THE MODERN MINT BLOG
Lovely to see one of our favourite companies trending on the BBC today…. Hiut Denim Jeans.
Not only do they make brilliant jeans, but they have been a massive inspiration to us.
Their philosophy, to make the best jeans they can, not the most jeans they can, reminds us all the time that at Modern Mint, it is okay not to sell the same tools and products as the garden centres.
Because we don’t like those tools. We like these tools….
These tools are the ones that will last you, that are sharp and strong yet light, and will be something you love to use every single day in the garden.
The best tools, not the most popular tools.
Having coveted a pair of Hiut Denim jeans for awhile, we finally ordered one pair at the start of the year.
We waited while they were made.
Since they have arrived, back in March, we have worn them pretty much every single day. We did not wash them, as is the way of raw denim, for 9 months.
This is what they looked like after 9 months without water, each and every crease made by my frame and movements…
They looked ready for a wash, didn’t they?
But the benefits of the No Wash Club are strong, particularly that you will have a pair of jeans that are unique to you.
When I did wash them, in lukewarm water in the bathtub, turned inside out so that the true indigo only lightly bled…. they looked like this…
Really loved where they have faded. Where they are creased. It is like looking at my copper tools after so much use….
So there you have it. A Welsh company making jeans is an inspiration for Modern Mint. Because they want to sell you something excellent, that will do you a great job. And last you a long time.
Sounds very much like the lovely items we have here on our shop!
Michael Gibson, New York Topiary Art!
In the New York Times earlier this year was a lovely interview with Michael Gibson, who makes topiary and gardens in New York. The article is here but you may not have access… however, search the internet, find it and have a read. It is great! His philosophy of pruning is especially worth it… Sacred geometry in topiary? Yes please! What a phrase! I think (and speak) of balance, of major and minor, of leaf volume… but sacred geometry might well make it into my topiary teaching lexicon! And the idea of directional trimming? I realise I do this, but …
Topiary Library
I do a lot of teaching topiary. I had the opportunity from my mentor, Charlotte Molesworth, to work on her garden and experiment and test techniques and generally try making shapes without the worry of failure, or being fired, or being sued and run out of business for getting it wrong. This opportunity was essential (along with Charlotte’s insistance that pruning standards had to be high!) in becoming better at topiary. When I look around the world at our cultural vitamins, what we see in the media day in and day out, I see the stupidest and grossest of people …
Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue
With Chris Poole of the European Boxwood and Topiary Society we visited Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue in Rutland. Do you know it? Amazing place! Chris and I were teaching a topiary workshop in order to give local people the skills and technique, and tenacity! to help with the pruning of the avenue and elevate it to something even more special than it already is. Read more about the workshops here. We hope to run a further workshop in September 2026, as well as teach an advanced course too. Check the teaching page through the year as it will be updated …