I have driven past The Vale Stables and their signs indicating logs and manure for sale many times…read morethinking it was just a horse stables. It may well be this but when I walked past I was overjoyed to find a little garden centre that looks like it rose up from ground and grew out of the trees that hide it. It exists mostly outside with a lady, a cat and dog huddled round a wood burner, running the place. There are plants everywhere, planted in boots, old toilets, amongst carved pieces of wood, as well as in pots, for sale. Recently I picked up a pot of thyme for £1.50 but there were loads of herbs and flowers I could have chosen from. I also wanted some trays and pots to plant my seeds in so I asked if they had any. The lady told me they had loads and to help myself from the pile for no charge! This beats sterile and expensive landscaped garden centres I have tried to avoid since my childhood any day.

The Vale Stables is truly a hidden gem…read more A lovely rambling space packed with seasonal plants of all kinds, where the owners can be found warming their hands on a crackling wood-burner in all weathers - inspiring you to the outdoor life. They sell beautiful healthy plants which are so much cheaper than at any local garden centre. You can also buy wood and good quality manure in the autumn. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming. The owner, Gwen, and her daughter, have a wealth of gardening knowledge and will go out of their way to help and advise. My 3 year old boy loves to visit and see the hens, the dog and the river while I browse the plants on offer and soak up the atmosphere.

This is a massive treasure that I am about to share to everyone and anyone who may stumble across…read more(or indeed search for) this review. On a cycle ride one fine summer day, through the Meanwood Valley Trail I came out of Meanwood woods to find a large cottage at its end. There was a poly-tunnel in the garden a geese squawking up a riot. Here I found the smallest garden centre you'll probably ever come across. There are bedding plants, compost, logs and the usual goods of a garden centre but on a much smaller scale. Sometimes there's an overspill of veg from the owners garden (such as pumpkins in October, which are available for purchase but my favorite are the free-range eggs. In a city it is so hard to come across fresh, free-range eggs that it really cheers me up when I go and get 6 for a pound from Sam. Simple things... A Christmas special that some may be interested in is the availability of free-range, turkey and goose. More expensive than at a supermarket but if you're prepared to head out this way then that probably won't bother you. P.S. opening times depend on someone being there which isn't always guaranteed

Since moving to Leeds, I have lived in a total of seven houses and flats. The Plant Shop has helped…read moreme in decorating them all. The first four were student accommodation so we were in definite need of some flora and fauna to disguise the mess and chaos. A stack of empty beer cans looks far more respectable with a cyclamen watching over them with an air of mature authority! The people who run the stall are helpful and knowledgeable, directing me when I have needed indoor or outdoor plants and educating me in the benefits of plant food. On asking for some plants that did not require too much care or attention, I was swiftly guided towards some hardy foliage, with a knowing look. The larger plants in particular are much cheaper than the ones of a similar size in chain stores. There is a fantastic range, which includes fresh herbs, cacti and many other leafy beauties. We got a Christmas tree with a fantastic shape and height this year, for a very reasonable fee. This stall has a gorgeous old cash till which must be an antique, an attractive feature to notice. All in all, a great place to stock up on a lovely bit of vegetation to brighten up your house.

Surrounded by so many florrists in the market, it is quite a breath of fresh air to see a stall…read morededicated entirely to plants. Selling many different types (and I do not claim to be an expert in this field) ranging from very small to medium/large plants, if you are after anything massive, you might want to go elsewhere, or ask the owner if he can get hold of what you're after. Greenery always brightens up any atmoosphere, and The Plant Shop certainly does that. If you need any plant advice, don't hesitate to ask the owner. I think I may have just saved one of my plants at home!

I don't know why but I love little DIY shops like this. As you walk in you can't help gawping…read morearound at all the bits and pieces for a good few minutes before you remember why you are there. There is not an inch of free wall space here. The walls and beams across the ceiling are carpeted in little packets of useful things. It is neat though, and very easy to navigate around. The man behind the counter looks exactlt like you would imagine a DIY shop owner to look like in Yorkshire. In his checkered shirt and big smile he looks very much in his element. He will be able to tell you exactly what you need to solve all sorts of household hiccups. They sell things like nails, tape measures, bleach, painting equipment, pet products, bins, kitchen ware, gardening goods, and electrical bits and bobs. If you have just moved to Leeds and are near Burley Road it would be a good idea to pop past if you need anything for the finishing touches to your new pile of bricks.

