Do you often catch yourself daydreaming about the latest garden trends? Then you’re in excellent (and incredibly fashionable) company, because the one and only Kate Moss is dreaming right along with you.
As in, yes, the quintessential poster girl of the 90s. Obviously.
While the supermodel’s name has long been synonymous with effortless bohemian fashion, striking kohl eyeliner, designer welly boots, and partying with rockstars, Kate recently shared that, since moving out of London and into the Cotswolds, she has become obsessed with making all of her garden ideas a reality.
‘I’ve got a membership to the garden centre and I go with my mum and we have the best time,’ said Kate during an episode of Desert Island Discs, adding that partying is ‘boring to me now’.
So, just like that, raves are well and truly out and garden makeovers are in. But, even when she’s potting, weeding, and generally getting down and dirty with her lawn maintenance, it seems Kate never strays far from her high-fashion roots.
What do I mean by this, you ask? Well, as per the supermodel-turned-amateur-gardener’s recent stint in the Financial Times’ How To Spend It section – in which she was invited to share the 32 items she can’t live without – Kate revealed her must-have gardening accessory: a set of €1,523 (£1,300) walnut and ‘saddle-stitched’ leather gardening tools from Lorenzi Milano (opens in new tab).
‘This is the chicest garden tool set,’ explains Kate.
‘It’s made from stainless steel and walnut wood with saddle-stitched leather handles, and includes a trowel, pruners, saw and hand cultivator.’
Now, while there’s no denying that this tool set has taken functionality to a whole new and ridiculously beautiful level, that price tag is eye-watering. Nay, not just eye-watering: it is *stomach churning*. Honestly, the blood drained from my face once I realised these four tools (count ‘em, four!) would cost more than my monthly mortgage repayment.
Still, though… I can‘t help but covet this supermodel-approved idea. And, thankfully, there are plenty of alternative options out there, for anyone who wants to keep all of their gardening tools to hand, à la Kate Moss:
Our pick of the best gardening tool kits
Burgon & Ball Sophie Conran Garden Tool Trug
This well-made garden trug is ideal for carrying around all of your gardening must-haves – and, while you have to buy your tools separately, it is still a more cost-effective option than Kate Moss’ preferred set!
Grenebo Nine-Piece Garden Tool Set
This nifty set from Amazon features a hand trowel, pruner, cultivator, transplanting trowel, hand rake, weeder, spray bottle, a pair of gardening gloves, AND an attractive floral-print carry bag to stash it all in.
Brown Waxed Canvas Gardening Bag
This waterproof waxed canvas and leather gardening bag features no less than eight pockets for all your favourite tools and gardening accessories. Which you will have to buy separately.
Personalised Gardening Tool Set – Willow Trug
Trust Etsy to deliver the goods: this personalised set of garden tools (think a fork, trowel, wooden markers, string and measuring dibber) comes encased in a handmade willow basket.
In the market for some heavy-duty gardening tools? This 8-piece set features pruning shear, trowel, tulip trowel, hand fork, and a cultivator, as well as gardening gloves, a kneeling pad and a stylish tote bag to keep everything together.
Royal Botanic Gardens 3-Piece Gardening Tool Gift Set
Developed by the horticultural team at Kew Gardens, this set – which features a garden fork, transplanting trowel and hand trowel – is made from Neverbend stainless steel and features leather straps and FSC-certified Ash handles for longevity.
Of course, if none of the above fit with your own personal aesthetic – because hey, we all have our Instagram grids to think about – then worry not: you could just as easily buy yourself a waterproof bag and fill it with the gardening tools you need. And then, whether you’re figuring out how to make your grass look greener or how to grow Wisteria in pots, you have everything to hand.
All that Kate Moss is really saying, to be honest, is that we shouldn’t just chuck our still-muddied gardening tools in an empty flowerpot at the end of the day when we’re done with them. Instead, we should clean them, sharpen them, and tend to them every bit as carefully as we do our gardens themselves – and, yes, display them proudly for all to see.
Even if, y’know, you haven’t dropped over a grand on yours.
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