Try the cafe from breakfast to Sunday lunch , ask for Mark the cafe manager always willing to help…read moreall the girls are patient, nothing is too much trouble , oh ask louis to cook your breakfast I'm doing weightwatchers and he has been very helpful. The main wyevale garden centre offers so much it's hard to list . Always an array of colours a bountiful haven for any budding gardener , or just to look at .

Property is so expensive in Brighton that what would be considered a bin yard up North is…read moreconsidered a spacious front or back garden here! Being lucky enough to have both a spacious front and back garden, I am always on the look out for gorgeous new plants. I usually buy my lavendar and herbs from Flower City round the corner and go to Wyevale Garden Centre for everything else. It's expensive but the stock is always varied and extremely good quality. They have plant pots, soil, gardening furniture and seeds inside and a massive selection of seasonal and perennial flowers, plants and fruit trees inside. I've bought everything from rosemary, thyme and chilli plants to dahlias and rose bushes and everything has grown beautifully. In fact, if I could afford it I'd go back tomorrow and order fig and olive trees for next spring.

We recently moved to a house where the garden looks like something out of a Tarzan movie…read more Over-grown brambles, over-hanging trees and weeds everywhere so we have invested in a few bits and pieces to get it looking a bit better. I would highly advise you to head to this shop before going to somewhere like Homebase as they have a much better selection here and the equipment is of a much higher standard. They cater for professionals as well as domestic gardeners too. We bought an excellent hedge trimmer for £80 and the staff were really helpful with advice and tips. They also had loads of hand tools and a really good selection of chainsaws which I'm saving up for next!

The Moulsecoomb Forest Garden and Wildlife Project started as just one allotment, tended by a group…read moreof like-minded people. Over the past few years the project has expanded, and is now a nonprofit company, with the operation covering multiple plots. Located on a leafy bank behind the Moulsecoomb train station, the project benefits from the work of many volunteers, who get involved in all sorts of activities, including organic gardening, woodland gardening and even odd bits of building too! The project prides itself on its unusual approaches and innovative techniques- they strive to create a garden where different habitats and gardening styles can coexist harmoniously. What's wonderful about the Forest Garden, is that you truly feel a million miles away from the chaos and urban sprawl of Moulsecoomb and Brighton. You can step off the train straight into another green-fingered world! The project readily welcomes volunteers and they run 'no experience necessary' days, so no the inexperienced need not worry. You will receive seasonal veggies for your efforts! The Forest Garden work closely with the Alternative Centre for Education and pupils at risk of exclusion, to try and reduce antisocial behaviour and produce positive change. They also provide produce to low-income families and the elderly. This is a really inspiring community project, that is, in my opinion, too little known about!

There's nothing inspirational about Homebase. I'd never…read moredream of buying a kitchen or bathroom for them. Their styles are too plain and cookie cutter for my taste. Likewise, their plant and garden section never knocks me off my feet. If I need to get paint or polyfilla however, I know I'm onto a winner. They also mix paints in store so if they haven't got the exact shade you want on the shelf, it's well worth thumbing through the colour strips and choosing one to get made up. Price-wise, Homebase is about the same as B&Q give or take a few pennies.

As Homebase stores go, this one stands out from the rest. We'll laid out, as are the others, but…read moreit is the staff that makes the difference here. So helpful, pleasant, cheerful and obviously enjoy working there. The store always has some items for sale., and always at a good mark down....recommended.

I've never owned a bonsai tree. Given that my fingers are very far from being green, it's always…read moreseemed a little pointless, as I cannot keep normal plants alive, let alone a notoriously tricky bonsai tree. However, for some reason I would really like one - and I often wander past this place considering whether to bite the bullet and get one. I'm almost tempted now, as I actually went in the other day and had a chat to the staff - they're incredibly helpful and a great source of advice - I'm wondering if I might be able to keep one of these things alive with their help?

If you've ever fallen for a bonsai and tried to keep one, you will know that they are as picky as…read moreVictoria Beckham at a restaurant. They are beautiful but difficult to tend to without killing them. So this shop is incredible- filled with thriving bonsai of all sizes and ages. It's also incredibly useful if you are a bonsai owner because they happily offer advice and will prune your tree to keep it's lovely shape for a small fee. There are some stunning examples here, often well over thirty years old- another reason it's so briiliant to own one but a commitment- some older still. It may look like a pricey shop, and some larger, older trees are expensive, but they also have very reasonably priced examples for novices. They are very helpful in their too.

Situated on a quiet stretch of Ditchling Road, I only noticed Rose Florist for the first time last…read moreweek. The shop was closed at the time but when I went back yesterday I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of different flowers and plants on offer. Run by a married couple, Rose is clearly a neighbourhood florist that caters to locals. In the time I was browsing, I noticed three or four other customers buying bunches of daffodils and other spring flowers. I was wondering if anyone ever bought the more exotic and unusual flowers inside when the phone rang and I heard orders coming through for bouquets! Having looked at the company's website I've noticed they offer flower arrangements for birthdays, weddings, civil partnerships, special occasions and funerals. They also stock and deliver plants, balloons, champagne, chocolate and for sugar-rush lovers, sweet hampers.

I discovered this florist about a year ago, noticing the beautiful display outside of the shop. I…read morewalked over, and to my surprise discovered that 'Rose' sell a very good selection of flowers, ranging from as little about £2, right up to the more elaborate arrangements costing far more "elaborate" prices. I like that they have so many different flower combinations, rather than just having very basic bunches for the cheaper flowers. The inside is unbelievable, wall to wall flowers and plants surrounding you from floor to ceiling. There is in unending choice suitable for every occasion. If you're left unsure then the gentlemen florist is a very good guide, always happy to offer advice.

I'm increasingly becoming a bigger fan of the London Road Open Market, particularly now I've…read morediscovered the existence of this rather nice 'Market Flower Shop'. Located in the heart of the market, you'll find the prices to be considerably lower than bigger florists in the centre of town. Selling a range of flowers and plants (a number of which are home grown on a nearby allotment), you can pick up a host of bargains here. The lady working here was extraordinarily friendly; I went to buy a pot plant, only for here to recommend another one because it would be better provided by the weather.

Its rare I give a 5 rating. This shops wares greets the visitor to the open market. Its a great…read moreambassador for this area. The plants are very cheaply priced. The quality is as good as any flower retail outlet. In such a small area the divercity of plants is high. There is always a helpful member of staff on hand. The staff seem very caring for their wares. Its simply a interesting place to touch and smell whats on offer.