Little green fingers: top ten children’s gardening accessories

It’s never too early to encourage children into the garden. Most little ones love to have their own little plot or couple of tubs, and can help with every part of the process from adding compost, weeding, digging and planting to watering and harvesting. Brightly coloured, easy to grow flowers such as marigolds are perfect for children to start with, or you could try edible crops such as rocket, strawberries or tomatoes.

We’ve picked out our top ten gardening accessories to help your budding Monty Don off to a flying start.

1. Gilly purple kids’ PVC apron, Ragged Rose

Gardening’s not exactly a clean activity, but you can make some effort to protect their clothes! This apron is designed for girls aged between 4 and 8 years old – simply grab a damp cloth and wipe it clean. £12, available from Ragged Rose.

2. Rose trowel and fork set, Burgon & Ball

Ideal for older girls is this trowel and fork set with hardwood handles. The trowel is engraved with a Gertrude Jekyll quote: ‘The love of gardening is a seed once sown, that never dies’. £23, available from The Contemporary Home.

3. Little gardening tool set, Annabel James

For younger children, this trowel and fork set might be small but it’s very functional, made of steel with painted wooden handles.  They’re ideal for weeding, planting – or just making mud pies. £14.95, available from Annabel James.

4. Mr McGregor’s watering can and apron, Getting Personal

Bring Beatrix Potter’s brilliant tale to life in your garden with this dove grey watering can, cotton apron, a pair of Briers durable coated children’s garden gloves, a rabbit-shaped soap and some seeds. The black apron has a cream neck strap, front pocket and waist band. Was £14.99, now £12.99, available from Getting Personal. 

5. Bird design twine in a tin, The Contemporary Home

Children will love the bright colours of this bird design storage tin, and there’ll be no more searching for the end of the string. £10, available from The Contemporary Home. 

6. Orla Kiely garden tool box, Black by Design

For older children, this stylish garden tool box from Orla Kiely is perfect for keeping all those bits and pieces together so they don’t get lost. A must have for any budding Charlie Dimmock. £40, available from Black by Design.

7. Woodland party melamine dinner set, Sophie Allport

This seven piece dining set features hedgehogs, squirrels, butterflies and rabbits having a party in the woods, and means keen gardeners don’t even have to come inside for meals! £24, available from Sophie Allport.

8. Personalised crate with seeds, Plantabox

An ideal way to get children growing in the garden, this bright personalised planting crate comes complete with your choice of ‘Little Growers’ seeds from Unwins, making the perfect introduction to growing for the next generation of gardeners. £26.95, available from Plantabox.

9. Roald Dahl water bottle, Becky + Lolo

This water bottle is perfect for staying hydrated when you’re hard at work in the garden. Featuring Quentin Blake’s characteristic drawings from The Hungry Crocodile. £8.98, available from Becky + Lolo.

10. Little watering can set, Annabel James

This pack contains a mini watering can, suitable for little people to carry, and packet of sunflower seeds with a paper tape measure to help keep tabs on the growing plants. £14.95, available from Annabel James. 

By Sara Walker.