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Spring has officially sprung, and for city dwellers (particularly New Yorkers!), the arrival of the new season brings with it the much-needed color and nature boost that we’ve all been waiting for. Another reason we’re particular excited about spring is the 2024 Met Gala—held on the famed first Monday, which this year welcomes a new costume exhibit that aims to breathe new life into fashion that is so antiquated or fragile that it has sat dormant for decades (and, in some cases, centuries).
Over 250 objects and garments will be on display in an exhibit titled Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion, all united through common iconography related to nature—a metaphor for fashion’s fragility and cyclical nature. The Met Gala’s theme of “The Garden of Time” reflects this, and while not all of us may be making it to the iconic event, we’ve found a way for everyone to participate: through gardening, of course.
Whether you’ve been meticulously planning your summer vegetables throughout the winter months or are just picking up gardening as a new hobby, finding the right tools to cultivate the perfect garden can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and done the research needed to ensure those summer tomatoes turn out just right, and that your hydrangeas will bloom better than ever before.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite gardening tools for everyone from the cut flower enthusiast to the balcony vegetable farmer.
Cut Flower Enthusiast
A carefully-planned flower garden takes patience and knowledge. Whether you’re aspiring to become a flower farmer or just grow a few window sill blooms, here are a few tools that both inspire and are functional. If you need a gardening refresher or a few new tips, there’s the much-followed flower farmer Erin Benzakein’s new book Discovering Dahlias. And if you just need a little upgrade, a chic vase to hold your blooms is never a bad idea.
Urban Gardener
A lack of outdoor space doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of your balcony, window sill or even your fire escape to grow everything from herbs to petunias. For the urban gardener, functional yet beautiful tools are key since you likely won’t have a gardening shed to hide away the gardening shears. A sculptural watering can doubles as a decorative object, while an LED garden brings the outdoors in.
Avid Gardener
The avid gardener likely has some favorite tools already, so consider trying something new for the plants this season—like a new set of bird feeders, to attract beneficial wildlife that supports the existing ecosystem and brings life to the garden. Or treat yourself to a chic sun hat, perfect for keeping the day’s bright rays at bay during the morning weeding. A durable set of gloves is perfect for protecting hands during a bountiful harvest day.
Novice Gardener
If you’re new to gardening, successfully growing anything (and keeping it alive) can seem daunting at first. Fear not: everything from starter seeds to plant food will help you feign a green thumb until you have things down pat. Cute gardening gloves and artisanal flower pots will make your journey towards an expert gardener that much more enjoyable.
