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Gardener on your gift list? No worries!
For those who know little to nothing about plants, buying a gift for an avid gardener can seem like a daunting task. In a way, however, nothing's easier, said Emily Nolting, horticulturist with Kansas State University Research and Extension. "Gardening tools can break or wear out. New gadgets and improved plant varieties hit the market almost every day. Most gardeners have one or two items they'd love to have but probably will never buy for themselves. Besides, gardeners love useful and creative ideas, which is why interesting gardening books and magazine subscriptions are welcome," Nolting said. Non-gardeners can begin to see the range of possibilities by doing a Web search on "gardener gifts," she said. For added insurance, they can shop at the gardener's favorite nursery or garden center. Nolting said the following are among today's better or newest items--ones she'd like to receive: --A belt-mount holster for pruning shears. Or, a clip-on "pocket" to hold a cell phone. --A motion-activated sprinkler--especially for gardens troubled by foraging deer. --A boulder or at least an attractive rock that's more than a foot high and/or wide. Some garden centers sell them or have realistic-looking artificial boulders (a fraction of the weight). But, sometimes sizeable rocks can be a lucky find (free). --A lighting system to help houseplants thrive during winter or to get seedlings started before spring. It can be as small as one fluorescent light or as large as a lighted, multiple-shelf unit. --Ergonomic hand tools--trowel, dandelion digger, etc.--which now are sold per piece, in sets, or as tool heads with one attachable hand grip. "For gardeners with limited storage space, we're also beginning to see mix-and-match sets of larger tool heads, such as hoes and cultivators, that can attach to a single handle," Nolting said. "Germany's WOLF-Garten Multi-Star line introduced the modern approach to this with a system that's the 'in' thing in Europe. To a degree, it's now also setting the standard for comparison shopping here, because of the features it offers. "Multi-Star allows you to choose the length of handle or handles you need. You select the high-quality, lock-on tool heads you want, too--most of which cost less than $15 and will fit together in one tote bag. Plus, these parts come with a lifetime guarantee." --A battery-operated (no pumping!) garden sprayer. --A membership in a nearby botanic garden, conservatory or arboretum. --A gift certificate for a load of quality compost, manure or organic mulch. "Believe me. Serious gardeners will love that," Nolting said. --A "kusari doi" or rain chain--which can look like outdoor decor but actually is a functional alternative for a downspout. Rain chains often feature a vertical line of tulip or lotus shapes to help break the fall of water. Their purpose is to guide a roof's draining rainwater into a basin or rain barrel on the ground (for use later ). Traditionally, they're long-lasting copper, but less costly options are available now, too --Bonsai instructions, plus a small tree or tree-shaped shrub in a shallow pot. --A good magnifier to help in scouting for tiny insects. --Specialized gear, such as 1) rubberized gloves rated for use around strong pesticides: 2) tough, long-cuffed gloves for working with roses and other thorny plants; 3) the new "bionic" gardening gloves that apparently provide needed support and"grip," while cutting down on calluses and hand fatigue. --A tool sharpener. --A serrated gardening knife. --A style-appropriate (for the garden) ceramic pot, statue, wind chime or the like. --One of the many garden-related kits now available. They range widely and can include the materials for making or getting started with: A windowsill herb garden, terrarium, personalized stepping stones, earthworm farm, mushroom "garden," temporary or permanent greenhouse, window box, microwave flower press, houseplant "tea," forced bulbs, garden labels, indoor topiary, birdhouse. ... --Your own personally assembled "relief" kit that includes, for example, sunblock, insect repellent, itch reliever, heavy duty hand soap, Epsom salts, intensive-care lotion, sore-muscle ointment... =======Sidebar======== Try garden-related 'Wrap' for Gardener Gifts Wrapping for a gardener's gift can be a lot more interesting than a bow on a box, gift bag or holiday paper. All kinds of appropriate things can conceal and decorate the present. Potential substitutes for the wrapping include burlap, weed barrier fabric, hardware cloth, a flower pot or a watering can. Materials to tie the package closed can range from raffia or green (plant) tie-tape to twine, wire, vine or hose. "Extras" for decoration can come from garden, garage or store: evergreen twigs, small pine cones, bare branches with berries, ornamental grass plumes, interesting seed heads, empty or full seed packets, or even another small gift--e.g., canvas gloves, an assortment of twist-ties, a hand tool or string of hose washers. - Source: Emily Nolting, K-State Research and Extension landscape horticulturist Date: 12/10/07
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