Gardener Gift Ideas

some gardener gift ideas include a garden tool appron, hori hori knife, gardening gloves and tools. (charlotte ekker wiggins photo)

Gardener Gift Ideas

It can be challenging to find gardening gifts in December. If you live in a part of the country where the gardening season ends in October, most local gardening centers close down until maybe February when early plants come in.

The following are some of my best gardener gift ideas that should be locally available:

1.Hori Hori Knife. By far my favorite gardening tool, this Japanese gardening implement can dig, cut, trim and measure. Be careful because it should be sharp.

2. Ergonomic Gardening Tools. Two of our local garden centers have their gardening tools on sale November-December. Look for the ones with springs and other elements that make using the tools easy on the hands. A garden apron that fits around a 5-gallon bucket is also handy. Pruners, trimmers and snip are all excellent choices.

3. Gardening Gloves. Good quality gardening gloves are worth every penny. Look for the ones with reinforced fingers and a velco strip to close the gloves around wrists.

4. Moisturizing Hand Creams. Gardeners should be wearing gloves but in most cases gloves come off and don’t get back on before the end of the project. Moisturizing hand creams are a wonderful reward for all of that work. Look for ones with aloe in the beauty supply section.

5. Birdhouses. Birds are natural pest control since 60% of all birds depend on caterpillars for baby food. Find one with a removable bottom for easy cleaning and directions on how to install it.

6. Tiny Gardening Tools.These may be harder to find but I saw several sets on sale at our local big box store. These are smaller gardening tools for gardeners with indoor plants.

7. Native Bee Houses. Native bees are the ones challenged with loss of habitat so a native bee house is a way to help native bees. Look for ones that are closer to 7” long and add chicken wire to the front to discourage birds from eating the hibernating bees.

8. Flexible Garden Hoses. I don’t get along with vacuums and plastic hoses so these flexible lightweight garden hoses are a great improvement. Your biggest challenge will be deciding if you want the hose to blend in with the grass or stand out.

9. Bath Salts. From basic Epsom salts to the fancier bath bombs, bath salts are a treat to any gardener who’s spent the day in the garden. There are basic ones as well as flower-scented ones. If you’re not sure, choose the basic one. These are also available in the beauty section.

10. Gardening Christmas Ornaments. My first garden-themed Christmas ornament came from a friend so don’t assume gardeners buy themed ornaments. Add a date somewhere to help add context to the gift.

Did you notice I didn’t mention books or digital gadgets? Books are hard to buy without knowing what books the gardener already has. Digital gadgets are usually only available online and this was a list of gift ideas one should be able to find locally ie. last minute gift shopping.

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Charlotte