'Willpower & sheer idiocy combine in harmony'
IT'S not just plants that make a garden - there's art, furniture, outdoor clothing and tools.
Artists and sculptors usually take along smaller objects to flower shows, as they've more chance of selling them.
Traders also offer discounts at shows, so if you're looking for art or furniture, here's where you'll get bargains - it'll cover your entry fee.
A garden lover's paraphernalia
My recycled tyres table from Ian Gill, bought for £30 at the Harrogate Spring Flower Show.
Wool and bracken peat-free compost from Dalefoot Composts.
Backdoorshoes
Lightweight, slip-on mules in bright photographic patterns, in women's, men's and now kids' sizes - new designs.
Funky Laundry
Large laundry/storage bags, shoppers and cool bags with sturdy zips and bright photographic patterns.
Carryon Clothing
Fashionable and functional outdoor clothing for women and children, made in Beamish, County Durham since 1977.
Briers
Collections based on royal palaces, plus a kids' Gruffalo range. Hemingwaydesign has created a great collection.
Town & Country
Gloves, wellies and accessories. My favourites are the see-through macs and comfort grip secateurs in bright colours.
Ethel Gloves
Gardening gloves designed for women, from traditional leather to anti-microbial vegan bamboo gloves, with more stretch.
www.wayfair.co.uk/Ethel-Gloves-C531680.html?redir_sku=FND1002
Mechanix Gloves
Men's and women's heavy-duty reinforced Mechanix gloves, women's prices range from £17-£24, sold by Rollins.
GARDEN IN STYLE
From top, coat & hat, Carry On Clothing; shopper, Funky Laundry; cat print clogs, Backdoorshoes; gloves & secateurs, Town & Country; Gruffalo kids' wellies, Briers.
TOOLS
Bulldog Tools
British-made garden tools since 1780, offering a lifetime guarantee; new premier range launched.
Karcher
A new range of watering equipment, including hoses, spray lances, sprinklers and accessories.
Nether Wallop Trading Co.
Traditional tools and gadgets, beautifully made out of sustainable materials.
EGO
Cordless tools with powerful and environmentally friendly lithium ion batteries.
PEST CONTROL
STV
Pest control, advice and products: ultrasonic cat scarers, ant deterrents, copper bands for slugs.
Vitax
Organic Slug Gone Wool Pellets & Organic 2 in 1 Plant Invigorator, with natural oils/emulsifiers.
Pest-Stop
Anti-pest devices, including pet repellents using ultrasonic and electromagnetic waves.
SUNDRIES
O'Keeffe's Working Hands
ONE of the top handcreams in the US, for severely cracked skin. Available on Amazon.
Hotbin Composting
Hot compost bin that super heats food and waste to 60°C. Mature compost in 90 days.
Dalefoot Composts
Peat-free compost made from sustainable bracken and sheep's wool, including seed compost.
Crown Garden Products Ltd
Innovative support products, including the portable Grow Bag Frame, all UK made.
Plant Supports (UK)
Steel supports, from spirals to obelisks, the range is comprehensive and affordable.
SteadyPost
Install fences without concrete or unsightly fixings using FenceFins - plant right up to the post.
Rock and Stone York Ltd
Hard landscaping, garden ornaments, water features, furniture, good salvage and reclamation.
Farbrook Farm
Wild bird food, quirky nest boxes, feeders, gift packs and advice on looking after feathered friends.
WoodBlocX
Building blocks to make raised beds, walls and ponds, from sustainably-sourced timber.
Garden & Wood
Antique garden tools, furniture and ephemera; cafe furniture imported from the Continent.
Irrigatia
Weather-responsive smart irrigation controller using solar power to power it.
FURNITURE & ART
Jonart Design
Elegant metal furniture in various colours and designs, for the garden or conservatory, plus accessories and wind sculptures.
Ian Gill Sculpture
Award-winning metal sculptor making contemporary works, including giant cherries - and my recycled tyre table, pictured.
Mark Stoddart
Fabulous bronze and glass limited edition sculptures/tables - especially the hippo. One for the lottery winners, but lovely to dream.
Twigtwisters
Willow sculptures made to order, in either living or dead wood, all sizes, including life-size horses and Aslan the lion.
Lily Sawtell Design
Bronze resin and clay statues, planters, wall plaques and fountains. Check out Painted Ladies planters Gladys, Doris and Mavis!
James Doran-Webb
Life-size statues of animals made from driftwood from James's base in the Phillipines - we're talking five-figure sums here!
Thompson's Garden Emporium
Antique, vintage and restored horticultural and agricultural ornaments, based in a village just outside Durham City.
www.thompsonsgardenemporium.co.uk
Cadix
Ingenious and lightweight planters and sculptures for the home and outdoors under the umbrella brand Capi. Check online for stockists.
Gardeco and Supamoss
Wood-burning stove, chimineas, fire bowls and bio-ethanol burners. Supamoss is a biodegradable alternative to sphagnum moss.
Dunelm
Known mainly for soft furnishings, it also has a gardening furniture and bio-ethanol outdoor fires range - only in season.
Garden Wants
Plant Continuity Plans: for 12 monthly payments, you get ready-planted seasonal replacements to keep containers fabulous with little effort.