A new leaf

It's tough sticking to organic principles when your plants are under attack. Conventional slug pullets are an eco no-no as they poison predators as well as pests, but the organic pellets in this Growing Success Advanced Slug Killer will not harm other animals. While strict organic gardeners may claim that you are bending the rules, save those lettuces, I say.

£2.49 for 250g; www.theonlinegardener.com

Sitting pretty

Update your garden furniture to include these traditional striped deckchairs, which are made in England from beech certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Hen & Hammock, a company that specialises in sustainable garden products, also sells hammocks (surprise, surprise), but you'll need appropriate supports - ideally trees - about 3m apart.

Deckchair £55, hammocks from £40; www.henandhammock.co.uk

Hungry for work

Although it's not time yet for pesky aphids to really do damage, it's good to be prepared. Go down the natural route and pre-order lacewing larvae from Green Gardener. The aphid predator, a superb alternative to chemical sprays, will arrive in mid-May in a cardboard sleeve, which you tap on to your tomatoes and tender seedlings. The larvae then hatch and feast on aphids, eating about 300 each in their lifetime.

£14.75 for 500; www.greengardener.co.uk

Light fantastic

Want to light up your garden in the evening? Then look no farther than this old-fashioned glass storage jar. When the sun goes down, a small solar panel emits energy collected during the day. Put it on a windowsill or in strong artificial light and it will glow warmly for several hours.

£19.99; www.nigelsecostore.com

Re-tyrement plan

We get through 500 million plants pots every year in the UK, so it makes sense to use recycled materials wherever possible. Improvising with yoghurt pots and old kettles is all very well, unless you

want your patch to look smart. In which case, I suggest investing in a couple of these pots. Made from recycled tyres, they are both stylish and green.

From £16; www.theurbangarden.co.uk

No butt about it

The current downpours make it hard to imagine, but summer water shortages could be just round the corner. Invest now in this sturdy water butt made from recycled plastic. A tube called a diverter will channel rainwater from your roof into the large green barrel. You then use a tap at the bottom to fill up your watering can for anything from gardening to washing the car. Rainwater is better for plants than tap water as it is warmer and free of chlorine.

£40; www.wigglywigglers.co.uk

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