plant labels, string, fleece & pegs, ties.

Focus have packs of 10 potato tubers for £1.99. Get a first early variety, ok for ground or tub. If ground not suitable, get large pot (plastic so easy to manage).

Stainless steel or soft grip hand tools - fork, trowel, dibber etc. Decent secateurs. Strong gloves. Pack of bamboo canes (probably wont fit though). Couple of magazines - Grow your own, organic gardening etc.

Would be cautious of seeds. As he's on his own, I would suggest lettuce, tomato and runner or french bean.

Excellent idea of yours. The potatoes will be ready quickly and may reignite his love of gardening.

Money_maker

BTW, green fingered money saving thread may be of more help. Haven't a clue how to move questions though

wearside_2

What about a Mushroom Growing Kit. They seem easy to do......says he who has only actually read the instructions and had no practical experience:D

paul16o

What about some flower seeds or plug plants will get him out but wont have to worry about a bumper crop,
Or a journal jar with questions of how he used to garden or advice for you on how to grow certain things.
Gardening gloves or kneeling pad.

Pounland had some gardening things in.

l21ynz

Hiya thank you very much for all the ideas :T

3tabbycats

There are already loads of brilliant ideas posted...I did one for my dad for Christmas, I used a hanging basket as the hamper & gave him some tumbling tomato seeds which he'll hopefully plant in the basket eventually. I also put in some flower seeds, some mini plant pots, thick socks for those cold days in the garden. Then for some thing other than gardening bits I added a mini bottle of red wine, some shortbread biscuits (his faves) and a handful of chocolates.
I'm sure whatever you put in he'll love it, I was amazed at how pleased people were with the hampers just because a lot of thought & love went into them regardless of the contents!

greenpixey

I know you wanted suggestions what he could do during the days when no-one is able to go and visit him, but isn't is possible to spend some time gardening with him. Sometimes it is easier/more fun doing things together

l21ynz

greenpixey wrote: »

I know you wanted suggestions what he could do during the days when no-one is able to go and visit him, but isn't is possible to spend some time gardening with him. Sometimes it is easier/more fun doing things together

No I was wanting suggestions of what I could put into the hamper for him. We spend time together most days, taking my kids to the park, taking him shopping and what not, but I still have to have a break away aswell and he needs some days to himself, just not sitting watching the tv all day and it is something he could do on they days.

sodajazz

How about 'Magic Dirt' .... It's soil in a bag with verse attached


MAGIC DIRT
This is magic dirt - that's right!
An angel left it here last night,
She gave it to me, and I to you,
Cause you like to garden and I like you.
Just sprinkle some on fresh new ground,
Make a wish, toss it around,
Don't fret if there's too little for your space,
'cause it tends to spread all over the place!
And when your garden grows this year,
Folks will marvel, they'll come and peer.
And mention all the time you've spent,
They won't know your secret; it's heaven sent!


I found this during one of my web crawls I can't find the link now.