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It’s May! The last month of Autumn and the trees will soon be bare. The rain comes more frequent, as the cold winter is ushered in. Well, Autumn is a great time for planting. The air is cool, the soil is still warm and the frequent rain has increased the moisture in the soil. All these factors help new plants establish good root growth, and then slows down in winter. So, pick up your garden gloves, trowels, buffwear etc. and let's get dirty. Autumn is also the best time to start transplanting any shrubs or trees to make new plants from cuttings. Plants can only be safely transplanted during late autumn and winter when no longer in active growth. For cuttings, cut approximately 10 cm from hardwood herbs or shrubs and remove the lower leaves. Dip the cut stem about an inch into hormone powder - this will stimulate root growth. Now prepare a pot with moist planting medium and plant the dipped stem cutting into the pot. Keep moist at all times (not wet) and sheltered from strong wind and the sun by covering the pot with a clear plastic bag, then see the results in Spring!   Autumn produces a lot of leaf matter which can be used as compost, nature's process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich soil. For good garden hygiene, clear a little way around the base of shrubs and trees to limit the build-up of mulch and matter around the stem or trunk area, especially in high rainfall areas, it will help prevent collar rot and other fungal attacks. Pruning stimulates new growth so it’s not a good idea to prune around this time of year, as plants are trying to go dormant. So as a general rule, do not prune if it's wet out there, as it spreads a lot of diseases. The best time to prune would be towards the last month of winter. Now after preparing the soil, it’s time to decide what fruits, veggies, flowers and herbs you would like to see in spring. Have you got your pots? The soil? The tools? Talking about pots and tools - here are some fantastic garden tools, pots and other items that I think you will find rather delightful. Get the kiddies on the weekend to join you, it’ll be fun. Oh yes, there are also some products featured that’ll keep you warm and comfortable while you're out there hanging around or having a Barbie  

Is there such a thing as a perfect gift? Well maybe, maybe not. Gift giving is tricky business. If you plan to surprise a loved one or work colleague or teacher, you spend many hours of your precious thoughts thinking about what 'suits' them. This is a great way to start only there's one thing that many of us generous gift givers forget: What we think might 'suit' a person is just our perception of them, not theirs. So, we end up giving them a special gift that they look at with genuine perplexity! Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash There is a way to avoid this embarrassing situation. Certain gifts are perhaps seemingly 'boring' but they're safe. Why are they safe? Well because they are either: 1. Consumable, ie they wear out or can be used up - they're only for time. Think a candle as opposed to a picture on the wall. 2. Easily re-giftable. Yes, the shocking truth is out - A recent survey has found that 68 percent of people claim they've regifted, or considered regifting, a holiday present. So there you have it. It's official. Having your well thought out gift re-gifted doesn't need to be considered an insult. Rather think of it like this: Your gift has saved somebody the pain of having to: a) Think of something b) Go out and buy it  c) Spend the money. Great job! Much better than giving someone an ugly picture they hate that they are obliged to show on their wall for years. (Because they wouldn't be able to risk re-gifting it would they? Here's our top suggestions to keep you at the top of your game with this season's gifting circus 1.  CANDLES Yes, the most obvious. Don't despair. you still get choices of style, colour and scent. AERY LIVING Botanical Green 200g Soy Candle - Green Bamboo For the Zen lover, packaged in a smart tube, this candle is handpoured into a beautiful moody green glass, perfect for any interior. GENTLEMENS HARDWARE Soy Wax Candle - Black Oak An on-trend minimalist concrete candle with soy wax blend. Masculine, woody scents, sure to please the sophistiqué in your circle of friends GENTLEMENS HARDWARE Soy Wax Candle - Smoke and Cypress Think Gentlemen's smoking rooms of the roaring 20's or a moody dark paneled study from 'My Fair Lady' HEATHCOTE & IVORY x MORRIS & CO Strawberry Thief Scented Candle For the unabashed anglophile. Featuring the famous 'Strawberry Thief' Graphics from the William Morris collection. A true piece of Art Nouveau. DURANCE Handcrafted Perfumed Candle - Cotton Flower Handmade using only the finest (of course) ingrediants in France. Durance is produced in the heart of the Drôme Provençale in Grignan, France. 2.  HANDKERCHIEFS Yes, really. It's one of those things where you always mean to grab some more but they are surprisingly obscure to find, especially decent quality handkerchiefs. Perfect for teachers, elderly or young, men or women, this one is always a winner especially if you want to be thought of every day. This little but powerful gift is the one to give. If the recipient doesn't use hankies they will definitely treasure this one for their gifting stash.   SEWARD Men's Executive Metal Boxed Handkerchiefs set of 5 - Navys Presented in a special gift box 5 hankies - one for everyday of the working week.     SEWARD Ladies Premier Handkerchiefs Set 3 - Ruby Set of 3 Ladies Hankies to brighten up anyone's day. packaged in a cute polka dot gift box.   SEWARD Men's Executive Handkerchiefs set of 5 - Black & White Graphics     3.  