This charmingly retro-looking D.I.Y. shop spills its wares out onto the pavement inviting you to…read moreweave among them and examine the products on offer, including brooms, mops, buckets and plants. St. Anns D.I.Y. is quite small but well-stocked - every available space is packed full of D.I.Y. essentials. There is also a pet food section and a wide range of plant pots of different shapes and sizes. They also cut keys, which can become an essential service for the many student houses of Leeds what with 5+ bunches of keys flying about bound to get lost on a wild night out. The bloke behind the counter was very helpful on my last visit...so if you're at all clueless when it comes to rawl plugs and drill bits then you can rest assured you'll be pointed in the right direction.

I think you can tell the class of a place when you wander by the window and the displays are so…read morecared for that they edge onto the street. This is certainly a flower shop that does more than sodden bruised bunches akin to a back street market. I think it's becoming my phrase of choice, but what you pay for is usually what you get. £3 for pizza means stomach ache the next day. £3 for flowers means they have already begun to wilt and won't last a few days. On the other hand you can spend £30 on flowers and have them last for a month and make that special someone swell with surprise/gratitude. Cheesy as it is, it works, and this is the place to achieve that. Care and effort goes into every bunch and display, with knowledgeable and helpful staff, to make sure you get exactly what you want - even if you don't know what you want yourself!

Anastasia Flowers has a large shop for a florist with a huge variety on display, from cheerful,…read moresimple yet pretty bunches of roses to beautifully-crafted bouquets. Their bouquets show real confidence and artistry without looking OTT or trying too hard to impress. They somehow appear stylishly simple yet beautifully elaborate at the same time...I think it's their careful choice of colour, often pairing completely different flowers of the same colour together, which looks attractive and striking, or knowing when they have just enough variety in a bouquet. Bouquets start at about £25 but for this price you know you're buying quality and considered design. The shop also sells some gorgeous pot plants and gifts, such as soaps, candles and vases. They specialise in wedding floristry and also sell award-winning wedding cakes, come of which are on display in the shop and look rather impressive. Anyone looking for a quality florist will likely be impressed by Anastasia Flowers and those looking specifically for flowers or a cake for a wedding should be in safe hands.

The Holly Bush Centre in Leeds is a conservation centre and home to BTCV(British Trust for…read moreConservation Volunteers) of Leeds - a charity focused on conserving nature in our country and education people about this. You can volunteer at the centre if you are looking for some experience before going into conservation as your career, or get some qualifications here. I have done a few days volunteering with a friend who works here. His job involved going into schools and making nature gardens for the children to play in, appreciate and learn about wildlife and nature in. It is really important for kids to learn things about nature especially in the city if they don't have the countryside around them. It is a charity so anyone can make donations to them.

Finally a florists that isn't so expensive I begin to consider cutting flowers from my neighbour's…read moregarden in the night, instead of buying them, when I want to send some as a gift! Bartle's Florists is very affordable - probably because its situated in the Merrion Centre outside Morrisons and the super-cheap home ware store - but still has beautiful flowers. I saw a lovely bunch of white lily's for less than £20 last time I wandered by. They do a delivery service that can get flowers to your loved ones in 3 hours (presuming they live less than 3 hours away)! Perfect for any accidently forgotten anniversary or birthday. They also sell balloons to add an extra touch to your gift.

Say it with some flowers, go on spoil your partner, friend or yourself. I'm not the biggest green…read morefingered person you'll ever meet but I do like a nice bunch of hand-tied flowers or spring tulips, lush! Bartles Florist is a good place to find such little packages of flowery delights. It's an independent family business and has been since 1969. Of course they are on the Inter Flora band wagon so that makes delivery no problems whatsoever. Every occasion is well catered for and they even have a fair trade flower section. Now a mental note should be taken here from Mr future Melissa, I really really like the Sunflowers. Got it? The staff are nice and helpful and if you really struggle between your Birds of Paradise and Azaleas, they'll be more than willing to help you out. You can also match them up with choccies or Champagne and you'll even get same day delivery if you get your orders in before 2pm. So go on dig deep and enjoy.