The holidays are upon us and if there are gardeners in your life, here are a few suggestions.
Packet of sunflowers seeds. Photo courtesy BotanicalInterests.com
Garden gifts for children
Give youngsters a packet of seeds they can plant in spring. Something fun like red green beans or sunflowers. Make it something they like to eat, such as watermelon or a pumpkin for Halloween.
A sunprint photo kit. Kids can make photo of plants in reverse with light special light sensitive paper. This activity can be done anytime there’s sun and is just as interesting and fun for big kids and adults.
Garden gifts for first-time home buyers
You can’t go wrong with construction-strength, long-handle shovel.
Collapsible wagon. This all-weather, all-terrain wagon works to cart plants around, to haul bags of mulch, to take plant debris to the compost pile and more. Comes in several color and easily can be turned upside down to clean with the spray of the hose. It works in the garden or as a way to tote stuff to the beach.
A good, basic how-to garden book. The most recent Indiana Gardener’s Guide is out of print. However, you frequently can find it at used book stores or online used book retailers.
A folding wagon saves space but works well in the garden. Photo courtesy Gardeners.com
Holiday gifts for long-time gardeners
Even better than a shovel is a Spear Head Spade. pear-head spade, which is perfect for digging perennials and small shrubs. The 11-inch long blade narrows toward the tip, which makes it easy to dig up plants without disturbing their neighbors.
A long-handled watering wand is perfect for just about any watering job. It’s easy to reach hanging baskets and the base of in-ground plants. Opt for a showerhead type dispenser. Wisconsin-based Dramm manufacturers several one-touch models that are easy on the hand and wrist.
Give a gift certificate for a yard of compost. No gardener will be able to refuse such a thoughtful spring delivery.
The Spear Head Spade makes digging perennials and other plants easy. (C) Photo Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Holiday gift for the house bound
Give a gift subscription for the flower or plant of the month.
Gifts for nature lovers
A heater for a bird bath would be a great gift for birdwatchers and other who simply enjoy seeing birds in their landscape, even in winter.
Post a bird feeder camera and tell the birds (and viewers) to smile. These attach or are the actual feeder. They provide up-close and personal views of birds. Promise, you’ll smile.