HAND CARE PRODUCTS Not everyone applies a daily moisturiser or specially formulated neck cream but there's one skincare product everybody uses: Hand wash. Young or old, male or female, everyone washes their hands and anyone that has ever been treated  to the luxury of a well made handwash will appreciate the superiority to that of a cheap mass produced supermarket version. This is a perfect example of a gift that can be disposed of after use or re-used with refills. Either way its a winner. COMPAGNIE DE PROVENCE Happy Rosemary Duo Dressed in green, and made with 97% naturally derived ingredients, its beautiful scent conjures up the south of France.Introducing Invigorating Rosemary! Fragrance: The revitalizing freshness of Rosemary is enhanced by notes of blood orange, and reveals hints of sage and lavender. COMPAGNIE DE PROVENCE Liquid Soap 500ml & Hand Cream 300ml Duo - Black Tea Black Tea Liquid Soap: 500ml Glass Bottle Naturally glycerined, Black Tea Liquid Soap gently cleanses the skin. Presented in a lacquered glass pump-bottle with a timeless and contemporary design, it uses the strength of contrast to create an inspiring graphic universe. It has a refined fragrance with notes of black tea and blackberry. Made in a cauldron according to tradition, as does its ancestor the authentic cube from Marseille, this liquid soap is elaborated with botanical oils. Black Tea Hand Cream: 300ml PET Bottle Enriched with shea butter, olive oil and vitamin E, this cream takes care of your hands. Its light and non greasy texture is quickly absorbed and leaves the skin soft, comfortable and gently perfumed. Presented in a PET resin pump-bottle with a timeless and contemporary design, it uses the strength of contrast to create an inspiring graphic universe. It has a refined fragrance with notes of black tea and blackberry.   HEATHCOTE & IVORY In The Garden Foaming Hand Wash 530ml Luxurious, instant foaming hand wash, with tea tree and lime essential oils, and glycerin, to refine, refresh and scent hands especially after gardening. 4.  HOSES WITH WALL MOUNTS This is a very versatile gift. How often do we use a hose? Probably more often than we realise. Watering the pot plants on the city balcony? Hosing the courtyard down just before guests arrive? Washing the car on Saturday morning? Hand watering the garden because its a relaxing thing to do after work? Hosing down the oven racks after they've sat outside for a week? Just having a cool hose on the wall as a protest against green (why green?) sensible hoses from the sensible hardware store. You can do better. GARDEN GLORY Reindeer Wall Mount Hose Holder - White Nothing says elegance like white right? This crisp and gorgeous white holder can either fulfill your creamy vision of your home or be that balancing factor an already colourful, wild garden. Whichever way you choose to style it, this hose holder is the icing on the cake – or should we say cream? Our crowning achievement and a perfect fit anywhere. GARDEN GLORY Coloured Garden Hose - White Snake THE WHITE SNAKE HOSE Who says a garden hose has to be dull? This egg shell white garden hose will give your facade and garden a sophisticated look. GARDEN GLORY Claw Wall Mount Hose Holder - Gold - Brass Grab on tight and brace yourself for a real show stopper. This wall mounted hose rack shaped as a falcon claw makes the biggest difference to your facade. No more scare crow looking garden equipment, you deserve jaw dropping pieces down to every detail. Put your hose in the claws of the one and you can count on a complete look. GARDEN GLORY Reindeer Wall Mount Hose Holder - Gold A real palace deserves its crown, and your home is your very own castle. And this statuesque piece leaves no one unimpressed. This hose holder will brighten up any façade and give the look of your garden hose that little extra. This is a golden hit that never gets old. A perfect fit anywhere. GARDEN GLORY Lion Pot Large - Black Hear me roar. Let it be heard who’s the boss of the house. This guardian lion is a majestic pot in just as powerful as indoors as outside in your garden keeping your home safe and sound. With a white matte finish made of terracotta and the detail of an ear piercing made of brass, this lioness exudes confidence and drama. Why be boring when you can be fierce? GARDEN GLORY Classic Wall Mount Hose Holder - Caribbean Kiss (Turquoise)   5.  WATER BOTTLES Everyone needs to drink, right? Buying water when you're out and about is so irritating, and expensive. Nobody wants to spend their hard earned cash on bought water in a cheap plastic bottle when you can have water from home in a smart fashion accessory.   CORKCICLE Stainless Steel Insulated Canteen 25oz (750ml) - Gloss Cobalt Crafted from stainless steel with proprietary triple insulation, this vacuum-sealed wonder bottle just doesn’t quit. It keeps your beverages cold for 9+ hours and hot for 3. Stays cold even longer with drinks containing ice — even out in the sun.    CORKCICLE x RIFLE PAPER CO. Stainless Steel Insulated Canteen 16oz (475ml) - Cream Lively Floral The Rifle Paper Co. merges playful prints and patterns with Corkcicle high-design, insulated Canteens and Tumblers. Ditch the cooler. Keep the cool. Enjoy your favourite cold or hot beverage, anytime, anywhere. Crafted from stainless steel with proprietary triple insulation.   6.  BIRD FEEDERS So the only requirement a person needs for a bird feeder is a place to put it. Even for an invalid, a bird feeder brings delight, there is something special about fostering a connection with wildlife and it can be enjoyed by young and old, sick or well. GARDEN GLORY Diamond Ring Bird Feeder Like a giant diamond ring floating in the trees this bird feeder brightens up any garden. By filling up the diamond with small bird feed you will attract the small birds in your neighbourhood. The elegant ring is made of brass and comes in a matte finish. The diamond is made of acrylic glass that can be removed when filling it with birdseed. EVA SOLO Bird Feeder Window Enjoy a myriad of feeding garden birds just outside your window. This elegant glass bird feeder will mount directly onto your window pane. With a small opening, perfect for small garden birds to settle on while they feed, this clear glass bird feeder provides an opportunity for up-close birdwatching.