I was looking for a piece of rope to make a tree swing and of course like most things you can get one ready made. Ok it does cost £9.99, which is more than a length of rope from Urchin. But at least it can be easily hung on a branch and has a ready - made foot rest, only problem being it doesn't say what weight it takes and our family may be Sleight by surname but not by size.

Posted by Carole

We've just acquired an allotment share, in other words Ross has read the half hour gardener book and is suitably fired up for growing. So we need some of these plant labels from the enticing website The Lazy Environmentalist. These labels come in packs of 5 for £6 and are made from casualty oak trees, what a great new lease of life. In fact the site has a lazy feel, not many products, but those that are featured are well selected and beautifully presented.

Posted by Carole

Should we ever get to eat outdoors again, then these Eva Solo oil lamps, would make a stylish table light. They cost £32.99 each and have a stainless steel top which can be removed to refill with oil. It's worth browsing Amaroni as they have quite an eclectic selection of products for everyone and everywhere in your home.

Posted by Carole

As I'm heading off to Lewes to visit a friend tomorrow, it felt right to mention a local French garden furniture company called Parterre. Forget the wrought iron whitewashed look, they stock an incredible range of vibrant, colourful and creative furniture. Take this Rendez Vous laser cut set of chairs for £380 from the Designer Pascal Mourgue. It's rice grain perforations play with the light on the chairs and 70cm Dia. low table. The range also includes a 110cm Dia Round table and a 160cm x 90cm Rectangular table, both with plain tops. Buy this and get your friends talking.

Posted by Carole

Well the suns out, so grab yourself this fresh lime and raspberry
picnic set reduced from £25 to £12.50 from Crocus. They also have lots of reduced furniture and some fantastic architectural sail shades. Given the current food prices, you might want to use thier expert section to get advice on what to plant this Autmn.

Posted by Carole

Well this has to be a first, a rustic hosepipe holder from the very practical useful stuff company. Their site is packed with great gardening gifts and some well priced picnic ware, should the summer ever happen. This £12.50 creation is a great antidote to the green plastic holder which currently graces every garden.

Posted by Carole

Heals have got a stunning range of outdoor furniture for summer, including this Paradis parasol for £125. It measures 180cm, has a steel frame and the cotton parasol also comes in brown. While you're there take a look at their galvanised love seats, very modern and it would make a fantastic wedding gift.

Posted by Carole

Well this steel Penbury gazebo has definate attitude and presence. It costs £105.99 and is from that massive online supermarket Amazon, who also have a lot of offers on garden tools right now. It can be a bit overwhelming when your search brings up thousands of possible entries, but then again virtual shopping is a lot faster and cheaper than traipsing the high street -so log on.

Posted by Carole

It's on a day like this that you think it's time to give those herbs another go. Ross has armed us with hundreds of packets of seeds including some asparagus bulbs which will possibly bear fruit in 3 years time. So if you want to avoid disappointment, then log onto Green Garden Herbs and read their top ten desirables. This gorgeous French tarragon starts life as a packet of foil fresh seeds for £1.50 per pack including p &p. If you're in North Yorkshire then make sure you make a detour to their 5 acre nursery where they grow over 400 varieties of aromatic, culinary, medicinal and ornamental herbs.

Posted by Carole

Now there's no excuse to kill your plants with over-watering thanks to these new self-watering wet pots from Garden Boutique. You get 3 pots for £19.95, then simply pour water in and let nature take it in as and when needed. Perfect for those of you who are away a lot or like me have a penchant for killing herbs. Garden Designer Alice Bowe has a great range of well chosen garden products from cute vintage table vases to reclaimed garden furniture. And if you can't find it on her site then give Alice or Daisy a call and they'll find it for you - now there's a challenge.

Posted by Carole

It pains me to say but this wooden TP double swing from Tescos is one of the nicest I've found. It costs £99.97, has adjustable rope lengths and ground stakes which must be concreted in. It's suitable for 3-8 year olds who weigh 45 kg per ride - I guess that means I won't be able to use it.

Posted by Carole

I just love the whole life that the Graham and Green catalogue presents. As that is a mere dream, I'll buy a part of it with these lovely hand made bamboo lamps from £13.50 to £36.50. While you're there, look lovingly at their dusty grey French garden furniture. It all screams wine and sun to me.

Posted by Carole

If you want to know what's in and out in the plant world, then visit online or if you're in Little Venice, the famous Clifton Nurseries. They'll design your garden, source the plants and give you specialist advice on their care and maintenance. Of course you can also get your containers to pop them into and the seat you can view their growth from. Not cheap, but truly inspirational and aspirational.

Posted by Carole