Christmas is just around the corner and the season of giving has officially commenced. Gardeners everywhere deserve something useful, and most would take a plant of any kind to add to their garden collection. Nothing makes me happier when a patron reaches out wanting to buy a tree, a shrub, a perennial or even a houseplant for a gardener in the family or a horticulturally inclined friend or co-worker. The gift of plant-life is always thoughtful, reminding the recipient of the gift giver year after year.
As I think of some of the favorite things in my own yard, I remember Christmases of the past and recall which year a certain maple came home, or that sweet container filled with bulbs, or that piece of garden art, and certainly when I received this nifty tool or that practical one. It is perfectly acceptable in my opinion to buy your own garden a present, as who would know better than you what is needed? Then again, some gentle hints at friends and loved ones may work as well, steering them towards the garden gems you desire. Here are some ideas to ponder, both for asking or giving…
The Hori Hori Knife: If you have not used one of these, you are simply missing out! A quality stainless-steel model is essential, complete with sheath and belt clip. I would coin this as THE multi-function tool for me, as one can weed, plant bulbs, divide, harvest root vegetables, cut vegetation (many have sharp serrated edges), use as a trowel to dig and much, much more. A close modern relative is the soil knife from Radius Tools. Every gardener needs one of these traditional, yet underutilized garden tools, both easy to carry and simple to use.
Statuary/Garden Art: No matter what taste each of us may have, there is a touch of garden art to make anyone smile. Whether glass, metal, wood or cast stone, this durable choice can express some style outdoors, or even indoors for that matter. My advice is to think of the recipient and adhere to their tastes, not yours. A small bird to add to a container on the porch, a unique plaque to hang, a fun mushroom for the shade garden, or even a larger piece of statuary for a bold statement. One of my favorite sources these days is Castart Studios, a manufacturer on Vancouver Island, that ships to many local garden centers providing unique, high quality and striking benches, bird baths, faces, and statuary of all genres.
Pruning Sharpener: Any gardener wielding dull pruners is both frustrated and making their life much harder than it needs to be in the garden. A simple sharpener from Zenport Industries (Model KS-06) is the way to solve this, inexpensively. This is a tool I use almost daily, quickly sharpening many types of pruners, but not saw blades. Every gardener, both new and experienced, needs one of these in their stocking.
Pocket Saw: Over the winter many gardeners commence with “the great prune", an annual tradition of tidying and shaping their deciduous landscape. In my own yard, I use my little pocket saw from Zenport Industries (Model SF-130) as much as anything for thinning out plants. For OCD gardeners like me, this saw makes accurate cuts in tight spaces and works very nicely in lieu of more cumbersome loppers. Very inexpensive again, it comes in a case complete with belt clip - absolutely Santa approved for tucking into the stocking.
For Houseplant Lovers: For both beginning and experienced indoor plant enthusiasts, here are a couple of suggestions that are sure to please. First, for those like me who perhaps neglect to water indoor plants like they should, the Sustee Aqua Meter is a savior. How simple is this… poke the small pen-sized stake into the pot and walk away. If it is blue then adequate moisture persists in the soil, but if it is white then it is time to irrigate. The perfect simple reminder for us that works with all plants and soil types and needs no batteries. Second, accessorize some of your indoor specimens by going vertical. Adding a cool moss pole or fancy small indoor trellis will add some character to plants that trail or climb. Lastly look for a classy, glass mister, as houseplants love to be misted regularly. These are useful for plants and could easily double as a Victorian era perfume dispenser if needed.
For Junior Gardeners: If your family is like mine, you hopefully have children that like to help out in the yard, at least on occasion. For little tikes how about a kid’s rake or shovel, or even a fun elephant, pig, fish or duck watering can? For my kids these also served as sand box/summertime beach accessories. Little pairs of gardening gloves always make a nice stocking stuffer for junior gardeners as well, but even more so as a hint to those teenagers to get outside a bit more and get dirty in the garden, hopefully cutting down the screen time.
For Bird Lovers: Don’t forget about our feathered friends, or those who love their feathered friends, like me. Superior, no-waste-style food is always a welcomed gift, as well as a quality tube feeder or suet cage. Maybe even one that Mr. Squirrel cannot solve or invade – that is always the challenge, right?
The Gift Card: This no-brainer option empowers the gardener in your life to buy whatever they want at their favorite garden center, either now or in spring when fresh plant material arrives. Gardeners love plants of all shapes and sizes, indoors and outdoors alike, and the gift card simply allows them to pick out whatever catches their fancy – plant, tool, container or garden art.
As we step into the holiday season, strive to make this a December to remember with the gardeners in your life. Whether for a new neighbor, young adults in their first home, or a seasoned veteran gardening friend or relative, useful options can be found at local family friendly garden centers. I sincerely hope that the holiday spirit finds everyone, and that we all embrace it, treasure it and share it with others. For us gardeners simple gifts like these bring us joy, while also easing our workload in the yard and continuing to beautify our lives. Always remember that the gift of green (talking foliage here, not cash) should always be appreciated, as special plants and garden treasures from those special to us mean the world.
